November 23, 2020
November 23, 2020
Dear Daddy,
Another year has rolled has rolled by since your funeral in 2018. I remember how we tried hard to make it one which honored your memory and celebrated your legacy. We strove to do things the way we thought you would want them done. I think we succeeded to a large extent. I hope you and all our critics will forgive our oversights.
Although you fell silent some months before your passing, you strove to communicate how you wanted things to be done. I saw in your eyes the frustration of a master craftsman whose tools have failed him, a musician whose instruments no longer worked. You were an energetic man, a ‘motor boy’ as Mum once described you in the slang of the 60’s. You always strove to improve the status quo, always on the go to somewhere, to set up something, to help someone. Your BP went down when you were busiest- crazy but true. So, when those fatal heart attacks slowed down your brilliant mind and body, slowed down your hectic schedules and scholarly contributions, you understandably felt deflated.
Your next best thing was to tell stories! I grew up on a rich diet of your true-life tales – who did what, when and where, why it mattered and how it affected our society or family. You were always objective and quite generous in your character assessments. You easily overlooked shortcomings, understood weaknesses and forgave even the gravest offences. I used to think this lack of reckoning was a flaw but I have since learnt that it was your strong suit. You did not burden yourself with pain of past betrayals but chose to see the best in people. You were a sincere man Dad, without guile. Even your mistakes were honest and your failings genuine. This counts for much.
I miss your wise counsel. Can’t count how many times I have yearned to get your advice on one thing or the other since you passed, especially cultural and academic matters. You excelled at both. I have had a few wins I sorely wanted to share with you, a few blunders I wish you could show me how to erase. You taught me to be unpretentious, now I wonder if the world still needs humility? I say my mind as you did but wonder if sycophancy wouldn’t be more appreciated? I work hard but maybe eye-service is the new meritocracy? So never again will we sit and discuss our issues? To reason things out in light of the Word of God and the wisdom of our ancestors?
Oh, how I miss you Dad.
Ugogbuzuo Ochakee!
Ocho Udo Nri!
Obinyelaku!
May God continue to give grace to your posterity for greater exploits and honour. May the good name you left for us remain untarnished in Jesus name.
Your daughter, Chineze.
Another year has rolled has rolled by since your funeral in 2018. I remember how we tried hard to make it one which honored your memory and celebrated your legacy. We strove to do things the way we thought you would want them done. I think we succeeded to a large extent. I hope you and all our critics will forgive our oversights.
Although you fell silent some months before your passing, you strove to communicate how you wanted things to be done. I saw in your eyes the frustration of a master craftsman whose tools have failed him, a musician whose instruments no longer worked. You were an energetic man, a ‘motor boy’ as Mum once described you in the slang of the 60’s. You always strove to improve the status quo, always on the go to somewhere, to set up something, to help someone. Your BP went down when you were busiest- crazy but true. So, when those fatal heart attacks slowed down your brilliant mind and body, slowed down your hectic schedules and scholarly contributions, you understandably felt deflated.
Your next best thing was to tell stories! I grew up on a rich diet of your true-life tales – who did what, when and where, why it mattered and how it affected our society or family. You were always objective and quite generous in your character assessments. You easily overlooked shortcomings, understood weaknesses and forgave even the gravest offences. I used to think this lack of reckoning was a flaw but I have since learnt that it was your strong suit. You did not burden yourself with pain of past betrayals but chose to see the best in people. You were a sincere man Dad, without guile. Even your mistakes were honest and your failings genuine. This counts for much.
I miss your wise counsel. Can’t count how many times I have yearned to get your advice on one thing or the other since you passed, especially cultural and academic matters. You excelled at both. I have had a few wins I sorely wanted to share with you, a few blunders I wish you could show me how to erase. You taught me to be unpretentious, now I wonder if the world still needs humility? I say my mind as you did but wonder if sycophancy wouldn’t be more appreciated? I work hard but maybe eye-service is the new meritocracy? So never again will we sit and discuss our issues? To reason things out in light of the Word of God and the wisdom of our ancestors?
Oh, how I miss you Dad.
Ugogbuzuo Ochakee!
Ocho Udo Nri!
Obinyelaku!
May God continue to give grace to your posterity for greater exploits and honour. May the good name you left for us remain untarnished in Jesus name.
Your daughter, Chineze.