My Dad Was a Special Man
In Georgetown, Guyana, my father had the responsibility of raising 11 children. As a carpenter and later clerk of works, he did this with dignity despite his daily challenges.
My dad was a special man to us. He was the first in his family’s life and regardless how difficult things got he always came through for us. We were 11 children born in the same house in Georgetown, Guyana. Yes, we were poor. There were struggles but my father led the charge in doing whatever he could as the sole provider. He was resolute in his determination with clearly defined goals in mind.
My Father Shows Us the Way
It seems that knowing my dad as a young man has always been a thrill to us as kids. We sincerely admired him and hung on to his every word. After all, he and my mother were our first teachers. Of the 11 of us, seven were girls and four boys. The three of the eldest in our team were boys. That is why early in our lives, our father geared his energy towards us – the boys. He played sports and games with us. Brought us on trips and at Easter, we were sure to fly kites on the seawall, an architectural wonder that runs along the East Coast, constructed by the Dutch.
As the girls came along our home became more and more crowded. For the most part we laid mats and slept on the floor in a three-room house. My stay-at-home mom had her hands full. She did most of the housework, shopped, sewed clothes and cooked our meals with the help of my sisters, but at nights it was my father who had us with our school books and demonstrated his disciplinary skill.
My dad was a peaceful man. He was never confrontational, but was fond of relaxing in his rocking chair as he ate peanuts and listened to local and foreign programs. You must realize that in our younger years there was no TV in Guyana, few magazines, but many Guyanese depended on their local libraries for information.
Our family was raised Anglican. My father belonged to St. George’s Cathedral, but my mother was Methodist. Since the boys were the eldest of the lot, we followed in our father’s footsteps and joined the Anglican Church in Georgetown. As part of our religious upbringing, we were not only baptized Anglican, but my brother Jeffrey and I became choir boys.
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Published in: Family
sheilanewton | Jun 4, 2012 | Reply
Oh how wonderful. I can just picture your dad in his rocking chair, scoffing peanuts. What a wonderfully descriptive piece. And the story-telling is magic. Thanks honey. I so enjoyed this.
Tiki33 | Jun 4, 2012 | Reply
Sounds like your Dad was a very good man.
jennifer eiffel01 | Jun 4, 2012 | Reply
Very lovelytory. Ddy was special he would tell us everything that went on at work, too. I called them ‘work stories’. And every morning at about 8am before he started work I had to call him at work. He was the manager so his men picked up the phone and if I did not call everybody was worried and asking all day if I called!
Kharla Jolly | Jun 4, 2012 | Reply
A beautiful story about your upbringing. Having two wonderful, loving parents was the greatest blessing, that life had to offer.My family was poor also, yet I have beautiful memories of times spent with my parents. God is good!
Lynn Proctor | Jun 5, 2012 | Reply
What absolutely wonderful memories, and what challenges as well, with 11 kids in a three-room house. You have a blessed family. Thank you for sharing parts of your life.
Eunike | Jun 5, 2012 | Reply
Sounds like my late dad. He was also a peaceful man
Eunike | Jun 5, 2012 | Reply
Sounds like my late dad. He was also peaceful man.
sabanawaz | Jun 5, 2012 | Reply
absolutely wonderful memories,
Aroosa Gloomy | Jun 5, 2012 | Reply
Shows the love through ur writing
Lorna Z | Jun 5, 2012 | Reply
the family bonding is something to be treasured.
binnys18303 | Jun 5, 2012 | Reply
Great post but may i know what you do right now.
ImKarn23 | Jun 5, 2012 | Reply
You’re a lucky man, ER, to have a father AND a mother to lead as examples of great parents, committed to their family and to each other. Personally, i love the traditional roles that came naturally and worked only because of respect and appreciation. Some of us were not as lucky as you – it’s nice to see that you realize this and are grateful for the life lessons you were gifted with!
gaby7 | Jun 5, 2012 | Reply
Very interesting personal story! My own Dad was a very strict man, who never entertained laziness. Doing the chores was a must and making the evening Bonfire was the responsibilities of the boys, while girls fetched water and firewood! There was no crossing the gender ascribed roles…if my father found a boy near a cooking pot in the kitchen, that would spell a real war!
lauralu | Jun 5, 2012 | Reply
Wonderful heartwarming tribute to your Dad, I knew He was a great Father, as it is evident in you His legacy.
sisterhood | Jun 7, 2012 | Reply
I really did appreciate this tribute.indeed they were both special
people,and left great memories inplanted,the best things in life
are free air.water,love and peace with the blessings of the good
lord and togetherness we are happy people.thanks Erwin you made my day,it raised some emotions.
sisterhood | Jun 7, 2012 | Reply
I really did appreciate this tribute.indeed they were both special
people,and left great memories inplanted,the best things in life
are free air.water,love and peace with the blessings of the good
lord and togetherness we are happy people.thanks Erwin you made my day,it raised some emotions.
Safa | Jun 8, 2012 | Reply
Lovely to read this
Fleur D | Jun 9, 2012 | Reply
You are a really good ,captivating writer. I hope you have a novel/ebook I can read as well. I read all the time different articles and books. I really enjoyed this one. My parents are also deceased. I would like to read more stories about your family life. Interesting.
silverpoet | Jun 9, 2012 | Reply
It is always wonderful to hear someone who speak of their father, I am proud of my father also, he was always there for seven of us with my mother, then later with his second wife of 4 more children, he love us all and still was there….