17 years ago in the morning I had a feeling something had happened. I remember I went to lock myself in the wardrobe till they came to fetch me to go to school for summer classes. Few hours later my brother came to pick me and took me home. I got home and I saw people outside the gate. As a 12 year old, I didn’t quite understood what had happened. But I knew my grandmother and mom were crying. My mom lost her husband, my grandmother lost her first son. Few hours after, they took me out of the house to Akobo where I spent about 3 days just to be away from the mourning environment.
I fought through, I remember Daddy and Mummy Ijaopo consoled me those days I was with them at Akobo.

We had family and friends around us, the Obeyeokwus also gave me a warmth acceptance when I chose to stay at their place just cos my mom needed me somewhere away from home.

Today, I sit and I reminisce about that period and all I can say is thank God for life, thank God for my wonderful family, special thanks to my uncles, aunties and brothers.
The most valuable player in my life is my mom and I am grateful to God for keeping her safe and strong.

I miss you everyday Dad, it was intense this year cos I needed to talk to you. But I chose to talk to the father of the fatherless.
I keep taking solace in God that you are in a much better place.

I miss you Olufemi Fawole, wished I enjoyed being a daddy’s only girl .

Grief may be a thing we all have in common, but it looks different on everyone, it isn’t just death we have to grieve, it is life, it is loss, it is change of location. When we wonder why it has to suck so much sometimes, had to hurt so bad, the thing to remember is that though their presence is no more, their great memories will always be there and that is a treasure to cherish.
Rest on my first love, happy post humus birthday daddy.