I was a daddy’s girl. My father was my ‘knight in shining armor,’ and I adored him. He was a well-respected gentleman who stood tall when it came to the outside world. But indoors with his family, he played with us as if he were a child. My father never had the instructions to raising children, he became an orphan at the age of 4. Yet, he was a great father because he followed his compassionate heart. I always believed I was like him in many ways which is why I would love to call myself one of his favorites. Maybe, I felt this way, because only I was given nick names. He often called me ‘mosquito breakfast,’ and jockey because of my small stature. And I loved all the attention. My father taught us all many life lessons, how to survive in a complex world, how to remain independent without relying on others, and how to stand tall under the most difficult situations. When I find myself in such situations, I remember his words. “If you want to reach the stars,” he often said, “you must be the boss of your own destination.”  Many years later, I find solace knowing I am my father’s daughter. The remembrance of him gives me much strength.

Happy Father's Day