Dad, the Built-In Bodyguard

On the Kindness of Fathers

If there’s one person in my life who can bring an instant smile to my face, it’s my dad. I’ve come to realize that my dad may be the only person in my life who expects absolutely nothing in return from me. His quiet strength, his unwavering belief in me, and the prayers he says for me each day, carry me through life in every way. For this love, I remain deeply grateful and respectful.

Today, I write this piece to honor dads, specifically my dad, but also my child’s dad, and all the men in my life who have shown up with the heart of a father raising, supporting, mentoring, and loving me with intention, consistency, and quiet grace. I’ve witnessed the quiet power of dads who are not always seen, not always heard, but are always there. They are powerful as they learn to braid their child’s hair, paint their toenails, cheer at their ball game, hold space for them, and read their every expression. Through this piece, I honor these fathers — biological, chosen, spiritual — and celebrate all those who carry the sacred calling of fatherhood. You may not always stand in the spotlight, but you are always, deeply, profoundly loved.

Dad, the Built-In Bodyguard, Free of Charge!

Not all who love, loudly speak
of their quiet love both strong and deep,
of sacrifices and steady hands,
of showing up even in far off lands.

Like a marmoset with his baby clung,
Or a seahorse birthing the young,
Like a penguin, he guards his little one
He parents with all his might and all the fun!

He wakes for work, he aches, he bends,
Yet joyfully, his stories and his listening ear he lends.
He names his daughter after gold,
Sees moonlight in the child he holds.

He doesn’t whine, nor ask for praise,
He walks through storm and sunlit blaze.
He lifts the weight with silent grace,
Builds a fortress for her in this hurried race.

He paints his nails pink and blue,
Follows her lead and does everything she’d do.
He learns her dolls by name and role,
And claps the loudest at her mighty goals.

And even when she’s thirty, grown, complete,
He texts her boss to check if she eats.
Not to pry, but to see,
If she is thriving, stress-free.

He checks the weather every day
In lands where she lives far away.
“Take a scarf,” he says with care,
As if his voice can warm the air.

He cheers her wins; he hides his pain.
He walks beside her through the rain.
No need for medals, stage, or fame
He lives to keep her heart aflame.

And if you see him, you may miss,
That all he wants is this pure bliss —
His child safe, her spirit bright,
Her dreams alive, her soul alight.

So, here’s to dads — the strong, the kind,
The ones the world leaves far behind.
But we, their children, always know,
Their love is what helps us grow.

A dad like that? Rare but true.
A built-in bodyguard, free of charge, always loving you!

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About the Author: Siva priya Santhanam is an only child to her parents and the mother of her only child. She identifies as an empath, a lifelong learner, and a multipotentialite with interests and abilities across various fields. She speaks, reads, and writes in two languages other than English. For work, she researches ways to promote well-being for autistic adults and their families and teaches students to become respectful and skilled speech and language therapists.

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