The truth is that, those we love are never truly gone. The body may have run its course, but the soul lives forever. Things will never be the same and the absence of my father will forever leave a huge void in our lives.
Personally, today being Daddy’s birthday, I am so thankful for the time I had with him on this earth and the many memories that I will always cherish. The example he left us with, was to live a life full of charity, to love one another. And he always lived that way.
I am so proud of my dad. As we shared the last day that we would have with him, one prayer kept coming to my mind. "Thank you. Thank you, God, for giving me such a great father." On that day my father gave up, my junior sister Marieclaire called me. I just sat alone and I said two things: please wake up, and I love you. I didn't doubt that my dad knew that we loved him. I just wanted more opportunities to tell him so. I wanted him to wake up because I couldn't imagine what my life would be like without him, when he had been there for me my entire life. There are so many things coming up in the future that I wanted to share with him. However, during his last hours, I had complete confidence that his passing wasn't due to a lack of strength and determination to stay with us as long as he possibly could. It was simply the will of God
My dad was very dedicated to his family. All of his life, family came first. He dedicated his life to us. With the exception of work, nothing filled my dad's time that didn't involve his family. He coached me on everything I ever tried. My dad was the first person I would call with good news, or when I wanted advice, or when I just wanted to talk. No one in my life has ever offered me as much encouragement as my dad. Even the lectures that he would give to correct my behaviour often included the words, "My children are too smart for that." I never had a problem he wasn't willing to help me solve. As generous as my dad was with his time and his assistance, he was even more generous with his love.
Now that I am a parent, I understand more clearly what it takes to be a good dad like him. He loved to educate people on how to teach others & on how to live a quality life.
My dad had many loves and interests but if there is one thing that I would want you to remember my dad for, it would be that he loved us with all his heart. As we gather here today to celebrate his life, I know there is not one member of my dad's family that wished Dad had loved them more. My dad's family wishes they could have loved him longer. There are six words that I would like to use to tell you who my father really was:
My Dad had a PRESENCE.
When Dad was home, you knew it. He filled the room when he walked in, whether it was the house, at work, the doctor’s office or a restaurant. He had a command, a presence, a confidence. Dad was a SOLDIER.
Dad was a tough, determined, loyal, responsible trooper. That’s how he lived. So many of his decisions were simple and that’s just what I am going to do when I am faced with issues that need fast n concrete decisions Dad was a FRIEND.
Dad had a ton of friends. He had an extraordinary relational ability. He knew how to make people feel Special. Dad was a BROTHER.
Family was really important to Dad. “Family is number one,” he’d say. He was OPTIMISTIC.
Dad was positive. When he was going from disaster to disaster he’d say, “It’ll all come out in the wash.” When his health was horrible you’d ask how he was doing and he’d respond, “I’m doing a hundred.” When Daddy had cancer, I once asked him how he dealt with it. Do you know what he said? “I never gave it a second thought.” He was optimistic. And, his optimism bordered and sometimes spilled over to denial. In fact, that optimism fuelled him. Dad was IMPROVING.
My dad wasn’t perfect. Now is not the time to talk about his imperfections, idiosyncrasies or issues. The good news is he got better with age.
My best memories of dad were the times when he apologized to me for all that the family went through during his last days. An apology acknowledges that we aren’t perfect and we need forgiveness.
Finally, my Dad was an intelligent, loving, loyal and extraordinary man. He was our father, grandfather, husband, uncle, coach, professor, friend, and an unbelievable hunter. He left us doing what he loved.
God pours life into death and death into life without a drop being spilled. And I think death may be the greatest of all human blessings. Oh death; Every word affords me pain. Yet how sweet it would be if I could hear what the flowers have to say about death!
BESONG EYONG TABE
