My Father My Hero

22
7.4K followers
Updated

Around the time of my birth my father started working for himself. My mother told me that he worked such long hours that he would be gone before we got up in the morning and we would have had our supper, had our bath and be long asleep in the evening by the time he got home from work.

Of course I can't remember that because I was a newborn baby. What I do remember is when I was about 4 or 5 years old I could sense when it was getting late in the afternoon and I would grab some toys and sit on the floor by the front door to wait out the time until my daddy got home.

My mom would always tell me that it would be a while before my dad gets home, why don't I come and play in the house instead of in the entrance hall?

Nope I am quite happy to sit here and wait it out thank you!

The moment my dad came home was always the highlight of my day. My dad was (and still always is) good natured, full of jokes and so full of love.

Weekends were spent going on hikes, caving, braaing (barbecuing for non- South Africans), waterskiing, camping and various other activities with my mom and dad.

While I had such a deep love and infatuation with my father little did I know at that time that not every father spends his entire weekend (and every weekend) with his kids.

Even when he watched rugby he included us, either watching on tv at home, or taking us to the live game with him. Yes I was a girl, and I always wanted to be with my dad, so bring on the rugby!

As I grew older I started to see that not all dads are created equal.

A close friend of mine was being beaten by her dad, along with her sister and mother.

Another friend's dad was cheating on her mom with other women all the time. He was hardly ever home and on the odd occasion when he was home there was always a raging fight about other women.

I saw that most friends didn't see their dads all weekend, at times (or often) their dads chose to be out with their mates or at the pub, or perhaps they were home, but they spent a lot of time doing other things that did not include their kids.

Other parents were divorced. Very few of my friends were not from a broken home or a home without problems.

My dad is different, he was interested in his wife, he was interested in us kids. My dad is absolutely amazing and someone I have always looked up to and loved fiercely my whole life.

My husband now leaves home at 6am every morning, before any of us wake up.

When my children get home from playschool and they have received any work to bring home they take it out of their bags and put it next to his laptop on his desk. They know that he will see it as soon as he gets home and take a look.

In the afternoons as it starts getting late my kids start asking what time it is and when will their pappa be home. Sometimes he gets home so late that we eat before he gets home.

When the door opens (often after 7pm) two little beings jump up and race to knock him over, clamoring for his attention and telling him when they did during the day. He listens to them and gives them hugs and kisses. Then goes to check his desk for any possible gifts that have been left there.

He never goes to the pub or "out with the boys". Honestly I wouldn't mind if he did, but he has never wanted to. He just wants to be home with his family.

On the weekends he takes them for walks on the beach, he takes them out on the road riding their bikes. Every single weekend he takes them with him to visit his dad (Oupa).

Now while there are times I have disagreements with my husband, and yes he can drive me batty...(I mean hello, we're married right?), the one thing that is the most important to me is having a good father for my children. And that is one place that I will never be able to find fault with my husband.

When we became parents I saw a new side to my husband, a side that didn't exist before - he had become a dad and he is an amazing dad. It made me fall in love with my husband all over again, in a completely new way.

Login
Create Your Free Wealthy Affiliate Account Today!
icon
4-Steps to Success Class
icon
One Profit Ready Website
icon
Market Research & Analysis Tools
icon
Millionaire Mentorship
icon
Core “Business Start Up” Training

Recent Comments

14

A beautiful story and well worth sharing. I am sure the balance you get from such a happy situation is one of the reason your hard work brings such positive results.

Thanks for this.

great memories of your dad that will last a life time what a blessing for you and your family communityhelpingpeople.com

Great Fathers day post, thanks for sharing

What a beautiful post Lynne, you are blessed.

I have fond memories of my Dad as well, Lynne. He passed away back in Oct. 1994. It is quite obvious in your great blog article how much he has meant throughout your life!

I am so lucky to still have my dad. I dread the day....

I am so sorry for your loss Jeff.

Aw... Lynne...so beautifully told. Lovely getting to know you on a deeper level through your relationship to your Dad. I also used to wait for my Dad to come home from work and run up to when he got home. And I too have chosen a husband who is an amazing Dad.

How fortunate we both are :)

I'm not surprised you are getting so much traffic now, you are captivating!

Love this blog! Thanks for the warm read that took me away from the business side of things here on WA.

That is such a great tribute to your dad and husband!

See more comments

Login
Create Your Free Wealthy Affiliate Account Today!
icon
4-Steps to Success Class
icon
One Profit Ready Website
icon
Market Research & Analysis Tools
icon
Millionaire Mentorship
icon
Core “Business Start Up” Training