IT comes once a year and is a day especially set aside to celebrate the lives of our fathers. But Father’s Day like Mother’s Day and Palm Sunday many believe should be celebrated every day while we have the free gift of life.

For many, this will be a day to honour their fathers and give credit back to where it is due.

Father’s Day is considered extremely important as it helps acknowledge the contribution of fathers to individual families and to the society they serve at large.

Besides observance of Father’s Day, it provides children an opportunity to express love and respect for their fathers or the father figures in their lives.

The sentiment goes a long way in strengthening father-child relationship and consequently in the emotional development of a child.

Father’s Day gives you the opportunity to express thanks to your dad for all their unconditional love, sacrifices and affection.

Observance of Father’s Day makes fathers feel that their contributions are acknowledged in the society and also by their children. They feel proud of themselves! Besides by celebrating Father’s Day, children come closer to their fathers.

Some children take the sacrifices by their parents for granted and it’s not until when they lose them that they realise this.

Celebration of Father’s Day allows us to ponder on the important role our fathers play in our lives.

Suva market vendor, Sailosi Tagane said today on Father’s Day he experienced a bittersweet feeling.

“I lost my wife six years ago, and every Father’s Day she would make sure our children prepared a big feast and she would make a long speech of how we first met,”Ms Tagane recalled with a heavy heart.

He said Father’s Day was not the same without his late wife. Nevertheless, he called on father’s to treat their wives with respect and above all, love them for who they are.

Another father, this newspaper spoke to randomly Mikaele Toga said today he reflected on his journey as a young man.

“I salute every father for their undying commitment and ensuring that all members of the families receive their fair share of happiness,” he said.

He said today, he paid tribute to his late father who had worked hard for a decent life for his children.