Tell me how to be a good father...

When I was young or before I finished my secondary school, I used to request pocket money from my parents. My mom was my constant soft-target for the money as my father was a bit strict, so my sisters and I always harassed my mom for some money. I used the money to buy cookies, snacks, toys and to play video games. I felt proud and satisfied with my little spending. It wasn’t much actually but I enjoyed it.

My father worked from 9 to 5 everyday except on weekend. He did not complain about his works. He was tired after his works but he still managed to smile and joke with me. He always bought me cookies and kuih on his way back from his office.

At that time, I could not appreciate the value of money, I could not appreciate my father’s hard time spent to earn the money and I could not appreciate his daily sturdy efforts to make me properly fed and clothed. My father was the sole bread winner of my family. He did not earn much but it was enough to put me in good schools and to make me successful in my own way. During my school days and university days, never once my father disappointed me everytime I requested pocket money from him. He was always there for me through my rainy and sunny days. During my school days, my father always traveled and visited me whenever I was. He personally sent and registered me to my boarding school, he came to my graduation day at my university and he also came to my admission day when I was called to the bar as an Advocate & Solicitor. In short, he was there when it mattered.

My father taught me how to be a good and honest person. He wanted me to be a better person. He taught me how to be a decent man. He taught me how to respect and be grateful to people. He gave me purpose and direction in life. I don’t know where I would be now without his support, guidance and supervision. To me, his sacrifice is immeasurable and unbreakable…

Now my father is a retired man, he spends his time on his garden, his poultry and his cattle. He loves farming and gardening. Every week, I will call and talk to him about his days. He enjoys sharing his farming days with everyone.

I have learned that I can never repay my father after what he did to me. Not now and not later…the least I can do is to always respect and listen to him, to give him whatever assistance he needs and to pray that God always forgive and bless my father to eternity. I'm proud to say that he is a good father to me.

Now I’m going to be a father and I hope I can be a damn good one. I want to be with my child whether it matters or not. I want to raise and protect my child at all cost. I do not want to disappoint my child. I want to appreciate my child. I want to be a real father to my child.

I hope that my child would proudly say someday that I am a good father..….…