Jamaican families share Father's Day stories of love, guidance and lasting memory

This Father's Day, Jamaican children and fathers spoke about what the relationship means to them — through everyday outings, hard-won advice, laughter on long drives, and memories that remain even after loss.

Several young people described their dads as heroes, teachers, protectors, and friends. Terrence Hamilton said fatherhood is "a great experience" and that it matters deeply when a child can call you "Daddy." His children said he loves them and their sister equally. They recalled picnics, a father-and-daughters day, and an outing that was meant to include burgers but ended at KFC instead.

One father said he loves being around his children, taking them out, sitting with them, and listening to stories they sometimes share with him rather than their mother. He said there was not much he received while growing up, so he pushes hard to give his children opportunities he missed, including support for schooling and college.

Kadia Lorne Knights said she loves her father because he works hard, gives good advice, and tells her she can be anything and should go for her dreams. Among her favourite moments are his dancing at his 60th birthday party and the evenings he picked her up from high school so they could shop together.

Another father recalled travelling from Kingston to Clarendon in the 1990s to fish at the Salt River with his son. He called it his most memorable moment. He said he lost his son several years later.

Alicia Miller described her father as a devoted "girl dad" who can handle anything. Her favourite memory is a drive back from Ocho Rios when flooding at Bog Walk Gorge forced them through Sligoville over badly damaged roads. After the car hit a deep pothole they called a crater, her father's sudden, unexpected remark about her dead granny in red trousers left everyone laughing — a moment she still associates with trips toward Ochi.

The feature also noted that Father's Day can be emotional for children whose fathers have died, even though their memories endure. One person remembered being put to sleep as a small child on her father's stomach. Another recalled her father calling her to an almond tree in the yard to point out changing leaves and to say that people can change without warning — advice she still carries.

Others spoke of learning from their fathers what it takes to be a man: staying true to your word and backing what you say with action. The piece closed with Happy Father's Day greetings to fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers, and father figures.