Every now and then, I come across news articles that’s heartwarming. Netizens like to put it across as ‘faith in humanity restored’. Yeah I’ve read tons of articles that’s nice and loving, but this takes the cake.
Over the years, I’ve met so many peers who struggle in family problems. Very often, it has to do with the fathers. I see it in my family & extended family as well. Fathers do not understand how much impact they have on their children’s well-being. Both Father & Mother plays a vital role in the family. The mother cannot play the role of both, likewise for the father.
In my growing up years, I had complete freedom unlike other kids who had curfews. Money wasn’t ever a worry because my parents made sure I had more than enough. Kids envied me when they saw my dad’s porsche. Something they never understood was that most of the time, I was alone. I had to beg my dad to play badminton, billiard and swimming with me. I hated fishing, but since I knew my dad liked it, I tagged along. I don’t think I understood loneliness back then. I was just a kid, but I knew something was not right about that empty feeling.
There was once I saw my mum cry while watching me play soccer alone. I asked her why and she wouldn’t explain to me. Looking back now, I know why; she knew I was lonely. Perhaps that’s why she tried to make up for my lost time with my dad by giving me everything I asked for. Perhaps the reason why I’m so good *smirks* with computing, billiard and guitar is because I devoted most of my childhood time into it. Perhaps this was why I went into relationships one after another.
I remember going through a large part of my life without my dad to celebrate with. While my mum was there for me, there was an empty feeling in me knowing that my Dad wasn’t around to witness my milestones. However hard my mum tried, It just didn’t work.
This went on for years and years.
Today, my dad is still pretty much the same; he hasn’t changed a single bit. But I love this man more than ever. He may not ever change, but I still love him all the same. Well it seems ironic, since he has caused me so much pain in my life. It took me many years to finally reconcile with my dad, and it couldn’t have been done if not for God’s love in my life. Just like the story of the prodigal son, The heavenly father’s love is unconditional.
So why do I love my father after all these?
I learnt to love because God first loved me.
Love is unconditional.
And so, it pains me when I see my peers struggling with the same issue that I once faced before. Reading articles like the above-mentioned just tears me up a little. The role of a father is so important, yet many fathers today still get caught up in their work, neglecting their child.
From some of the comments in the article, people just don’t seem to get it.
Money is not the reason nor excuse to neglect your children. If you were to appreciate and take every day as if it were your last, would you rather be working or spending time with your children? If you were at your final moments on your death bed, what would your thoughts be? The pile of work you haven’t done?
It doesn’t matter if he’s a multi-millionaire or the average collared worker. All these milestones in a child’s life is extremely precious. Once missed, it’s gone. There’s no going back.
Granted, there will never be perfect fathers. But through your own experiences and situations you’ve witnessed, It’s about time our generation learn from it. Let’s not repeat the same cycle as the previous generations did.
Be there for your child, when it’s your turn to be a parent.
It’s not an option.