Not everyone is fortunate to be with their Dad
In my eyes, those who have the privilege of sharing every moment with their dad are among the most fortunate souls in the world. Due to my dad’s unwavering dedication to his studies, personal and familial responsibilities, and various circumstances, I have not yet had the opportunity to truly spend meaningful time with him. Though distance separates us, our daily conversations serve as an invisible thread that connects our hearts, drawing us closer despite the thousands of miles between us.

When I was a child, I used to feel a certain fear toward him and didn’t feel comfortable approaching him. I naturally shared a closer bond with my mother, as is often the case with young children. But as I grew older, I gradually began to realize the deep importance, love and role a dad plays in shaping a child’s life and future.

My Background
I was born in a small village in the Rolpa district, situated in the mid-western region of Nepal. Coming from a lower-middle-class family, I deeply admire the resilience of my grandfather, who left home at the age of 12 in search of employment and spent more than 45 of his most valuable years in India, all for the betterment of our family.

Growing up in such circumstances, my dad faced hardships far greater than my own. Despite these challenges, he excelled academically, consistently achieving outstanding results even at higher levels and highest level of education. A decade ago, he successfully earned his PhD in law—a remarkable and proud achievement not only for our family and district but also for our community across the country. Fully aware of our family’s situation, he assumed responsibility from a young age. Rising from humble beginnings, he persevered and attained great success, enabling me to lead a life of comfort today because of his hard work, determination and sacrifices. I take immense pride and joy in knowing that our society recognizes both me and my family by his name.

The Remarkable and Tireless Sacrifice of My Dad

Sometimes, I find myself comparing my current life to the experiences my dad had at my age. I reflect on how he managed to navigate personal matters, career ambitions, and family responsibilities simultaneously. Due to familial obligations, he married at a young age, taking on immense responsibilities from the very start. With unwavering determination and effort, he balanced his career and family life, walking a difficult and demanding path.

Like my grandfather, he also spent his youth striving to build a better future. Even now, in his late 40s, he remains unwavering in his dedication to both his professional and family responsibilities. I often envision him as a marathon runner in the race of life, yet for him, there seems to be no clear finish line. Having emerged from a humble rural background, he has brought us to where we are today through his remarkable perseverance. For his extraordinary sacrifices and immense contributions, he truly deserves a standing ovation—though even that would not be enough to fully honour his dedication.

At times, I feel a sense of guilt, as I lack the courage to encourage him to retire. Beyond his dream of leading a peaceful and fulfilling life with his family, I am certain he also wishes to see me reach the pinnacle of the academic field, just as he has. I have full confidence that, with time, his aspirations will soon become a reality one day.

The Best Mentor and Tutor
I am incredibly fortunate to have my dad as my mentor and tutor throughout my life. mHe has been my greatest teacher, and the status I hold today is entirely due to his unwavering support. He is the silent hero behind my achievements, who has been supporting me in every aspect of life, be it personal or professional. I was a different person in the past but many of my negative traits have transformed and the credit for all these changes goes to him. He takes a deep and sincere interest in every aspect of my life. While some may perceive his involvement as overly concerned or possessive, I would never characterize him in such a way. His care extends broadly, particularly in the realms of academics and intellectual development, and he remains watchful of my health and overall well-being. Whenever I embark on a new endeavour, I always seek his guidance first.

When I seek his guidance before making any decision, I gain the opportunity to listen and understand the mythological, religious, historical, social, etc. contents and contexts surrounding that choice. His insights provide valuable perspectives on the events and arguments related to the step I am about to take. In fact, I consider myself extremely fortunate in this sense, as few of my contemporaries or peers could receive such a rare and precious opportunity from their fathers. The knowledge and wisdom he has imparted to me serve as a guiding force in my journey, becoming an invaluable treasure that shapes my understanding of the world. As he continues to share his insights, I feel I am steadily progressing on the path to developing a conscious and enlightened personality.

The Unspoken Confession

Dear Dad,

June 1st is your birthday, and I’ve never wished you a happy birthday. But that doesn’t mean I don’t love you. In fact, I love you thousands of times more than you could ever imagine. Though I haven’t posted birthday wishes or tributes for you on social media, I believe that love isn’t measured by public gestures. I carry a different belief: true love needs no performance.

How could I ever stop loving you? Even my soul longs for you, and your thoughts and emotion are always with me. The truth is, even if the world sees no value in a dad, a son needs no reason to love his dad, a good son’s love remains unchanged. Additionally, your sweat and sacrifices are present in everything I have from my body to the things I use. How could I ever ignore or forget what you’ve done for me? I promise that I always walk the path youve shown me and strive to fulfil the dreams you envisioned for me. Your younger son always honours you.

Birthday Wishes
On this special day, the greatest gift I can offer you is my heartfelt birthday wishes, expressed through this article as a token of my appreciation and gratitude. We all have unique thoughts, feelings, and emotions of gratitude towards our dads. Some choose to express them, while others do not. Of those who do, some share their feelings publicly, while others prefer to do so privately. And sometimes, some people follow social norms on platforms like social media, presenting their appreciation as a mere formality. I once belonged to those who remained silent. However, today, for the first time, I am openly expressing my thoughts and feelings as well as my gratitude to you – in writing and publicly

Dad, I know that you think of me more than you think of yourself. Your greatest wish is to see me thrive, succeed, and become the person you’ve always dreamed of. I want you to know that I am walking that path with all my determination and strength, honoring the dreams you have for me. If time allows, I will reach that place one day. As a dad, I know you worry about me, but I ask you not to worry too much. Your younger son has always followed in your footsteps and will continue to do so, never wavering from your path. On this special day, I wish you heartfelt love, good health, and lasting happiness. Though we are far apart, you are always close to my heart. I think of you every day and long for the moment when we can be together again. Even though we speak almost daily, your voice always resonates in my heart. I am always with you in spirit. Today, I am known in our society because of your name, but one day, I want to make you so proud that you will be known because of me. And when that day comes, I believe that you will be the happiest person in our family that will be the greatest gift I could ever give you.

Keshav Gharti Magar