LETTER TO ODUMU RHONVBHO (THE WHITE LION)
Dearest Daddy,
I write you this letter because writing a tribute became a herculean task when it dawned on me, I had to write one; my conflict was and still is; how can I write to someone who is very much living in me and my siblings in different ways. Even though you are gone, I know you are here and never far away. Imoudume calls himself the Living Legend, I once told him that he was in order because you are the Original Legend; which you are! The Ehiede Original Legend!!!
We have not stopped talking since the 13th. When you showed me how much connected we were; I did not understand why throughout the night of Friday the 12th, I could not sleep even though I was tired but sleep evade me till 7.00am of the 13th when I was able to catch an hour sleep. I woke up and immediately knew I had to call Ini Mercy, which I did. She told me you were okay when we eventually spoke at about 12.30. Only for her to call me about 2.00pm that the doctors wanted to take you to the intensive care unit, she was uncontrollable but I told her that you will be fine. I was confident.
My Odumu Rhonvbho, I never knew you will show how connected we are on that faithful day, hmm...as you are aware at 3.40pm I became feverish, shivers that lasted for 3minutes. After the shivers, I took my phone and sent a message to Ini Mercy. A message which read “Ini Mercy, it is well. Let God’s will be done. Please be strong. Remain blessed” This message was delivered at 3.43pm on the 13th. When Zoba called me at 4.15pm to tell me, I told him I knew. He said he had to call Maliq first according to seniority, I told him I understood and told him God bless him.
Dad, you have crossed over to the other side, “you have lived and now died so you can live forever” after fulfilling your mission here on earth and a beautiful one it was. I surely enjoyed the ride with you all the way from age 3 when I became aware, trusting you without borders or restrains; sweet memories of waking up at night or early hours; specially weekends hearing the sound of music coming from the parlour while making your music recordings for your car cartridges; is it the swimming or playing football with you…. too many. I knew all you ever wanted for this your sickly child was good health, my wellbeing and success. By God’s grace, we achieved that good health which eluded me for years till age 13. We both fought, you made me a fighter teaching me never ever to give up. You always told me then when I was young to never be afraid, that the Lion is not the biggest nor the fastest but he is king and fearless; so, as a child of a lion, I should never be afraid “. When I was older you told me to have no fear!!! You always drummed it into my ears to respect everyone both old and young but never fear anyone or have any fear!!!
Buddha said
“Your purpose in life is to find your purpose and give your whole heart and soul to it”
Dad, you found your purpose early in life and that was “love”; which you showered on every soul you came across. You may not have been rich in material things but you were wealthy in all things. You gave when you didn’t have; you sacrificed and gave… you didn’t know how to stop giving or say No!
You were a father, a confidant, a friend, a mentor and a generous giver to all.
I recall in 1978, Maliq and I were going through obituaries, a particular one stood out of a man whose virtues were being extoled, we both laughed, looked at ourselves exclaiming that this is Daddy now when we read a particular virtue of the man. It read “he was too kind to a fault” that is who you are, who you were and who you would always be. If I had the opportunity in another life to choose my father; I will definitely choose you over and over again without a blink of an eye. You are a rare gem, a white lion without fear but operated with love.
Odumu Rhonvbho without love, it is not possible to achieve all you did in your sojourn on earth. You made it possible all because of your purpose of sharing love. Love surely does conquer all and you prove it in all your dealings. Your feat was not achieved in sudden flight but was purposeful and you never deviated from it. I always marveled at your Christian faith even when things were not going right; the love you had for God and everyone. Always telling me to hold on to God; you taught me how to pray and talk to God; telling me that “Greater is HE that is in me than he that is in the world” that I should always take all my problems to God and never be ceaseless in my prayers in faith to God; the father.
Your library which was inexhaustive with different books, taught me quite a lot at an early age, sometimes I would just sit down in your chair in the library and be looking at the different books, wondering how you were able to read and digest so many books. When I asked you; you smiled telling me it was interest, practice and dedication that reading was always the best way of acquiring knowledge. It was a hobby you loved so much and maintained throughout your life time here on earth.
Have I come to terms with the fact that I will not see you again, I do not know; you taught me a lot but never how to deal with the loss of a dearly beloved father. You prepared me for every possible happening on earth but not this; there is no book or school that can teach this bitter sweet experience. Bitter because it is painful, sweet because I know you are in a better place and a celebration of your life after fulfilling Seventy scores plus thirteen. You were a friend to my friends; age never restricted you from interacting with my friends; As my friends always said you were a cool Dad. You were my paddy man, my friend and confidant; we always talked about everything, there was no issue I could not bring to you or discuss with you. Even when you reprimanded me, you did it in such a way that I leant the lesson without feeling terrible.
Your shoes are not easy to fill or wear; a rare gem, a white lion, I bless the day you begot me and thank God for having you as my father. When I saw you on the 17th after your passing, I saw peace and I felt the peace. You are in a better place, doing what you do best, sharing your love.
I am happy, elated for the love you gave and showed me while thanking God for the opportunity I was given to be able to reciprocate that love. In life, you were my hero, now you are my LEGEND that will continue to live in my heart, the hearts of your wife, my siblings, my wife, my children and everyone you ever came across and touched. I have come to the realisation that Death is a thing that happens in life and not to life, so we all need to make life count; and Dad, you sure did make life count.
Now, I have gained an Angel!!!
“Odumu Rhonvbho Rest on in Peace as you continue to live”
Loving you now; Always and All ways
“Uzoka”
Your Loving Son
Ailoje Mustapha Ehiede
