In honor of my Dad, I would like to share a special poem that I composed for him.
"Hu Guaiya Hao, Dad"
I love you more than words can say,
For all that you are
And all that you do
To provide for us each and every day.
Your strength has always been our foundation,
The steady force that carried our family through life’s storms.
Your wisdom has been the light that guided us,
Showing us the right path
Even when the road ahead seemed uncertain.
Through your stern, yet caring ways,
You taught us lessons that shaped who we are today.
You taught us discipline when we needed direction,
Patience when we wanted to give up,
And perseverance when life tested our limits.
You showed us that true strength is not found
In never falling,
But in rising every single time we do.
Because of you,
We learned how to stand tall
Even when the weight of life feels heavy.
We learned to face challenges with courage,
To push forward with determination,
And to never surrender when things become difficult.
You taught us resilience, honor, and integrity –
To always do what is right,
To carry ourselves with dignity,
And to keep striving for success
No matter how many obstacles stand in our way.
You may not always see
The incredible impact you’ve made on our lives,
But every sacrifice you made,
Every long day,
Every lesson you taught,
And every act of love you gave
Lives within us.
Your hard work built more than a home for us –
It built the values that guide us,
The courage that strengthens us,
And the love that continues to hold us together.
You have given us so much of yourself,
Often without asking for anything in return.
And though we may not always say it enough,
Please know that your love has never gone unnoticed.
It has been felt in every sacrifice,
Seen in every effort,
And treasured in every memory.
Dad, please know how deeply you are appreciated.
We are who we are because of you,
And we will always carry your lessons with us.
Hu guaiya hao, Dad.
© Matilda Naputi Rivera
