Father’s Day is a celebration of fathers, honouring fatherhood, paternal bonds and the role fathers play in society. The third Sunday of June is celebrated as Father’s Day and dates back, 19 June, 1910 and was founded by Sonora Smart Dodd a daughter who wanted to complement Mother’s Day.
Smart wanted to celebrate her father, a civil war veteran, William Jackson Smart who was a single parent raising six children. The Westville Weekly Gazette spoke to Claire Needle, a mother of one and wife to Jeffery whom she has been married to for two years and two months. She said her husband is the best father to their daughter, Cara Alexis. Jeffery has been working in the police force for over ten years and is currently working as a reservist. According to his wife, Jeffery is a multitasking father who never misses a chance to express his love for his daughter and wife. “He wakes up at 4am to start his day, and will often work the night shift in police duty so that he can spend his days with us,” said Needle. She said she and her daughter wish their ‘Dada’ a Happy Father’s Day and thank him for being the most incredible father ever. Sharing the special moments when Jeffery first became a father, Needle said he was very calm, so calm that it made her nervous.
“He was too calm, and it made me nervous. When our daughter arrived he was so natural. Watching him hold her for the first time was incredibly emotional. It made me love him even more and I have never loved him more I do now. Our daughter is a daddy’s girl for sure. Jeffery is so loving, playful and protective over his little girl and that makes him the world’s best dad,” Needle said. She said Jeffery enjoys giving Cara beard tickles and putting her on his shoulders, walking around while she proudly waves at everyone and eventually rests her head on his head when she’s had enough excitement. “I believe that my husband looks up to his father, whom he says is an inspiration. His father has huge love and admiration and has overcome many obstacles in his life, and has always found a way to provide for his family. Jeffery takes pride in following in his dad’s footsteps by being an incredibly hard worker, a protector and a provider,” she said.
“I know this sounds cliché, and like the ‘right answer’, but in all honesty, we spoke about this last week and he said all he wants for Father’s Day this year is to donate to the baby home in Westville as it has been weighing heavy on his heart lately and that would make him so happy. Cara and I love “Dada” with all our hearts because he truly is selfless, so loving, protective, playful and kind. He works really hard to provide for our family. He is a dedicated member of the SAPS, and Cara loves the police siren. He always puts us first and is the cuddliest daddy in the world. He has a heart of pure gold and I couldn’t be more proud of the father he is.” Needle concluded.
