I may not be very close with my Dad but I love him very much. He loves his children dearly and equally. He may be strict to us but I know he is doing it for our own good. My Daddy is a pastor and he carries a very heavy burden. But despite that, he never loses time for his family. For me, he is the most amazing person in the whole world.
My Dad is very supportive.
I still remember the very first day I went to elementary school. I came late so I was feeling very shy and nervous but my Dad was with me and told me not to be shy and encouraged me to go inside the classroom and participate in class.
It was also during my first time joining a contest, specifically, an English reading contest when I saw my Dad's widest smile. I was very nervous that time because I don't know what to do and my parents are not with me. Thank God, I won first place. When I walked out of the room, I was surprised to see my Dad with a very big smile and I can tell from his smile and his eyes that he is so proud of me. That time, my Dad is already a pastor but he was also selling fish (riding in a motorcycle and goes to other places) to provide for our needs, especially for the milk and other baby stuff for my siblings. I saw that my Dad hasn't changed his clothes yet. I knew that he went directly to school to watch my contest. I was so happy back then. Up until now, I still remembered the nostalgic feelings I felt that time.
When I go to other places to join competitions, my Dad can't go with me because he was busy but he reminds me all the time that he will be supporting me always. He also tells me to trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not unto my own understanding (which can be read in Proverbs 3:5). That's why it became my habit to recite that Bible verse before every contest.
When I was in Grade 3. I was told by my adviser that there are Math classes/tutorials on the next municipality which will be held on Saturday. I really wanted to go because Mathematics is my favorite subject and I want to learn more. I was doubtful because I know that every Saturday, my Dad is going to preach the word of God, so nobody can accompany me. But my Dad told me that he will go with me and he will share God's word there while waiting for my classes to finish. I can't forget those times and how happy I am especially when my Dad always bought snacks for me (best part HAHAHAHAHA).
When it was my first time with my sister to sing in front of a large crowd, my Dad was also there. He was the one who taught us. He was the one who played the guitar. He was the one who encouraged us to sing.
When I was in Grade 10, there was a debate in our Political Science subject. At first, I really wanted to be on the affirmative side but then, I was put on the opposition team. I don't know what to say so I asked my Mom about it because I'm not that close with my Dad but my Dad heard me and he gave me lots and lots of reasons and rebuttals. I gave other information to my teammates because I can't say everything due to the the limited time. Because of those, our team won during the debate.
I also joined a spelling contest. I forgot about other rules and 'exceptions to the rule' in reading and spelling. So I decided to text my Mom and ask her about it because she is a teacher and she knows those. I didn't know that my Dad brought the phone with him. He replied telling me that it was him and told me about the rules that he knew. He also told me that he prayed for me to win the competition.
My Dad is a 'man of his word'. He is a man of principle.
What my Dad says, I know he will fulfill it. He stands for what he said. I remember when I was in Grade 6, another contest was scheduled on Sunday. Sunday is the Lord's day and it is the time of our worship so I told my teacher that I can't go with them. When Sunday came, one of the teachers went to our house to convince my Dad to let me go with them, but my Dad stood firm on his stand and didn't change his mind. I was very thankful that my Dad is a man who loves God, first of all.
I remember back then, my Dad always tells us that if we keep on going out during church services, he will spank us. We wouldn't listen and still goes out even if the service is still going on. That's why after the church service, we will always be spanked (HAHAHAHAHA). And thanks to those, by God's grace, now we are disciplined not to go out during church services.
My Dad is my savior.
It happened during our church's Family Day. We went to the beach to celebrate it. Me, my sister, and my Dad were swimming, we were riding/floating using a 'salbabida' (I don't know what it is in English). Me and my little sister don't know how to swim. We were competing with other church members on who will reach the farthest. We've reached very far and it was so deep. My Dad decided to push back the 'salbabida' so we can go back. When my Dad let go of the 'salbabida' so he can push it to the opposite side, me and my sister lost balance. We lost hold of the 'salbabida'. We drowned. I drank a lot of seawater. My Dad tried his best to lift the both of us while shouting for help. He was a having a hard time trying to save us both. He really tried to do his best until help came. That was a near-death experience. I thank God because He has given us another chance to live and my Dad for doing all he can to save us.
My Dad is the strongest person I've ever known.
My Mom only told me this recently. My Dad and Mom didn't have a child for three years. When my Mom finally became pregnant, they were so happy. Especially when they knew that they're having twins, both girls. When we finally came to this world, they were more happy. After a few days, my Dad was told by our doctor to buy medications for my twin sister. That's when my Dad knew that my twin has complications. When my Dad went home to my Mom, he was smiling. When my Mom asked him how are we, he smiled and told my Mom that we are okay. After six days, my twin sister died. My Mom was very hurt but my Dad never left her side and he keeps on comforting her even though he is obviously hurting, too. He told my Mom not to give up because I am still here, that she needs to take care of me, she needs to keep on going because another baby is waiting for her. My Dad never showed my Mom that he is crying and my Mom said that she is very thankful for that because if ever she saw my Dad crying, maybe she would lose hope and will be hurting more.
My Dad is very versatile.
He is a multitasker. He can almost do everything. He is like Superman. He is a pastor but he can also be a carpenter, an electrician, a painter, a welder, a musician, and many more.
My Dad is very patient, humble, thoughtful, caring and the list goes on. I can't enumerate it all.
I really thank God for giving me a father like him. Maybe I don't say it to my Dad a lot of times but I really love him.
If I were to have a spouse in the future, I would like him to be like my Dad. My Dad has set the standards way too high. My Dad is the best.
I hope all tatay have that. My father didn't care at me and I didn't care at him physically but I care at him emotionally. Good article indeed