Syeda AB Jan
On this Father’s Day, June 15, 2025, my heart aches to pour out my love for the most extraordinary man in my life—my father, Mr. Muhammad Badrudduja Jan. As a Class 9 student, I miss him deeply, especially in moments when I need his wisdom or just his warm smile. He works far away at a multinational corporation (MNC), sacrificing time with us to provide for our family. Yet, despite the miles between us, his love is my anchor, guiding me through every storm and lighting up my dreams. Today, I want to celebrate him—not just as my father, but as my hero, my teacher, and the heartbeat of my world. As the great poet Kahlil Gibran once said, “You give much and know not that you give at all.” Papa, you give me everything, and I hope these words show you how much you mean to me.
My mother once shared a story that feels like a treasure in my heart. When I was born, some people around us whispered disappointment, clinging to outdated beliefs that daughters are less valuable. But my father? He was radiant with joy. His eyes sparkled with pride, and he held me close, as if I was the greatest gift he’d ever received. That moment, though I was too young to remember, tells me everything about who he is—a man who defies stereotypes and loves me fiercely, no matter what society thinks. It reminds me of what Nelson Mandela said: “We must reject the idea that some people are inferior.” Papa rejected those ideas the day I was born, and his love has empowered me ever since.
Papa, you’re my rock, even from so far away. I miss you when I’m wrestling with tough math problems, when I’m nervous before a school speech, or when I just want to tell you about my day. Your job keeps you busy, with long hours and endless responsibilities, but you always make time for me. I remember last year when I failed a science test and felt like giving up. You called me that evening, and instead of being upset, you said, “Every mistake is a step toward success, my beta. Keep going.” Your words lifted me, and I studied harder, scoring my best marks the next time. Your belief in me turns my doubts into courage, just as Maya Angelou wrote, “Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.” Your love does that for me, Papa, every single day.
You teach me life’s biggest lessons, not with lectures, but through how you live. You show me what integrity looks like when you keep your promises, even when it’s hard. I see your kindness in how you speak to everyone with respect, from your colleagues to the chaiwala near your office. And your resilience? It shines when you face tough days with a smile, reminding me of what Winston Churchill said: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” You’re my living example of courage, Papa. When I was scared to join the school debate team, you told me about the time you spoke at a big company meeting, nervous but determined. “Feel the fear, but do it anyway,” you said. I did, and now I love debating, all because you showed me how to be brave.
In a world where some girls grow up without the love they deserve, I feel blessed to have a father who celebrates me. You’ve never treated me as “just a girl.” Instead, you tell me I can be anything—a scientist, a writer, a leader. When I won a poetry competition last month, you called me, your voice full of pride, saying, “You’re writing your own story, and it’s beautiful.” Your words make me feel unstoppable. As Malala Yousafzai said, “We realize the importance of our voices only when we are silenced.” Papa, you’ve given me a voice by always listening, always believing in me.
This Father’s Day, I wish I could run to you, hug you tight, and hear your laugh fill the room. I miss holding your hand during our evening walks or sharing ice cream on Sundays. The distance hurts, but your love is the ground I stand on. It’s what makes me kind, determined, and ready to chase my dreams. You’re not just my father—you’re my first hero, the man who makes me believe in goodness and hope.
Papa, Mr. Muhammad Badrudduja Jan, you’re the best father a girl could ever have. You break stereotypes, lift me higher, and show me what love can do. I miss you more than words can express, but I carry you in my heart always. Thank you for being my guide, my strength, and my everything. I promise to work hard and make you proud, just as you make me proud every day. As Robert Frost wrote, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” You’ve shown me the road of love, courage, and dreams, Papa, and it’s made all the difference in my life.
XOXO XOXO
