‘Why I Love My Father’: A Father’s Day Tribute

(Image: Personal Excellence; Image)

Note: This is a tribute post from PE to all fathers around the world, and I’m republishing it to wish all fathers a Happy Father’s Day. To all fathers, may you have the most wonderful time with your family! :D

Thank you everyone for your wonderful responses to the Father’s Day Tribute. :D It was truly very heartwarming for me to read all your beautiful entries surrounding your father and your relationship with him.

Today is Father’s Day and I’d like to dedicate this post to all the wonderful fathers, father figures, and male mentors out there who have touched the lives of people out there: be it your own kids, others’ kids, your family, people you’ve mentored, people you’ve coached, and the world at large. Thank you for all that you do. Thank you for being you. We appreciate your existence and the often times silent but impactful role you have played in our lives.

As you read the beautiful, beautiful tributes below, know that these can well be the very things that your children (if you have any) and the people you have touched have to say about you; just that they don’t actively articulate these thoughts all the time.

For the rest of you, this tribute is get us to actively celebrate our love for our fathers (and mothers) by way of words and actions. Whatever gratitude and love we have for them does not get received if we don’t express them in the first place. Show your dad (and your mom) some love today, tomorrow, and every day. Give him a card. Take him out for dinner. Give him a hug. Share your joy with him. Celebrate the kinship you have together.

I present to you, “Why I Love My Father”, by the readers of PE:

From Cheryl (New Brunswick, Canada):

“What I love about my father, and have only come to appreciate in recent years, is how he simply accepts ‘what is’ in life. He seems to naturally embody “yoga”, which I’ve practiced and taught for many years! No matter what his experiences bring him (e.g. loss, joy, pain), he never comments or complains. Instead, he smiles and asks about your day. Happy Father’s Day, dad – I love you.

From Susan:

My father carried a laminated quote in his wallet for years. Whenever I got stressed, he would take it out and tell me to read it. About a year before he died, he gave me the card to keep. He said he didn’t need it any more. It said, “Don’t sweat the small stuff. And it’s all small stuff. If you can’t fight, and you can’t flee, flow.”

From Giang:

I really do not know what to say about my father. Just mean that I love him. He loves us naturally and keeps worrying about us even when we got married and had children. Though he is not rich, he tries to give us some little money as when I was a small girl. I am always his little daughter although I am 32 years old now.

From Esin (Istanbul, Turkey):

[My father] did all he can do to maintain the best education for me and my elder brother. He worked 7 days a week from 5 am to 8ppm, all day standing up and never lost his joy of life and the humor. Never saw him sick or complaining dramatically. He says “Get to know everything even if you do not apply or use” and “Take care of yourself well so no one suffers becouse of you.” He suffered a lot becouse of my mom’s illnesses. I still have his voice “yabadaba duuuu” coming to play with me when I was 3-4 years old, and he taught me how to read when I was at age of 5.

If I have any success in my life this is because I am able to understand thoroughly and well what I read and I owe this speciality first to him. I appreciate him so much, for being in my life.

From Charles (Sydney, Australia):

Fathers Day is celebrated in September here in Australia.

Sadly, my father died in 1975 when I was in my last year of school. When I think about him now, he was a quiet man who enjoyed listening to classical music and opera, enjoyed woodworking and made a desk for me which my daughter is now using.

What I loved about him was that he supported my interests and activities (electronics!) as he as was an engineer. I wished I had developed a stronger communication and bond with him in my teenage years – but that is easy to say now that my adolescent years are past.

What I remember the most was that he was always there supporting our family and providing a pillar of strength.

From Sanjay Kumar Agarwal:

In my early childhood, I was frequently surprised when I saw my father struggling for small expenses, which I often used to demand from him. Being a child I was unable to understand his nature as to why he sometimes used to refuse for making some expenses, however small it may be. I could understand the secret when I myself became a father and struggled to manage between ever increasing list of expenses and expectations and my resources to meet the same. When our demands increased, my father started working part time at home. He knew typing and he joined one advocate during evening hours. At late evenings, he used to visit the advocate and do some typing work at this chamber. He used to bring some work even at home and used to work till late night. I often got surprised at his taking pains for some extra money, which at times appeared to be very small amount.

But one thing always surprised me. Whenever I asked to buy a book or magazine, he never refused. He used to provide any assistance as far as our career was concerned. He encouraged my brother to join the institute of Chartered Accountants and managed his fees etc. He provided much needed support for me to prepare for competitive examinations. He sent me to Allahabad for taking good coaching classes. He sent me to New Delhi for studies. He always managed money for our studies.

When I got appointment as an Inspector of Central Excise in the Ministry of Finance, Government of India and my first salary was disbursed to me, I was happy as it was about ten times than my pocket money and I used to live in another city all alone having all the money to spend on myself.

When I returned home, one fine morning I heard my father talking with one neighbor. He was telling him very proudly that I have started my career at a salary which is higher than his salary at the end of his career and this was a proud moment for him. A dream coming true that his sons should become better than himself as far as success in career and earnings is concerned.

I was unable to move on my feet. I was ageing about 23 years and rapidly past 23 years flashed into my mind in a moment. I could now understand the meaning of my father’s aspirations. I could understand that whatever decisions my father was taking in past or whatever financial hardships he was facing was determined by his goal of making his children more successful in life than himself. At this place, I could understand the power of goal setting. I could see very clearly the ultimate goal in his mind towards which he thrived for whole of his life and he succeeded.

What a father he is! I heartily salute his feelings with thanks & humbleness. If today, I and my brother both are successful in life, this is due to the foresighted goal setting of my father. He never spoke to us on this topic. Probably he was not an authority on the same, but he had the greatness to communicate by example.

With heartily thanks to him, I wish him Happy Father’s Day.

From Ranjit Chowdhury:

Father is a person who
Lets you experiment life in your own way and pulls you up when you fall.
Lets you get angry on him and loves you more after that.
Lets you see things your own way and then gives his view point.
Is with you always,
Specially when you need him !!!

From Sibram Nisonko:

My father gave two most precious things for my whole life. One was love with sacrifice; the second was education with spirituality.

From Jodi (USA):

For all the fathers in my life, I love that they are kind. I love that day when I quickly added some explanations to a presentation and they remembered it for being exciting and different and were so proud to show me off to everyone. I love that day when they took me to the store and bought me that toy that I had been eyeing for so long, because they knew how much it meant to me. I love that day when they got the special ingredients we needed to make those treats for class, and patiently stood by and helped me cook. I love that time they took care of my mom.

From Julie (Philippines; Now living in Vancouver, Canada)

I remember my father when he was still alive, I was in high school he used to carry me from flood barrier just to go to school. He never argue with my mother. He never raised his voice even he’s so mad. I miss him so much that I always remember him during fathers day. He is one of nicest person in this world…its too bad that I didn’t got a chance to show him how much appreciate the value of his personality.

From Joseph:

No matter what I do or what I say, I know, for a fact, know my dad will be there to support me.

From Vania P (Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies)

My father has taught me the importance of hard work and sacrifice not by only his words but through HIS examples. As a child I saw him awaking extra early to take care of the animals in our farm and absorbing long hours of traffic to and from work. He would often teach morals by saying ‘a liar is a thief, a thief is a murderer’. This proverb taught me the importance of honesty and has assisted me in decisions and situations I have faced in life so far. I have learned from him that hard work brings rewards and nothing is much worth without sacrifice.

I would also like to mention someone who has touched my life in a remarkable way. He embraced me with love and support when I felt the world abandoned me during my trials. His name is Ramsawak Hayban and even though he is in another world, I feel he is still with me guiding and protecting me with his love and care where I am. He has also taught me the power of love and faith.

Thank you daddy and thank you Mr. Hayban- may you both be forever blessed with health & happiness.

From Julie (France):

What I love and appreciate about him is his patience, his manner to listen to others and take them into consideration, his inner strength.

From Magdalena:

[My father] has a sense of good movies and humor and knows perfectly all the best old time movies. He would sacrifice everything for me. Has great sense of humor, good music and excellent knowledge of old time movies. He isn’t perfect, but he is good and simple and loves me in his own way.

From Hang (Vietnam):

My Dad has always been the one who readily listens to my troubles/concerns and gives me his best advice. But sometimes I think that his advice is irrelevant and ignore his sharing. Despite that, he would still support me and look after me. Thinking about him and his care for me always make me cry a lot, especially when I recall how he used to prepare meals and do housework for me so that I could concentrate on my study.

I love him and am grateful for him being my Father. I hope I will soon find out my life purpose and live it fully to make my Dad proud of me.

From Krys (Boston, USA):

Through his life, and ultimately even his death, my father taught me that no obstacle is too large to overcome if I put my mind to it. On the road of life there are often many ups and downs, but they are part of the journey and experiencing them makes us who we are. In the end, all that matters is doing what we enjoy and sharing our life with the people we love.

From Mwansa:

The greatest gift dad gave me is, Responsibility of my Thoughts, Attitude and Actions. Told me the seed of greatness in Responsibility. He was a great man.

From Wanxuan (Singapore):

My father fed and carried me when I was a baby (though my traditional grandpa won’t agree to males doing chores), drove me to school every day during my primary and secondary school years and always brings home some tasty food from outside for our family to share. He also does chores such as ironing, mopping (My mum is lucky hehe). While my mum is a go-getter and sometimes impatient, he is a relaxed sort of parent.

It feels good chilling and watching occasional tv with him after finishing major tasks. My family also enjoyed fun activities such as kite-flying and scrabble when I was young. He was never a vocal person and never said “I love you”, even to my mum, but his actions spell love. I’m grateful for having my dad in my life!

From TSK. Raman:

Oh! My Father, he was quite an adorable gentleman.

He loved our mom and was always faithful to her. He loved us, and had our best in mind always. We were disciplined, yet, he would nudge us to improve, but it never felt motivated by anger… only love. He was quick to forgive. We were taken care of. We did fun stuff and had nice things, but not pampered or spoit because he knew where to draw the line.

He was unselfish. He loved his family – his father, mother, educated his brothers and sisters, and got them married too, all from his savings, despite looking after his immediate family which was us.

He worked hard at his job not because of the money, but because he believed in what he did. He knew when to quit for the day. He loved eating meals together. He lived within his means. He knew the difference between want and need. He cared about people more than money. He looked for opportunities to serve… especially those who couldn’t help themselves, and was also generous.

He was always honest, both to us and to others. I never remember him telling a lie.

He knew the importance of keeping his body healthy – not for vain reasons, but to remain effective to this world as long as possible.

From Qin Tang, (Minnesota, USA. Originally China):

My father is the best handyman I know. My grandfather passed away when my father was still an infant, leaving behind 6 kids and a wife. My father left home at age 10 to make a living for himself. He didn’t have much education, but he learned to do a lot of things. He made all the furniture in our home. He was the Mr. Fix-it in the neighborhood; he could fix anything.

Now my father is 80 years old, still healthy and sharp in his mind. He can remember every relative’s phone number and we have a lot of them. I am amazed by his many talents. My father is a man with few words. He shares his love with his acts of service. I love and miss him.

Happy Father’s Day from Minnesota to Suzhou!

From Naveena:

My father is the hero of my life. He taught me how to face the life with patience and brave. Gave me whole freedom in my life. I love him… I am lucky to have him as my father , each and every birth I need him as my father.

From Celes, Singapore

My father has done more for me than he has ever let on. He has always quietly supported me in my life, in every step of the way. He has always been working hard to support me and the family since I was young, never complaining at any point at all. He has cultivated important values of hard work, humility, and respect (for others) in me. I’m truly, truly, blessed to have a father like him and I love him with all my heart. I would like to be his daughter again in my next life, as well as in all my other lifetimes after that. Happy Father’s Day dad!! ♥

From Shrikant (Maharashtra, India):

My father taught me the realities of life. At times only he was earning he has to work hard as a primary teacher. He used to leave the village at 6.00 AM in the morning and return by 10.00 PM in the night. He travelled daily on bicycle from the village to school which was 7 kms away.

He is a great father, and not less than a saint for me. He is an inspiration for us. I learned to move further in tougher times from him. Anything can be achieved with a positive attitude and without harming anybody. He quotes: “Start early, follow ethics, think positive, use sense and do it.”

From Luna:

My father respects me by granting trust and freedom to me. He let me experience my life by my own way and only comments when it is necessary. He is a romatic, silent man. Thanks, papa.

From Alexa Khan:

My father taught me to believe in myself. His favorite saying was” Can’t is in the book of fools” and this and many of his sayings have been my own internal motivational soundtrack throughout my life. “Procrastination is the thief of time”; ‘don’t leave for tomorrow what you can do today”; Because of my father I understood from a young age that perseverance and hard work were the keys to everything in life; school, work, relationships.

From Caro G:

What I love most about my father… where to start? I love that he gave me a fantastic example of how to rise above everything. From a somewhat difficult childhood, not being able to finish high school, he just kept going, kept doing better, and gave his love and attention to everything. He got an associate’s degree, worked a variety of jobs, but I always knew he was there for me. I half-joke I’m still single because I’ll never find a guy who’s as good to me as my Dad. He still works each day (approaching 70) and I know he’s always in my corner. Best. Dad. EVER.

From Polycarp Agoi (Kenya, Africa):

Honestly my dad is the best dad that God ever made since the creation of the first dad. If dreams come true, he knows how to make them true. I have achived a lot in life because of the wise advice and comfort he has given me. Right now, I’m working on my dreams. My prayer daily is for him to see me become THE PRESIDENT of my country. He has trained me to become one. Thanks Dad.

I’d like to end off with this quote:

(Image: Personal Excellence; Photo: Ozgur POYRAZOGLU)

Happy, happy father’s day to all the dads in the world! :D

(Images: Sunset, Father, Baby, Father, Son, Kite flying, Dance, In a plane, Sunset)