Thorn amid roses
"Being a father is the most precious gift from God and it comes with great responsibility, because these small, vulnerable persons, depend on you to take care and protect them," says Francois Hartlief, a father of five daughters.
POLOKWANE – “Being a father is the most precious gift from God and it comes with great responsibility, because these small, vulnerable persons, depend on you to take care and protect them,” says Francois Hartlief, a father of five daughters.
In celebration of Father’s Day on Sunday, Hartlief shares his views on fatherhood with Review.
“My biggest fear is that I will not be able to take care of them and see them grow old,” he says.
According to Francois, he finds balance between being a devoted father and a hard working man by ensuring he spends adequate time with his family, usually on weekends.
“We would go on road trips to nearby holiday resorts or drive out for a few days during the school holidays. We also go bowling, watch movies or just sit at home and spend time together. My eldest daughter and I go for breakfast at least once a week to spend one on one time together.”
He adds that there is no greater joy than walking in the house and being received with love by his daughters.
“When I walk through the door, my two youngest daughters run to me and sit on my lap and hold me tight. There are no words to describe the feelings and emotions that go through my mind at that time. One will never find such honest and pure love,” says Francois.
Asked if he wishes he had a son, he says no.
“My daughters are a handful, so I don’t get time to long for a son. I also have a very soft spot in my heart for children in our community and therefore I am a father of sons, even if they are not related to me by blood. There are a lot of young men in Westenburg that I have adopted as my own because when I see potential in a person and that person is hard working and goal driven, I try to help where I can,” he says.
Francois will spend Father’s Day with his father, Karel.
“My dad is the father of our family. Me, my children and my other siblings will be spending the day with him. I would like to take this opportunity to wish all fathers a Happy Father’s Day.
” It is easy to become a parent, but it takes a man to be a father.”
