Growing up, i didn’t have a clear recollection of any bonding moments with my father. I have poignant memories of childhood and over the years, it has affected my self-esteem and confidence. Thankful that i found my faith who showed me that there’s a “Father to the fatherless” and taught me godly ways to “build a family” of my own.
Indeed, our past won’t dictate our future… but it’s our firm resolute to become a better person for our family and for the community that will define who we are.
As we celebrate Father’s Day, let it be a reminder of our purpose: to raise a righteous family; be able to provide the financial needs as well as a sense of security and identity to our children; and lastly, be a loving husbands to our wives.
Father’s Day is a celebration honoring fathers and celebrating fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society. (It is generally celebrated every) …third Sunday of June (falling on June 17 in 2018). – wiki
As they say, the basic unit of our society is our family. With this idea, I stood out few years ago to carry the role of a #DaddyBlogger to represent a special sector in the blogging world dedicated to showing family lifestyle on the perspective of a Dad.
Blast from the past
I’ve been keeping this story to my readers up until today when i decided to finally share my own journey as a father (my claim-to-fame, as Father’s Day give-away story).
Yes, i had my fair share of youthful adventures and misadventures. I was a Dad at the age of 24 and it wasn’t the most ideal setup since i was still so immature at that time. While others actually call it cool to be a young Dad, the real pressures are on. While my son was growing up, finding the right visitation schedules was really a tough one.
Until i decided to work abroad, then i was able to provide decently for his education. And just like all other expat Dads, we thought that maximizing every vacation can compensate for our guilt of not being there all the time for our child.
Those were really opportunities to build memories together.
Starting over… the right way
Then God gave me another opportunity to make things right. Met my wife now, got married and started a family. With guidance from our spiritual family, we were thought to lead a godly life… not perfect… but a life that recognizes that apart from God, we can’t do anything right.
Then Jasmine was added to the family, and it made our happiness complete.
Challenges on Children’s Age Gap
Raising two kids with a big age gap is definitely demanding, both have extreme needs: one emotional, one physical.
As Johann is fast growing to be a young man, his needs for emotional support and affirmation is becoming more evident. It is really necessary to change his mindset… from what he has been accustomed to in the past to the new faith we are embracing. Most of the times, we still falter and fall…
Jasmine on the other hand demands more play time and tons of patience. Raising her hands-on here in Qatar was even more difficult than raising her older brother. She was extremely very restless and playful… but is also very sweet and charming.
Thankful i have my wife who was very supportive in making sure that we have equal time for both kids. Our rule is that, we are one family and we treat both of them equally.
Message on Father’s Day
In this time and age where technology can bridge people’s life even miles away, expat Dad’s will have more opportunities to communicate to their family anytime.
Our prayer is that time will come that all our families will be together again, may it be in Qatar or back home. As we fully maximize this season of toiling (investing and working hard overseas), may time come soon that we will be ready to settle in and reap the harvest of our labour… together with our love ones.
Father’s Day Giveaways
Few days leading to the Father’s Day, we decided to take it as an opportunity to give honor and a simple gesture of appreciation. Being a #DaddyBlogger, we couldn’t find any other better opportunity than during Father’s Day. We were also very overwhelmed with gratitude to all our dear sponsors who provided wonderful gifts to our winners: Radisson Blu Hotel Doha, Bo’s Coffee Qatar, Time Rako Hotel, and DJ Salon and Spa.
DRAW VIDEO: click this link to see the winner
Quoting our winner’s reply to the question: WHAT ARE YOU MOST THANKFUL FOR YOUR DAD, she had one of the most heartwarming response:
spacer918 I am most thankful for my father for all the sacrifices he has done for his 8 children. He has more sacrifices as an OFW for more than 20 years. Being away from us entailed lonely nights and days being far away from us. But despite all of these, all his 7 children have graduated from college and one more for the youngest who dreams of becoming a lawyer someday. I love my father! And I want to take my husband to this eid brunch because he is also an OFW who sacrificed his career in the Philippines just to give us a better life. @rpacer @bestlifeqatar@radissonbluhdoha
DRAW VIDEO: click this link to see the winners
DRAW VIDEO: click this link to see the winner
Quoting some of the touching replies from our readers:
cheann126 Fathers need a staycation like this coz they need also to be pampered and loved for all the harwork and sacrifices they’re providing to their families( wife and kids ). THey are doing their best to equalize the time between work and family inspite of all the stresses at work and their aching muscles of their own. A staycation will be a great chance for them to enjoy and relax and at least to energized themselves. 🛌🛋🏖🏋
hanawidu My father deserves this staycation as its been 35 years he is at Qatar and not once did he have the opportunity to stay at any hotel. I hope by winning this, he would experience something unfamiliar.
xqa.e My father deserves it because he has given me and did alot of great things in my life so this is a small thing to say thank you father 💙
simplyrafia I am a stay-at-home mom whose hard working husband has permitted to make this choice, Alhumdulillah. My husband is an Engineer & was out of work a few months ago and recently he got a job after lots of searching, Alhumdulillah. But it’s very far away in Lusail, which is very tiring to commute daily. Sometimes he wishes there were times that he didn’t really have to go in this hot weather. Even if his day was bad, he doesn’t let our boy see it on his face. I know him though, and sometimes I can see that his day was hard and all he wants to do is relax. That’s hard when we have our little man leaning on us for dinner, play time, giggles, stories and sleeping time each night. Sometimes I feel it’s better to get away from all of the distractions of the everyday and have a special day, creating quality time that previously did not exist, for my husband- and “us” as a couple which will be purely magical. Hence my Husband deserves this Break. Thanks 😊
nazimqtr Dad. You have given me the best things in life: Your time, your care, and your love. I am truly grateful to have you in my life. Happy Father’s Day!
Thanks for acting like a kid when I was a kid, acting like a friend when I needed a friend, and acting like a parent when I needed one. You are the best man I know. Although time and distance may separate us, your guidance, advice, and love has stuck with me through it all. I would not be who I am today without you. Enjoy your special day. The older I get the more I realize how important it is to have a dad like you. You have provided stability in my life and the love and acceptance I needed.
Happy Father’s Day to my hero and role model. Thank you for everything you have done for our family. We love you with all our hearts. #myfather #myhero
WINNERS: to be announced today 17.06.2017
“The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them.”
Proverbs 20:7
ABOUT OUR COVER PHOTO: Kuya Johann and Jasmine’s 2016 winter photo in Doha.
