BEHIND every successful man, there is a woman. This is not a sweeping statement but one perhaps best described as “the mother of all tributes” to the fair sex.
Is there an equivalent for men? Does “behind every successful woman, there is a man” sound right? Here we are, of course, not talking about any “Kia Ang” or “Kia Boh” club.
Admittedly, there are no perfect fathers – the ones with all positive attributes. But dads can just be as supportive and caring in looking after the brood. Fairweather friends will show their true colours in time of need but of all the people we can depend on as staunch pillars of support, dads are deserving front-runners (no disrepect to mums). In a crunch, most youngsters can turn to their fathers for help and are usually given it. The kids, it seems, come first and most dads make sure it stays that way.
Usually, male divorcees do not quibble and grouch over who the other men are but most will fight tooth and nail when it comes to custodial and visitation rights. For after all, what manner of man is he that when his son asks for a loaf of bread, he gives him a stone, and a snake when he asks for a fish.
Some dads may be aloof outwardly but deep down, they will be hard put to brush aside the time-honoured notion that blood is thicker than water. At the end of the day, your son is still your son just as your father is still your father whatever your differences!
Dads who appear indifferent externally come from the old school that teaches that men must be stoic (and macho) under all circumstances but still, most of them will think nothing of scaling Everest to defend their flesh and blood.
And what better kudos in recognition of dad’s role as the family’s breadwinner than the designation of every June 19 as Father’s Day. It fits the bill nicely.
So today is Father’s Day – a secular holiday inaugurated in the early 20th century to complement Mother’s Day in celebrating fatherhood and parenting by males, and to honour and commemorate fathers and forefathers.
A driving force behind the establishment of Father’s Day was Sonora Smart Dodd, born in Creston, Washington. She was inspired by Anna Jarvis’ efforts to establish Mother’s Day. Although she initially suggested June 5, the anniversary of her father’s death, she did not provide the organisers with enough time to make arrangements, and the celebration was deferred to the third Sunday of June. The first Father’s Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910, in Spokane, USA.
In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson made Father’s Day a holiday to be celebrated on the third Sunday of June. The holiday was not officially recognised until 1972 during Richard Nixon’s presidency.
Father’s Day is celebrated worldwide nowadays. In recent years, retailers have adapted to the holiday by promoting male-oriented gifts. Schools and other children’s programmes commonly have activities to make Father’s Day gifts.
A father holds a special place in a child’s life. Some fathers are involved with sports teams, outdoor games, and having lots of fun while other dads enjoy helping children learn new skills. It could be anything from baking to building bird houses. It really doesn’t matter how Dads spend time with their children so long as they do spend time together.
Father’s Day is also a time to remember just how special is your Dad. Here are some tributes paid to fathers by their grow-up children.
From a doctor:
My dad is the greatest there is to me. When I’m down, he is available to me 24 hours a day. When the sun does not come out, he is my light. When fear is around, he is my cover to hide under. When I’m in need, he is my bank. We have had differences about lifestyles but in a way, we still know we cannot live without the other. I ask God, please save him forever.
From a female student to a very special stepfather:
In today’s life, you hear of kids growing up without a father. Here’s my story of how I have a father and my Dad. When I was five, my single mom almost died. She came out of the hospital, and we moved to a small town where there were no jobs. She had to make a life for me. Then she met Chris.
You see, I say I have a father but I have my Dad, Chris. He always made sure I had a Christmas tree. He bought me a home and has seen me grow and has always been there for me through good and bad times. He taught me how to cut the grass and taught me how to drive, and he also gave me the most beautiful baby sister anyone could ever ask for.
I hear kids talk bad about their stepfathers but mine is very special to me. He is my Dad. He has raised me, taught me to be brave and has taught me everything I know. He loves me no matter what, and I love him not only for caring for me but also because I know he will always be there for me.
I want to say thank you for the great house you bought for me. Thank you for loving me and my Mom and thank you for giving me my baby sister. I will follow in your footsteps.
And Dad, you were waiting to hear how I did in school by Father’s Day. My principal mailed a letter to you and Mom, honoring you two for my Honour Roll achievements and my behavior. I know I didn’t let you down. You taught me well.
From a nurse to his father:
My dad has always been there for me. For as long as I can remember, there has never been a time when my Dad didn’t come through for me. As an only child, I pretty much had Dad wrapped around my little fingers, and, needless to say, there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for me. I’m 38 years old now and still, my Dad pampers me. I’ll freely admit I’m spoiled rotten, but I can also say that I appreciate my Dad more than words could ever convey. I’ll never forget the day I got married. Here we are standing at the back of the church, ready to walk, and my dad leans over and says, “Honey, why are you so nervous?”
I remember that and laugh; I remember that and cry.
My dad has never been the real emotional type, and I have only seen him cry twice – once when his father died, and once when I was battling some problems with depression.
There is no doubt in my mind that my Dad is the best dad in the entire world. He has sacrificed for me time and again, and he continues to sacrifice for his grandchildren, who are the lights of his life!
My dad is 74 now, and I know that I won’t have him around forever. The thought of losing my Dad is one not to be comprehended but I do know one thing – no one in my life has had the impact on me that my Dad has had. There is nothing I would not do for my dad.
At lunch time yesterday, the DJ was really thoughtful to play an oldie called ‘Oh My Pa Pa’ by the late Eddie Fisher over the local airwaves to mark Father’s Day today. The lyrics – a fitting tribute to fathers everyday today – are as follows: