Have you ever taken a close look at a pillar?
The ones that hold up bridges or support massive buildings. They stand tall, firm, and beautiful. We admire what we can see from the outside, but we rarely think about what lies within. We don't see the steel buried inside or the countless layers of concrete that give it the strength to carry such enormous weight.
That, to me, is the perfect picture of a father.
We see the man standing before us, but we do not always see the strength it takes to be him. We don't see the sacrifices he makes, the burdens he carries silently, the worries he keeps to himself, or the countless times he chooses to stay strong even when he feels weak.
Fathers are the pillars of the family. Just as a pillar supports a building, a father supports his home. Without that pillar, the whole structure is at risk of falling apart.
Many fathers wake up every day with the responsibility of holding their families together. They provide, protect, guide, encourage, and keep going, even on the days when they feel exhausted. They often carry more than the world will ever know.
They are truly a blessing to our families and to society. It is difficult to imagine what our homes would look like without them.
So today, dear fathers, take your flowers.
No... you deserve more than a bouquet.
Take the whole garden.
Because without you, so many things would fall apart. Today, we celebrate you. We honour you. We want the world to know how much you mean to us. Thank you for every sacrifice, every sleepless night, every silent prayer, every lesson, every correction, every hug, and every act of love, even the ones you expressed without words.
One day will never be enough to thank you for everything you do.
And yes, people often say they hustle to make Mama proud. But Daddy, just so you know, we hustle to make you proud too. We hope that one day you will look at us and smile, knowing that every sacrifice was worth it.
We love you more than words can say.
We pray that God keeps you in good health and grants you many more years to enjoy the fruits of your labour.
To every father around the world, thank you for your strength. Thank you for carrying burdens we may never fully understand. Thank you for standing tall, even when life tries to bring you down.
Today, and every day, we celebrate you.
Happy Father's Day.