TO MY FATHER on FATHERS’ DAY

All through my growing up years, one man stood out…he still does! In my eyes, as a child, he was the tallest man on earth! At 84, he still is! As to his strength, that was not debatable – he would lift me up, and swing me around, yet, i would not be afraid of him losing his grip. And when he carried me on his shoulder, i did so with glee, and abandon. The look in his eyes, the assuring smile, as he did that, told me i could trust him with my life – for, i knew he would NEVER let anything befall me!

That’s DAD! Today, several years down the line, i’m no longer that “little,” girl, whom he used to carry on his shoulder! At 84 years of age, i doubt that he would be able to do that, if he tried...i wouldn't even let him, lest i break the bones of his frail body....

As I told Mom not too long ago, i often wonder where, or even how the years passed....YET, i know (and feel)  that in Dad’s eyes, i’m still his little girl! I still see on that face, the look that taught me, several years ago, the true meaning of TRUST. In every sense of it, it gives great joy to feel that with DAD, i can still be that little girl again and again…..

That’s DAD! He would never demand of any of his children anything other than that we should succeed. His encouraging words, times without number, telling us that we can touch the sky…and reach beyond it. All we need to do is give it a good shot… a good aim, of course, is necessary, but Dad always says, “don’t strain yourself!” He knows when he says so, we’ll definitely give it our best shot…AND succeed, yes, we would! The pride on his face, and the pride in his voice, each time we cross a hurdle, or achieve a milestone, is enough reward, and good reason for the “strain!”

That’s DAD! A most unassuming and kindly man, yet an epitome of nobility and encouragement! Humble, (sometimes, i think, to a fault), that’s DAD…the best there is…the best there could ever be!

And his love for his family – who can compare! To him, we owe our lessons, in what family is, and what it takes to be a family. Dad’s family includes his nuclear and adopted families  - friends of his children, church members, the neighbour down the road, the young lady who handles his account at the Bank, the doctor who comes knocking, the newly married couple next door….a vast, vast number, who fondly call him, “daddy,” “uncle,” “grandpa,” or “papa,” as it suits their generation. I remain eternally grateful, for the privilege to be one of them! It is indeed an honour. As The Good Book says, “The righteous man walks in his integrity; his children are blessed after him.” (Proverbs 20:7 NKJV).

How can we fail to acknowledge your deep commitment and marriage, to the same woman – Mom - for 55 years....and still counting! An inspiration beyond measure, for which we daily thank God.

I often wonder why a particular day should be set aside to celebrate Fathers’ Day, or Mothers’ Day, for, in truth, it should be EVERY DAY. I guess it’s great to have a day to go the extra mile to celebrate these unique people.

Not too long ago, it was Mom’s turn to be celebrated. It’s your turn today, Dad. And i do so, with deep love and fondness, and from the deepest depths of my heart. Here are a few poems to summarise, appreciate and celebrate you, not just today, Fathers' Day, but always and forever…

If Everyone Had a Father Like You : Karl Fuchs

If everyone had a father
Who was more like you,
There'd be more laughing, joy and singing;
Fewer people would be blue.
There'd be much more understanding;
Crime and hate could not prevail.
We'd all be so contented,
We wouldn't need a jail.
If everyone had a father
Who was more like you,
The whole world would be blessed,
Just as I am blessed with you.


A Father's Love

A father is respected because
he gives his children leadership...
appreciated because
he gives his children care...
valued because
he gives his children time...
loved because
he gives his children the one thing
they treasure most - himself.

Happy Fathers' Day, DAD...may you ALWAYS, ALWAYS be blessed....Amen....

Your loving daughter, 

~~ ada (Princess)~~

To My Mother!

I look at those hands that once were strong, and tended to all six of us, at various times in our infancy and growing up years. I look at your back, not so straight or strong anymore, bent from age and this thing called "life." I look at those legs, that once "ferried" us from one place to another - school, Church, hospitals, friends' homes, sporting activities, youth clubs - one place or another.

My heart almost breaks sometimes, when i look at your frail body, an evidence of your 81 years of age. I often wonder where, or even how the years passed....

BUT......when i hear your voice, my heart leaps and brims with joy. It is still the ever assuring and reassuring voice of Mom. 

I see your open arms, and though i can't run into them, as i once did, lest i push the wind out of you, i know and feel that i've done just that, as i settle into the warm embrace of your assuring hug. Like a child, i feel safe again! It is true, what they say about a Mother's arms, and hugs - the warmth in them NEVER runs dry, or goes cold.

The look in your eyes, says enough - gentle; warm; chiding sometimes, but lovingly so; firm, as you dish out words of advice; dancing excitedly, as you tell stories of your life experiences, and times gone; hopeful, as you talk about a future for your children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and the generations that will be, after you're long gone! And your prayers, how can we ever overlook them? The ever constant - "May God always be with you!" Said in our native dialect, its import so strong and assertive, we feel God acting on it promptly and with gusto!  

Married to the same man for 55 years....and still counting! Mother of many, six of them biological, all, her children; grandmother of many; great grandmother of even more; and i, privileged to be one of the many, in the different generations! In unison, from far and wide, we each, and all rise, and call you, "Blessed!"

For me, EVERY DAY is Mothers' Day, when i think of you, and what you represent in my life! I know i'm not alone in that assertion! And so, i celebrate you, not just today, Mothers' Day, but always and forever...surmised in a poem that has traversed several moons and generations, and which you taught me as a child: 

My Mother : Ann Taylor (1782 - 1866)

Who fed me from her gentle breast,
And hush’d me in her arms to rest,
And on my cheek sweet kisses prest?
My Mother.

When sleep forsook my open eye,
Who was it sung sweet hushaby,
And rock’d me that I should not cry?
My Mother.

Who sat and watched my infant head,
When sleeping in my cradle bed,
And tears of sweet affection shed?
My Mother.

When pain and sickness made me cry,
Who gazed upon my heavy eye,
And wept for fear that I should die?
My Mother.

Who dress’d my doll in clothes so gay,
And taught me pretty how to play.
And minded all I had to say?
My Mother.

Who taught my infant lips to pray,
And love God’s holy book and day.
And walk in Wisdom’s pleasant way?
My Mother.

And can I ever cease to be
Affectionate and kind to thee,
Who was so very kind to me?
My Mother

Ah, no! the thought I cannot bear;
And if God please my life to spare,
I hope I shall reward thy care,
My Mother.

Who ran to help me when I fell,
And would some pretty story tell,
Or kiss the place to make it well?
My Mother.

When thou art feeble, old, and gray,
My healthy arm shall be thy stay,
And I will soothe thy pains away.
My Mother.

And when I see thee hang thy head,
‘Twill be my turn to watch thy bed.
And tears of sweet affection shed,
My Mother.

For God, who lives above the skies,
Would look with vengeance in His eyes,
If I should ever dare despise
My Mother.

For could our Father in the skies
Look down with pleased or loving eyes,
If ever I could dare despise
My Mother.

Happy Mothers' Day, MOM...may you ALWAYS, ALWAYS be blessed....Amen....

Your daughter, 
~~ ada ~~

On MY B-I-R-T-H-D-A-Y ☀❤ ♫.•*¨`*•: 10th March '10

All gratitude to The Most High, for another 365-day journey in His eternal plan for my life. It’s really been an interesting time of it – lessons learnt, joys, high times, low times. Sometimes, i’ve felt lost and forlorn, but He gently assures me each time, that He is near; sometimes I’ve felt like a disappointment to even myself, but He gently chides me, and takes me back; sometimes i’ve been in overdrive, wearing the “know-it-all cloak” of human frailty, but He gently turns the wheel back  in the direction He has prepared for me; and when i’ve felt tired and weary, He has been my constant strength; the times the battle seemed beyond me, He has stepped in, to cause a victory. And can i overlook the blessings He loads me with – renewed and afresh every morning – equipping me for the day.


High on the list of blessings are my family, friends and loved ones. People i would never….could never trade for anything! It’s not even worth the try! For, each one of them represents a world in my heart, enriching my life in every little way. The ones i can call up at any hour and they’ll be there to listen; the ones who walk with me, believe in me, trust in me enough to encourage and support me; the ones who know me, and still love me for who i am; the ones whom i don’t see or hear from often, but can still feel their presence in my heart – for, is it not said that, “the road to a loved one’s heart, is never long!” I love you all dearly, and yes, i love each one specially….


Birthdays are a time to look back and take stock. In truth, it represents everyone’s personal “New Year,” when you rest the “old year,” with thanks, and usher in another. It brings with it a rush of excitement of knowing and appreciating the opportunity of another wonderful journey!


All deference to The Potter, Who, like past years, will be moulding (and remoulding) me into the shape of His Perfect Will for my life. All submission to The Shepherd, Who leads me in the way that i should and shall go!


Happy ☀❤ ♫.•*¨`*•Birthday ☀❤ ♫.•*¨`*• to me ☀❤ ♫.•*¨`*• and many more years of working and walking in His Vineyard! In simple trust, i submit to Him….for, i know, that in green pastures, He leads me….Amen...