Daddy,
 Do you see me ? Do you see the tears flowing down my eyes as I type these words? I wish I cauld bring back the hands of time. Regrets, unspoken words, unfulfilled plans,  dreams -

I remember you , I miss you so badly. I am hurting so bad. I know you will want me to be strong but I am sorry if I am diasppointing you now . I can't be strong anymore. Remebering you today brings back painful memories of Nnam and Furu. How can I go on ? The world is out there , raging but you provided a safe haven for us.Who will protect us now ? I called Mummy, She misses you and even though She is trying to be strong, I can feel the pain in her voice . Oga Tom is crying and asking for you. He remebers your birthday and misses you.

I really wish I can say it is well but daddy, nedim , its not well. I miss you badly and it hurts so much 

Today is my Daddy's birthday. Yes, my Daddy! (I remember the look on my son's face, the first time he heard me call you 'Daddy' - he either thought he alone has a 'Daddy' or only kids have 'Daddy'). I started appreciating you more every day for being my Daddy, for the role model you have been to me and your 'big' love for me, when I first left home for uni and then when I got married, had my kids & hear them call me 'Daddy'. I now know how deep, wide and tall a Daddy's love is. I look back and can say my Daddy loved me so much and still does - I didn't need to hear you tell me. Loving you more every day, Daddy! Happy Birthday!

“Say not in grief that he is no more

but say in thankfulness that he was

For death is not the extinguishing of a light,

but the putting out of the lamp

because the dawn has come.

Rabindranath Tagore