Dear ‘Vemi,

I write this in the hope that one day you will read the very many heartfelt testaments to your father and find some comfort from reading them.

I hope he told you enough just how special you were to him. He certainly told a lot of us, and for many years. He was so proud of you and talked about you all the time. Since you were little, growing and when thereafter grown.

We lived with you vicariously through your father, and there will be so many who you don’t know that know you so much from his fatherly pride.

We lived with you as the young lad who at a point went to London. We knew your grades, where you lived and the oh so special moments of the solid Universities you attended, your first job, your posting closer to home, your Masters’ degree. You were the blueprint he used to advise a pathway for so many others young & old; my son likely soon headed for MPW because of his insistence. We as parents always want our children to have more than we did. You do.

There will be so many who will love and embrace you just for being his and your mother’s child. Doors will open for you without your knowing just from the signature of your face and, by your surname no need to ask further who you are.

Still with the concept of Discipline smattering through his pride, I would remind him he wasn’t a military man even though he looked up so much to that branch of discipline and order. While looking solidly like your father when he was young, you weren’t as rascally as he was; he being a class act unto himself. Nonetheless, like grand old dames, we were all waiting for you to marry, to receive your bride; also chuckling at those who would be matchmakers and those thinking they were matchmaking without being noticed. Tickled that you were simply getting on with your life without realising that you had a breadth of cheerleaders with you on the pitch you simply playing your game.

I hope you knew of his pride in you. I wish you the strength and fortitude to deal with his loss. I wish you peace and a smile every time you think of him.

You resembling his younger self so much will continue to remind us all of him. I also wish you long life, in good health. Amen.