Sundaymail Editor
Phillipa Mukome-Chinhoi
ANOTHER celebration of Father’s Day under the Covid-19 pandemic!
I was praying that at least it would be different this year, but I guess we will have to wait a bit longer for normalcy to return.
But, with the high uptake of the Covid-19 jabs, all hope is not lost.
We will get there.
For now, let us celebrate the special men in our lives in the comfort of our homes.
There are a lot of things we can do at home to show appreciation for and to our fathers.
For instance, you could just relax at home, sharing favourite stories from the past, bring out videos and pictures of you and him, watch movies, cook something special or even serve him breakfast in bed.
Sadly, I have noticed that some people do not wish to celebrate their fathers on this special day as they consider the concept alien.
Yes, Father’s Day was founded in Spokane, Washington at the YNCA in 1910 by Sonora Smart Dodd, but like many other inventions, it has ceased to be a private or peculiar concept.
Do we not celebrate holidays like Christmas, Easter and Valentine’s Day?
If the answer is yes, then I rest my case.
Just like Sonora sought to celebrate her father, William Jackson, a single parent and civil war veteran who raised six children, you should also realise the need to appreciate your dad or husband.
Remember it is not about money.
Whether rich or poor, a simple appreciative message can make a difference.
Also, fathers are for everyone — children, the single, married or widowed.
However, some people have reasons for not appreciating the importance of the day.
“The day is not relevant to me because our father never cared for us. We all did not manage to go beyond Grade Seven because he did not care about us.
”He worked in Mutare and had several children with different women. Women are all he cared about, so why should I celebrate him,” queried David Phiri, a vegetable vendor from Mbare.
Fathers, like mothers, are pillars in the development of a child’s emotional well-being.
Similarly, every father has a male figure he looks up to and wishes to make proud.
Speaking in an interview, United We Stand Church pastor Leonora Chimwaza said she believes God gave us a great example of what a father’s love is.
“God does not change or discriminate his children.
”His love is unconditional and he is faithful, forgiving, kind, selfless, unchanging and honest.
“These are the qualities that should be emulated by all fathers,” she said.
“I was raised by a single father.
“I really appreciate everything that he did for us, thus my two brothers and I will celebrate him through dinner and braai on Saturday evening and Sunday respectively.
According to Chengetayi Chirodza from Domboshava; “A good father makes all the difference in a child’s life. He is a pillar of strength, support and joy.”
Good parenting does not mean one should helplessly watch as their children go astray.
Reasonable corrective measures should be taken by any father.
There is a difference between abuse and disciplining a child.
Chirodza is thankful for his father’s “tough love”.
“He used to beat me up for not watering the garden and herding the cattle and goats on time, especially during weekends.
“I now realise how this shaped me. I am now a successful farmer with more than 50 goats and cattle. I also have a thriving garden courtesy of his guidance.”
Father’s Day is often celebrated every third Sunday of June.
Other common methods of celebrating the day include visits, road trips, sending cards and gifts such as clothes, sporting equipment or food items.
I hope you are all going to enjoy this day.
Happy Father’s Day!
Online Reporter