Lindeners share their experiences and the importance of having a father in their lives

By Utamu Belle

The significant role a father plays in moulding and shaping the lives of his children cannot be underestimated. For some, a father is a stern figure who sets the rules as it relates to rights and wrongs, steers his children along the right path, is a provider, an ardent leader and protector.

For some of us, growing up with our father in the household had its fair share of benefits as we reminisce of how his advice, sternness of simple acts of love and kindness may have had a significant impact on our lives. But for others, growing up without a biological father in the household, meant seeing mothers juggle between roles or someone else stepping up to fill the gap and play the role of a father figure.

Either way, those experiences would have shaped our lives in one way or another.
In light of Father’s Day, we asked a few Lindeners what having a father in their life means or meant to them and how having a father/not having a father around has impacted/ influenced their lives.

Quincy McAlmont
“My life growing up with my father was great. My father was there for me throughout my entire life. He is my hero and my role model. My father, Caesar McAlmont, because of the lessons he has given me and the important role that he has played in my life; it has made me a better father and role model for my kids. I salute him every day for stepping up to the plate and even more so as we celebrate Father’s Day.”

Karen Webster
“Not having a father figure in my life while growing up, it has really impacted me in a way that I believe my life right now would have turned out way better…Not having him around, as girls you want to have that male figure who can talk to you so you can be able to relate as you grow older, and it also helps you to choose wisely as a young woman. Because remember, what a man knows is different from what a woman knows. Women, in my opinion, are more emotional while men have a wider thinking when it comes to certain things. So, they can be able to relate to their kids especially girls, how they can do certain things and how they can react to certain things and what to do – these kinds of things. Father figures are really important…People don’t really talk about it but we really need fathers to have a role in their daughter’s lives, it will help them a whole lot while making decisions in life.”

Denisia Chapman
“Not having a father can be sad at times, especially when it’s Father’s Day or some other special event. Or when I see persons with their fathers, I feel bad not having a dad. I lost my father at a young age so I would say that it has impacted me in different ways.”

Kevin Barron
“I just wanted to highlight my understanding of fatherhood and my experience of living without a father. When I was a very young age, my mother moved myself and my seven siblings to America and my father stayed here in Guyana. My mother would’ve worked three jobs to ensure that her seven kids were well taken care of. My father was a laidback guy, very relaxed, soft spoken. He didn’t worry about too much because he had his job at the bauxite company…but my mother was the go-getter…and every single year when Father’s Day comes around, I honour my mother for the important role she played in my life – as a father, as a mother, as a motivator…provider…confidante…as a leader…My father died of prostate cancer not too long ago. It was emotional. However, when he died it solidified that I am the father of my family. All of my cousins, my sisters, everybody – any issues they have (they say) ‘let’s call Kevin, he’s going to take care of it’. So, I just wanted to, in a nutshell, say that a father could just birth you but a real man would raise you to be the man and woman that you are. It doesn’t necessarily have to be your biological father, it could be your stepfather, your uncle. But in my book, it is my mother who really raised me to be the young, intelligent entrepreneur, go getter that I am today – I salute her.”

Lindener Kim Fung also emphasised the important role her daughter’s father, Dr Joseph London, a surgeon and acting Medical Superintendent of the Linden Hospital Complex plays in his daughter Krista London’s life- “He’s a super awesome father…He finds time, he motivates and helps her to be positive in all areas of her life,” she noted.