Thank you Dad!

Dear Dad

It’s Father’s Day this weekend and we, your children, want to honour and celebrate you for being a Super Dad. Each of us has experienced our special moments with you. We all have personal memories of how you listened to and laughed with us, provided for us and protected us. We remember especially how you spent time just playing with us – making us laugh so hard that we cried!

From birth you were there. You played with us, soothed us when we were upset and spoon-fed us when we couldn’t yet hold our own. We don’t remember too much of those days but we just know that it made a difference in who we are today; because we know that those early moments mattered.
The stories you told us, we still remember - from the Ananse stories to the ones about your grandparents and the history of our village.

Our favourite time of the day was when you read to us just before we went to sleep. The evenings we sat on your lap as you patiently took us through books, helping us learn how to read, made the art so much easier for us – and it made us look forward to going to school.

We were all so proud of you when you took time out of your busy schedule to come and pick us from school. All our friends thought you were great.

Growing up, we watched how you spoke respectfully to our mother and your friends and how you interacted with your work colleagues. You were not wealthy, but you always made sure we always had what we needed. You made a little go a long way. Dad, you may not realise it, but your good actions inspired us and made us want to become like you.

Our teenage years were the best ever. I remember when we stayed out too late, you didn’t abuse us. You didn’t hit us. Instead – you quietly corrected us. That reprimand had a greater impact because we didn’t expect it, and we just did not want to disappoint you. We are now better parents for that one action.
Your love and dedication to us – particularly when we were at an early age, has helped us to become the successful, healthy and happy men and women we are today. We’re happy to say Dad, that our generation has been impacted by your nurturing.

Dad, your style of nurturing is just what UNICEF is saying today: That Early Moments Matter, and that the involvement of fathers is crucial in a child’s life.

We’ll honour you by never straying from what you taught us.

Dad – happy Father’s Day!
Love
UNICEF Ghana
#EarlyMomentsMatter