Everyone wants to make mama proud these days but no one remembers the sacrifices of the father's. Most times it seems like the father's are invisible. We have several mother's days but how many times in a year are father's celebrated?. Once. Only one time.
Father's go through a lot to make sure their families are okay. Most times the don't say it out the struggles the have to pass through. Because the need to be strong for their lived ones so the tend to hide it a lot. Most times these beautiful humans hide and cry then wipe their tears and put on a smiling face ready to face their struggles. Yes, the do they're humans too with emotions. The pass through a lot to make sure their families us safe. And most times we won't know all these until we ask or experience it.
Let me tell a story of my experience today.
Which actually prompted me to write these.
Sitting on the balcony of my work place trying to take in some fresh air. Mr Aka walked out of his shop just right beside mine probably to do the same thing I was doing, taking in fresh air.
"Good day sir", I greeted. But instead of a reply he was silent. "Hello sir I'm greeting you" I shouted this time. Thinking I wasn't that loud but instead he was silent again looking lost in thoughts.
I walked up to him and tapped him on his shoulder. He jerked back to reality. And forced a smile at me.
"Are you okay sir?"I asked him. Still holding his shoulders.
"I'm fine my son", he replied.
I didn't push it further. I sat back down where I was. Few minutes later he walked up to me and sat down beside me. Still wearing a sad face. He breathed in hard.
"My son, all's not well with me. I need help" he said to me.
I asked to know what was wrong. And he opened up to me on how he just got a call from his pregnant wife with his third child who went for check up at the doctors that particular and the said the baby wasn't sitting well in her womb and needed immediate attention ( surgery probably). But at the moment he had no money left with him to deposit for the surgery. He talked of how he has spent the last profot he made from his business in paying his other two kids school fees and also some bills. And now the goods he intended to sell and get little cash today people aren't even coming to price it.
I felt sad for him. I hadn't made much that day and I had things I needed money for. Instead I deep my hands into my pocket and brought out the little cash I had made that day. Divided into two and gave him a part of it. I know it wasn't really the amount he was looking for, but that was all I could do to help. I wished I had more cash on me today I would have done more.v
Don't get me wrong this post isn't to disregard the sacrifices mother's go through. I clearly know it isn't an easy task to have another soul inside you for nine months and then go into labour and give birth.
But this is to let us remember that father's are not robots, they have emotions too. Sometimes walk up to him and also remind him that someone still cares.
We will be fine someday.
Note: names used in this story were changed to hide identity.