This article that I am about to write is dedicated
to all the OFW dads who have missed their
families back home, especially their children. At
the same time, to let all the dads know how your
kids missed you a lot….your absence, be it
temporarily (due to your work abroad) or permanently
(due to a new found family here), have
created some feeling of emptiness in them.
Cases and personal circumstances may vary, but
this story might illustrate what I would like you
to realize….
One day, my daughter asked me to listen to a
song. She said she was crying while listening to
it. Curiously, I did listen to the song. My heart
almost crushed and melted because I felt the
longing in my daughter‘s heart, I felt the craving
for a father‘s love, the emptiness and the vacuum
created deep inside her due to the absence
of a father in the family. “If I could get another
chance, Another walk, another dance with him,
I’d play a song that would never, ever end, How I’d love, love, love to dance with my father again…”
In another instance, my 9-year old son and I
were having breakfast. Out of the blue he said,
―Ma, magasawa ka na lang uli.‖ I got the shock of my life. I couldn‘t believe a young boy would be able to say it. I laughed loudly and asked him,
―Why do you want me to marry?‖ He ran to me,
hugged me, and with a trembling voice he said
―eh kasi naman gusto kong maranasan ang magkaroon ng papa.‖ He cried on my shoulders. I, too, cried. He added, ―kasi nakakaingit yung
ibang bata may daddy.‖ I hugged him tightly
and assured him that I am there for him….but
how could a mother love her own child the same
way a father does? I know my words were not enough to comfort him, nor make him feel and experience a father‘s love.
These two experiences illustrate the point I want
to drive at…A father‘s love is different from a
mother‘s love. I know the struggle and difficulty
that OFW dads not only in Korea, but all over
the world, are experiencing. Faithfulness and
commitment to one‘s family and children has
always been a pressing personal and moral issue.
As I previously mentioned, different cases and
situations apply to different people, but while
the family is in tact- try to keep it that way,
because first and foremost, the innocent children
will suffer the most. This experience can make
or break their future and we, as adults are held
liable and accountable.
To all the fathers who have kept the commitment
with their families despite the distance and
absence, I salute you! You deserve all the praises and appreciation in this world. Your family is so lucky to have you as a dad….
May the Lord continue to strengthen you and inspire
you to live your vocation as a father.
To all the fathers who have missed this commitment,
there is always a chance, and never too
late to be united again and make up for the lost
love and time together…May the Lord guide
you as you search for the path back home.
To all the fathers who have started a new home,
try to be the best dad in your new found home…
May the Lord help you to learn from your past
mistakes and become better dads.
To all the soon-to-be-fathers, try to prepare yourself for the future road that you are soon trekking. It won‘t be as easy as you may think…
May God guide you in your preparation.
To all the dads and at the same time moms,
congratulations!! You are doing extra laborious
and tough jobs, but keep this in mind….‖your
rewards are great in heaven!‖
Dads, always remember: there will always be
kids craving and longing to say “If I could get
another chance, Another walk, another dance
with him, I’d play a song that would never,
ever end, How I’d love, love, love to dance
with my father again…”
