(originally posted on 14 May 2013)

I KNOW THIS IS NOT COMMON THROUGHOUT THE WORLD BUT TONGA CELEBRATES THE FATHER'S DAY THIS COMING SUNDAY (19TH OF MAY). IT MAKES THE MONTH OF MAY THE MONTH OF THE FAMILY. IT STARTED WITH THE ''FAKAME'' FOR THE CHILDREN ON THE FIRST SUNDAY, MOTHER'S DAY ON THE SECOND SUNDAY, AND FATHER'S DAY ON THE THIRD SUNDAY. FOR ME THIS IS MORE MEANINGFUL AND HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH BUSINESS. IT'S A DAY TO THANK THE LORD FOR ALL THE FATHERS IN THE FAMILY IN TONGA. THE SACRIFICES YOU DO FOR THE SAKE OF THE FAMILY. MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND FILL YOUR HEARTS WITH THE LOVE AND JOY OF THIS SPECIAL DAY. THAT YOU MAY HAVE THE STRENGTH TO FULFILL YOUR ROLES IN THE FAMILY, COMMUNITY AND THE CHURCH. FAKATAUANGE KE MOU MA'U HA SAPATE TAMAI MOHU TAPUAKI MO FIEFIA FOKI. FAKAA'U ATU E 'OFA KI SI'I NGAAHI TAMAI 'OKU NAU TOULEKELEKA MO MAHAMAHAKI, KAE 'UMA'A E SI'I NGAAHI TAMAI KUO NAU MU'OMU'A ATU MO TATOKA HE FA'ITOKA KO LOMA....KE MOU TOKA HE 'OFA MOE FAIMEESI 'AE 'OTUA. 'OFA LAHI ATU KIA KIMOUTOLU HONO KOTOA SI'I NGAAHI TAMAI MOE HUFAKI.