Mahbooba Hassan
A father is one of the greatest blessings in a child’s life. His presence gives a feeling of safety, strength, and protection. When a father is around, his children often feel that they can face every difficulty in the world. A daughter may feel like a queen, and a son may feel confident enough to chase his dreams. Behind this feeling is often a father who quietly sacrifices his own comfort, happiness, and desires to build a better future for his children.
A father works tirelessly without counting the hours. He does not always express his love through words, but his love can be seen in his hard work, his worries, and the sacrifices he makes every day. He faces the heat, the cold, the rain, and the struggles of life so that his children can live with comfort and dignity. He puts his blood and sweat into creating opportunities for them. For many children, a father is like a protective shadow, standing between them and the harsh realities of life.
My father was exactly that person for us. To me, he was not only a father; he was my pride, my strength, and the greatest man I have ever known. His name was Ghulam Hassan Mir, and in my eyes, he was the best father in the world.
We were three siblings, two sisters and one brother. Our father worked in service, but his responsibilities towards his family never stopped there. Whenever needed, he was ready to work even harder. For the sake of his children, he also did labour work. He never considered any work too difficult or too small when it came to securing our future. He did not care whether it was day or night. His only concern was that his children should receive a good life, good education, and a secure future.
Our family was happy. Like every family, we had dreams, hopes, and plans for the future. Then, suddenly, life tested us. My father became ill. After medical tests, we came to know that he had diabetes. It was a difficult time for all of us, but my father did not lose hope. He continued to fight his illness with courage.
During this journey, my mother stood beside him like a true partner. She walked with him through every difficult moment. Together, my parents continued to raise us with love, discipline, and care. Despite the challenges they faced, they never allowed us to feel that our future was uncertain. They gave us good values, good education, and the confidence to stand on our own feet.
As time passed, my sister got married. My father was already unwell, and because of his health, life had become more difficult. Later, my brother’s marriage was arranged, and my own marriage was also fixed. I still remember the emotions and worries my father carried in his heart.
He once said that if both of his children were settled and married, he would feel peaceful. These words were full of a father’s concern. He had spent his entire life thinking about us. Even when his own health was suffering, his mind was focused on the future of his children.
My father even started preparing for my wedding. He wanted to see us happy and settled. He had dreams for us, just as every loving parent does. We thought that there was still time. We believed that he would be with us to see more of our lives and share our happiness.
But life had something else planned. One morning, my aunt went to call my father. He did not wake up. From that day, our lives changed forever.
There are some losses that cannot be explained in words. Losing a father is one of them. The person whose presence once made everything feel safe is suddenly no longer there. The voice you were used to hearing becomes a memory. The person you wanted to share your happiness and problems with is no longer sitting beside you.
Even today, we children long to hear our father’s voice. Our brother has taken many responsibilities after our father’s passing. He tries to do for us what a father would do. He cares for us, supports us, and stands with us in difficult times. We are grateful for him and for everything he does. Yet, the place of a father in a daughter’s heart can never truly be filled.
My sister and I still miss our father deeply. Sometimes, even in moments of happiness, there is an emptiness inside us. When I see something beautiful, achieve something, or face a difficult situation, I often think, “I wish Papa were here.” I wish I could tell him about the good and bad things in my life. I wish I could ask for his advice. I wish he could visit my home and see how his children are living today.
All our lives, he worked for us. He gave us everything he could. He spent his strength, his time, and his energy building our future. Today, when it is our turn to give him comfort and happiness, he is no longer with us. This is one of the deepest pains we carry in our hearts.
My father had a special place in his heart for girls. He always supported women and girls. If any girl faced a problem or injustice, he was ready to stand beside her. He believed that daughters deserved respect, support, education, and protection. His love for his own daughters was reflected in the way he treated other girls as well.
Today, I feel proud of the upbringing my parents gave us. My siblings and I are settled in our respective lives, and we are working and moving forward. Whatever we have achieved is deeply connected to the sacrifices of our parents, especially our father. He gave us a strong foundation. He taught us values and ensured that we received a good education.
The world often says that a daughter is especially close to her father, and I now understand how true those words are. A father is not only a provider. He is a daughter’s first protector, supporter, guide, and source of confidence. His love gives her a sense of security that is difficult to describe.
A daughter without her father often learns to become strong because life gives her no other choice. She may smile, work, care for her family, and appear happy, but somewhere inside, she carries the pain of missing him. No matter how much time passes, there are moments when she simply wishes her father were still there.
For me, my father will always remain my greatest pride. Ghulam Hassan Mir may no longer be physically present with us, but his sacrifices, values, and love continue to live through his children. Everything he did was a lesson in love and responsibility. He taught us that true love is not always spoken: it is often shown through sacrifice, hard work, and silent prayers for the people we love.
Today, we remember him with tears in our eyes but pride in our hearts. A father may leave this world, but his love never truly leaves his children. His voice may become a memory, his chair may remain empty, and his presence may be deeply missed, but the values he gave remain forever.
Papa, we miss you every day. We wish you were here to see us, guide us, and share our lives with us. You gave us everything you could, and today, all we can do is carry your love and your teachings in our hearts. You were, and will always remain, our greatest strength, our pride, and the best father we could ever have.
