A daughter's wish - Daddy's pride
Published:Thursday | June 28, 2018 | 12:00 AM
Mandeville, Manchester:
"The sign of good parenting is not the child's behaviour; the sign of truly great parenting is the parent's behaviour".
- Andy Smithson
When Family & Religion caught up the daddy -daughter duo, Shana-Gay and Carl Henry at a recent family fun day, it was clear that the two had a lot of respect for each other and valued each other's opinions - more than enough reason to find out about the intricacies of their relationship.
"He's caring and sharing and he is always looking out for his children," Shana-Gay announced, beaming as her father stood by her side.
Shana-Gay contends that she is the favourite girl of all the siblings, but not wanting to get into trouble Daddy Carl responded:
"Bwoy me cyan answer dah part deh, all a dem a me favourite," he said laughing.
Carl said that his children have never given him a reason to feel regret.
"Them grow up nice, man, God know. They really didn't do anything that caused me to get out on them or anything like that. Nothing that really made me have to give them a beating."
He said that he has done everything to ensure that his children have the basic necessities.
"Farming is the main job ... you have to ensure that they (children) have food to eat and any other little thing I get to do - mason work, anything. I do it because light bill haffi pay, water bill haffi pay, and food haffi deh pon table ..."
With a father who has provided all he can, Shana-Gaye says that it hurts her to know that children out there don't have a father who is willing to provide for them as her father did and still does.
"Sometimes, we didn't have all that we needed, but God always provide and my father is always trying. Children are the future and you have to take care of them. They are your responsibility. You are responsible to love them and if they are the future and you want the future to be bright, you have to nurture them."
Shana-Gay's wish is that her father will return to church with her, but more so that she will be able to take him outside of the country in the near future.
"I would go to church, man. As a matter of fact, I used to go to church, but you know me just take a little U-turn. But I would love to go to Africa, and my daughter wants to go, too," Carl chimed in quickly.
He added that he only wants the best for the children - a lifetime of happiness.
"A lot of men not pulling them weight and you have to look after your kids because when you are old, they are the ones you are looking to, to look after you, so kids must get good care. What I have to say to my children is just praise God and live. Praise God and live," he ended.