Do we ever stop to think about how much our parents do for us? Have we ever thought about how much our fathers have contributed to make our lives easier and happier?

From the darkness we see to the world burning ablaze as we grow up, his smile is the sun. His comforting voice can bring an end to the haunting dark hours. The embodiment of sturdy and soft, calm and content, the protector and gateway to our dreams — our father is all these and much more.

Too often, fathers remain in the background while life rushes on around us. We appreciate them for a moment and then return to our old monotonous lives. But can we not make every day an opportunity to honour our fathers?

We must remember that it is a father who makes a boy into a man and gives a daughter enough self-respect to grow into a confident woman. A father makes us who we are, crafts our personality and turns unshaped, raw ore into valuable gold. So why not make their lives valuable too?

Like a quiet guardian, a father works hard in the background to keep us safe, happy and strong. Discover how small, everyday actions can show our father just how much he means to us

Doing small acts of kindness, helping him out and supporting him can easily show our devotion to him. Understand that just as we spend money on expensive clothes and watches, why don’t we spend something even more precious on our beloved parents, our time?

Time alone is the most valuable thing in this world because time invested is time gained, while time wasted is lost forever. So let us make not just this day, but every day memorable for ourselves and our parents.

From going on picnics to sitting together as he watches the news, from playing board games to actual games, doing DIY projects and repairs around the house, going on long, endless drives that somehow end with us getting our favourite snack — everything done together with dad conveys our love and gratitude for him.

We need to understand that fathers have a soft and emotional side beneath a staunch and tough exterior. Though they often show only their stronger side, we forget that they also have hearts as soft as velvet cushions, providing comfort, support and warmth.

The role of a father is complex and most of us misunderstand it. We either take it for granted or assume fathers are extremely strict people. But in reality, they stand as anchors for our boats. Whenever we fall, our father will be there to hold us. Whenever we stumble, he will be by our side. He is Plan Z because when all the other plans fail, the last one carries us to victory.

A father’s love often makes him do whatever his children do. If we like catching grasshoppers, he likes them too. If we enjoy cars and racing, he supports us. If we want an expensive device or toy, somehow he already knows, and it may be there before we even ask for it. Those, my friends, are the true powers hidden within a father — his love never-ending and his smile ever cheerful.

The only time he needs to show his serious side is when he is doing something for us or when he finds himself in a situation that demands his utmost focus and dedication.

Fathers are the unsung heroes of our lives. They are the invincible shield, the stone guardians who protect us from life’s untold horrors and malice.

Let us strive to show our gratitude to the one captain aboard our household’s ship, not merely through words, but through connection, feelings and, most of all, actions,.

From small gestures like doing chores, making cards, spending time together and preparing a meal for him, every effort counts. Recognise and acknowledge the sacrifices our father has made for us, and the effort he has put into shaping us into the people we become. But this acknowledgement should transcend days and nights, and become a norm. By appreciating his efforts daily, we can create a society in which we are united under the loving hands of our fathers.

Honour his love and passion every day, and learn the endless lessons he teaches, from resilience and integrity to love and respect. A father can truly teach more than we can imagine and make us cherish every moment, turning them into memories that remain eternal and engraved in our hearts, stories that we will one day tell our own children.

So let us make every day a tribute to our loving fathers, appreciating their unwavering dedication and boundless love.

Published in Dawn, Young World, June 28th, 2026