Jump to Comments
I have come to realize that there is a big difference between a father and a dad. There are the obvious things that separate the two like a father basically gives his sperm to MAKE the baby but a dad is actually around when the baby is born and will be throughout the childs life.
Then there are the not so obvious things that differenciate the two. A father can be a man who IS around when the baby is born is there throughout the child’s life but he doesnt provide much to the childs emotional and spiritual well-being. Only a real Dad gives a damn about all aspects of his child’s life. It doesnt matter how he shows it but as long as he does, it’s, to a certain extent, good enough.
I’m lucky because my dad is the type of Dad who fits the bill in all aspects. He lectures me endlessly. He tells me off. He is overprotective and overbearing. He treats me like a child even though I’m not legally an adult. He gives me limited privacy. He wants me to be single for the rest of my live. He wants me to stay in his house till I’m 35 years of age. He has high expectations and a strong, strange way on how I should lead my life (He doesnt impose it much on me though).
And yes, I feel frustrated at times but despite it all, I love my dad and also every one of his lectures,overprotective attitude and strange ideas. Cause, truth be told, all this little actions of his tells me that hey, he cares a whole of a lot and he’s not the type who’s gonna throw me out on my ass as soon as I’m an adult. It shows his true, everlasting, overflowing love he has for me.
You see, I understand my dad. He is not the type of guy who gives hugs randomly nor is he the type that has heart to heart chats with me. Heck, he’s not even the type who comes for every single event of mine at school!
And for years I wondered why he never came. The thought that he dint care did enter my mind more than once. Years later I found out the reason why he dint like to come for this little events of mine (Sports, debate, plays). He was scared. Yeah, he was scared that I’d lose or get hurt or that I might get distracted if I saw him. He was also afraid that he might get emotional if I did win and he said his nerves could’nt stand it.He prefered to sit alone at home, in the hall, in his favorite chair with the phone in his hand, for any sort of news that my mum might have (She came for EVERYTHING).
Then, he’d take us out for dinner when we came home.
That’s my dad.
The kind of guy who will wake up in the middle of the night to come and check on his children. The kind of guy who got all excited and bought enough medicine for a whole African tribe when one of my siblings got sick. The type of guy who even though his paycheck was low that month, would take us all out to eat. The type of guy who will send me and fetch me anywhere I want to go. The type of guy who buys me the stuff I want. The type of guy who takes the family out for outings and to the cinema. The type of guy who wanted to be involved whenever I was making any sort of big decisions.
He is who he is and he’s perfect in that way. He never tries to be somebody is not.
I am lucky to have him and though he may not be perfect in reality, he is the the perfect dad to me. He loves me and that’s enough reason for me to be happy and to be very very lucky and grateful.
So dad, I may get irritated and frustrated and angry at you sometimes but always know that I will love you unconditionally for the rest of my life. I’ll always be your little girl and now that I’m big enough, it’s my turn to catch you whenever you stumble. I love you dad.