Honouring the pillar of strength and love

Observer

22-06-2025

A long time ago, a child was born into a world of questions. And once upon a day, there was a man who carried the sky. He did not wear armour or have a sword. He didn't chase applause or seek the spotlight. Instead, he woke up every morning, laced up his worn-out shoes, and silently lifted the weight of the world for the people he loved. This is just one story of a man called Father.
In truth, every father writes a different kind of story, but each one is built on the same foundation: love, sacrifice and a deep desire to see their children thrive. It is often said that there is a certain poetry to fatherhood, not always spoken in words, but written in actions.
A father's love doesn't always come wrapped in hugs or expressed through flowery speech. Sometimes, it arrives in the form of a packed lunchbox, a well-timed lecture you didn't know you needed, or a hand on your back when the world feels too heavy. He teaches not by preaching, but by doing. Not by shouting, but by showing. He is the compass in a storm, the lighthouse that stands firm even when the waves crash hardest.
Fathers are the architects of the unseen. They build safety out of silence, and strength out of softness. You might not always notice it, but he is always there, holding up the roof when the storms hit.
Often, a father is the midnight mechanic, the on-call comedian and the human GPS. He gives advice during car rides and imparts life lessons over lunch breaks. Fathers don't live forever, but their influence does. It is reflected in the way we speak, love, build and dream. It shows in how we stand tall during moments of doubt, and in the kindness we offer to those who need it. The legacy of a good father becomes part of who we are.
To every child, a father is the first giant you ever meet. He throws you into the air not to scare you, but to teach you trust. He stands behind your first steps, your first stumbles, your first heartbreaks, close enough to catch you, far enough to let you grow. Though the giant may seem to shrink as we grow taller, his love never does.
Fatherhood takes many forms: biological dads, stepfathers, adoptive dads, grandfathers, uncles, mentors, even older brothers who step up and take on a parental role. So when we commemorate Father's Day on June 21, we honour all those who provide guidance, protection and love.
Father's Day dates back over a century. It was first observed in the United States thanks to Sonora Smart Dodd, who wanted to honour her father, a single parent who raised six children. Inspired by Mother's Day, she advocated for a similar celebration of fathers. The first official Father's Day was celebrated in Washington State in 1910 and was declared a national holiday in the US in 1972.
Father's Day is a heartfelt celebration to recognise and appreciate the vital role fathers and father figures play in our lives. More than just a time for cards and gifts, it is a moment to reflect on the sacrifices, wisdom and love they have given us throughout our lives.
Whether your father is still with you or lives on in your memories, Father's Day is a time to honour his impact. It's a day to say thank you for the protection offered, the lessons taught and the unconditional love given.
To the stepdads, granddads, foster dads, big brothers and uncles. To the men who stood in the shadows so we could walk in the light, and to those who never asked to be heroes but became one anyway. We see you. We remember. We carry you with us. You are all remembered in the stories we tell, the lives we lead and the love that echoes forever.