A man's life

17th June is Father's Day in the UK. With ideas and help from the children, I baked a rainbow cake for my man and made some chicken curry rolls. When everyone was ready, we paraded into the living room and surprised the emotional dad.

A father is a man who holds a very important role in the family. Children need parents, not just to be providers of food and shelter. More importantly, parents have the responsibility to provide guidance, love and companion. This role cannot be accomplished by only one parent ; neither only a mom nor only a dad. The responsibility has to be shared by both: each of the opposite sex.

A father offers masculinity and portrays this through his leadership in the house. He ensures order and discipline, whilst creating a harmonious atmosphere. He becomes the idol and hero to the children.

My hero is my own Abah - the person I owe my life to. He struggled to bring up the four of us, especially after the loss of our mother. How does one cope without his other half yet with memories of her all ahead? He has shaped me into who I am today and taught me values that are priceless. Abah, I can't thank you more than words can ever express. You are always in my prayers and thoughts...

Today I am married to the most wonderful man in the world. No one would have ever compromised the way he has or accepted me the way I am. He has been amazing for tolerating with me. Most incredibly, he has helped me bring up the children with care and love. When I delivered my twin boys, he would rush home after office to bathe the newly borns and help me manage them. With Princess, he was the one who accompanied her, to witness the doctor carry out the blood transfusion. He was in the labour room when I delivered Princess and Little D - not missing a single thing the doctor or nurse did!

Thank you my darling Mr D, for being a great husband to me and a superb father to the children. I'm not good with words but I found this, which was written by William Byrd.

To my man on Father's Day,
On whom my life depends,
My children's cheerful champion:
You are where yearning ends.
My paramour and harlequin,
All I want, and all I can
Not want and be OK.