Ola Aina: My Father
February 17, 2021
My dad, Ola Aina, was a man that, with me; how can I explain it, was somewhat like a "Sanford and Son" relationship. He was never shy about being blunt about what to say to people, being honest at what he does, and does his job to the best of his ability. For years, we did work together at A-1 Auto Repair and live in the same roof. My dad and I would argue about alot of things and how to solve problems; sometimes leading up to heated ones that I would try to diffuse quickly but more than often fail. But like Spock and his father Sarek on "Star Trek", I feel like; right now; I miss the arguments we had as it was our special but weird way to talk to one another and discuss our issues. However, we both knew that we loved each other and that we would get over it soon. Some of our happiest moments are when we would watch classic TV shows like, “All in the Family”, “Gunsmoke”, “Family Feud”, etc; at the shop that he grew up watching when we weren’t working and enjoying them.
He was also a prankster, trying to put one up on me and my sister. Me and my mom, very rarely, was very hard to fool; my sister, well, you would have to talk with her about that. ;-) But that was one part of his life that helped lift things up around the house; that and when he would blast reggae music in the house. He would help the family in need when they needed it. He would be there for my uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews. He would also do his best to make sure my mom had the best of everything. As my mom was a bit more protective when me and my sister would go out, he was more trusting knowing we would be safe. He would also try to make us eat the food he was brought up in Nigeria, my sister more accepting to it as I wasn’t that interested in it, but the days that I did try it out and enjoyed it, I would like to believe he was happy to see me out of my comfort zone to try something he liked. He was tough, stubborn, playful, hard-working, and fair. And would never forget where he came from. That was the kind of man he was.
I will miss him so much and I know he is in a better place with his mom, dad, and Uncle David Lowo (and pardon the expression, those two are “raising heck” in heaven).
I know I would never get the chance to say my last words to him personally but I feel this will be as close as I will get to do that. So, this is not a goodbye, but more of a "See You Later".
I LOVE YOU, DAD!!!
Love,
Matthew Brewer
He was also a prankster, trying to put one up on me and my sister. Me and my mom, very rarely, was very hard to fool; my sister, well, you would have to talk with her about that. ;-) But that was one part of his life that helped lift things up around the house; that and when he would blast reggae music in the house. He would help the family in need when they needed it. He would be there for my uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews. He would also do his best to make sure my mom had the best of everything. As my mom was a bit more protective when me and my sister would go out, he was more trusting knowing we would be safe. He would also try to make us eat the food he was brought up in Nigeria, my sister more accepting to it as I wasn’t that interested in it, but the days that I did try it out and enjoyed it, I would like to believe he was happy to see me out of my comfort zone to try something he liked. He was tough, stubborn, playful, hard-working, and fair. And would never forget where he came from. That was the kind of man he was.
I will miss him so much and I know he is in a better place with his mom, dad, and Uncle David Lowo (and pardon the expression, those two are “raising heck” in heaven).
I know I would never get the chance to say my last words to him personally but I feel this will be as close as I will get to do that. So, this is not a goodbye, but more of a "See You Later".
I LOVE YOU, DAD!!!
Love,
Matthew Brewer
