Loveleaf

Sometimes I come back from work and, the moment I open the gate, a few little juniors are already waiting for me. "Uncle!" "Uncle, umerudi?" Over time, I made it a habit to carry a few sweets or treats in my backpack because I know they'll be waiting. Some run toward me. Some jump on me. Some want me to carry them. Some are simply waiting for a hug. In those moments, a thought quietly creeps into my mind: "I think I'll make a great dad." But that's the expectation trap. It is easy to conclude that I'd be an amazing father because I enjoy the beautiful moments. Yet I haven't walked through sleepless nights, changing diapers, paying school fees, disciplining children, praying through their mistakes, sacrificing personal dreams, or carrying the emotional weight that comes with raising another human being. The smiles are real. The affection is real. But they are only a tiny part of fatherhood. The full picture is much bigger tha...