If you had asked me a few years ago about who my favorite person is, I would have, without any atom of doubt or any lengthy thought, told you it's my grandmother; unfortunately, she passed away some years back, but then among those I'm surrounded with presently, between loved ones, family, and friends, I'll say my dad is my favorite person. You see, in this life I've been opportune to meet wonderful people; I've been inspired by teachers, moved by friends, and even influenced by public figures, but none of them have come close to the relentless sacrifice and unwavering love I've experienced from my father.
My dad isn't the loudest man in the room; in fact, to put it into perspective, he often goes unnoticed with his actions and love, but as I grow, I've come to understand his nature and what it means to be a man, and that's why I regard him as my hero, a man who has gone through thick and thin, walking on a rough path to ease the situation for his children, a path that I myself now, as an adult, can't help but wonder how he managed to go through and still remain standing.
There were times when things were really hard and tough for us, and yet my dad would do all he could to make sure we didn't feel the full weight of those struggles. He's not the type of person who pampers his kids and doesn't let them understand what life is all about, but that doesn't mean he'll let you bear the weight of the struggles we're going through. He only makes you see them so we can build resilience and shape our minds towards the right direction. I remember when I and two of my siblings were at the university at the same time; the tuition fee was a burden on his shoulder, but never once did he suggest that one of us stop school.
Instead of doing that, he delved into multiple loans to salvage the situation, and by the time it was time to pay and his employee didn't pay his wages for about eight months, he resorted to selling his car, one he loved too much and always talked about because he loved the model and had dreamt of owning it one day. When I was told he sold the car, I was dumbfounded because I knew how much he loved it. But then that's to show the level of sacrifice this pay pays to make sure we're in good condition. Yes, I know he's a man and that's his responsibility, and maybe some people might feel there's no point praising him because of that. I don't see it in the same light because not all fathers are dads who fend for their families and make sure they have all the basic needs.
Yes, he might not have time to chat with us, hug us, or show affection like we see in this world; he mostly arrives home late looking tired and worn out, making it rare for you to see him smile, but beyond those strict faces of his is a loving father who'll do anything for his family. Most times when I reflect on some of the victories and milestones I've achieved in this world today, I can't help but say I trace many of them to the foundation he has laid; his discipline, sacrifice, lessons, and the like are a testament to who I am today and who I'll become in the near future.
I understand that many of us have different people as our favorite person, from mentors to celebrities, friends, and the likes, which is fine, but for me personally, my favorite person is the man who gave me his best, even when life gave him little.
All photos are mine.