GOD BLESS THE FATHERS WHO CARE

This Sunday 17th June, make some time to remember, honour and celebrate the father in your life. 

The 3rd Sunday of the month of June is Father's Day, a celebration honoring fathers and celebrating fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of the 'daughter's first love', the 'son's first hero' and the 'first leading men' in every society. 

Each of us is born of two parents, father and mother. Some are fortunate to have their biological parents present, visible and influential in their lives.

For many, however, the roles of father and/or mother have been played by other kind and generous spirits who have loved and nurtured, provided for and protected them.

Raising, mentoring and teaching a child is arguably the most rewarding work many of us will ever do.

And those who commit to do it deserve acknowledgment, recognition, even praise. 

Good fathers come in all shapes, sizes and types. Some are sages, some are humorous, some cash-rich, some disciplinarians, others cautious and anxious, some humble and soft-spoken, and some even border on the copious and obnoxious.

Whichever type destiny served you, make time to say a word of gratitude and send your heartfelt wishes to him.

Whether they are the one who made your mother pregnant, the one your mother chose to be pregnant by, the one who was named as father of the child and accepted, the one who honoured and married your mother or the one who chose to be there for you as you grew up, so long as they were kind and generous enough to do right by the child, they did something right. 

And there will always be something to remember them by. 

Hell, they say, hath no fury like the wrath of a woman scorned. Not a good circumstance for the child but little wonder that some fathers have been prevented by angry mothers from seeing their child. Some failed to do right by their child to hurt the mother. Some have been cut off because the mothers found more comfortable circumstances elsewhere. And some lost their way because they found another to warm their beds. 

Wherever you are, remember where you belong. 

Every parent has a duty to make their child grow strong. 

A dedicated father is a blessing indeed. 

I am fortunate to have been blessed with a purposeful, provident, powerful, prayerful and playful man who has guarded and guided me through childhood, adolescence and manhood. By emulating what he does, I am a better man and father too.

I will forever love and respect you Dad.

Opanin Kwasi Darkwah. Nyame 'nhyira wo.

God richly bless the Good Father.

My favourite things - KKD

The smiles & laughter of my beloved children, 

the view of vast green fields & scent of freshly-cut grass;

The oven-fresh smell of freshly-baked bread, 

the quirkiness & beauty of hand-made furniture & antique cars;

The delightful mind & hourglass figure of a well read & stylish woman, 

the kind and thoughtful words of persons with class;

Lovers who make vows & make them last, 

the effort & brightness of kids who top their class;

Ladies that cook well with whatever they have at home, 

friendship that is tested but endures and lasts;

Raindrops drumming on and washing my roof, 

birds chirping, melodious music playing, Kojo Antwi singing to a lass;

These are some of my favourites things &, perhaps, to pray, to love, to serve, to dance 

To express oneself well & dress with pizazz!

You may not have given it any serious thought because you have been too busy working to pay the bills, 

engrossed in attending to family or new found love, or just swept away by the tide of 'more important things in life' but your favourite things bring a smile to your face. They must not be placed on the back-burner for they form part of your very existence.

They have a special way of lifting up your spirits and lighting up your life.

They may be pricey or may not cost any money at all. 

They may consume hours on end or may not take away from our most valuable resource of all - TIME. 

But if they were taken away from our existence, this journey called life would not be so pleasurable. 

The simple thought of them warms our hearts. The smell, sight, sound, taste or feel of them make us HAPPY.

So tell me, Earth Angels and Urban Warriors, as the Yuletide beckons and Santa reckons he will bring our favourite things to us in peace and one piece, what are your favourite things?

"Style is how you do. Clothes are what you wear" - Tracee Ellis Ross

"Fashion is fleeting but Style is timeless, my child, OK? 

These words of my dearly beloved father are still clear on my mind today

Unlike words in many people's speeches which come out all wrong 

When thoughts are merely imitated; not clear, profound nor strong

You can be lost among the sheep or lead as the kind shepherd, he said

You can be drowned in the noise of the crowds or stand up and be heard

You can rush to the stores each time a new window is displayed

Or first define who you are and let your personality guide and aid

The trends will come and go but WHO YOU ARE must always show

And if you CHOOSE WITH CARE, your personal style will serve this so

School will teach you to read, write and count, good parents will let you know

The difference between right and wrong, so you may choose the right path to follow:

Even dignified persons can be provocative or mistaken in certain clothing

When there is very little covered it is the testosterone charging and deciding

Not the mind nor heart, for they are momentarily cowered into submission

Whilst those raging below the belt take control and key position

Every boy and girl must be taught before they turn a teen

That many minds are as good as mash when certain images are screened or seen

When the able mind is aroused many a man can be caught

With the imagery of nakedness sparking imaginations of things so hot

Stirring passions and confusion & unwelcome pregnancy in many a home

Then how often we hear the refrain 'I didn't dress like that for a bone'

Pick and choose your words and clothes but remember your image projection

Every garment speaks & FOR EVERY ACTION THERE IS A REACTION

"Style is how you do. Clothes are what you wear" - Tracee Ellis Ross

The lovely lady's graceful look whispers DIGNITY and TRADITION

The student's neat and preppy look state MISSION: EDUCATION

The warrior's armour is designed to conjure fear and intimidation

The hustler's low-hung pants say what do you care about my condition

The eager come-hither tarty look screams FOR HIRE: prostitution

The fire service uniform declares their trade and gives PROTECTION

No matter our complexion or station our choice of clothing make a declaration

The threads we wear are an outer manifestation of an inner conviction

There surely must be a time and place for that item that you bought

When you were so excited yet unsure, and all you thought

Was this on my body will drive people craaaaaazy, but forgot

That madness isn't what you seek to project, or is that truly your plot?

There is time to work, worship, study, play and, for some, even be played

And garments for each activity that help our state of mind be conveyed 

So wear whatever you may, with your Personality clearly in mind

Dress as wish to be addressed, and remember the world isn't blind"-KKD

-Excerpt from DAPPER DARKWAH'S DELIGHTS by Kwasi Kyei Darkwah, MA

for my blog launched on 11.11.11