Today I woke up thinking about you as I always do. I still wish things were different. I thank God for helping me in this journey without you Daddy. My heart still weeps from time to time. You are dearly missed.........

Wishing you a heartfelt posthumous birthday sir, you are not only family but also a dear friend. May the memories of the moments shared together continue to live and bring us comfort and warmth on this day. You may not be here physically, but your spirit and the love you left behind continue to be cherished.

Happy Birthday Daddy!
You are in my thoughts 365 days a year….
I love you forever and ever and hold on to your exemplary life daily….
I still cry but my heart is also flooded with the hope of reuniting with you tomorrow!
You were the best!!!!

On such day's like today the pains of your passing heat home in droves. After a great Wimbledon final between Djokovic and Alcaraz we would have had a long phone call discussing the game, especially with Djokovic loosing. I am all alone with no one to talk to. I really dont love watching tennis like before because it is not interesting as it used tobe without you. Rest on sir, until we meet at the resurrection, you will forever be remembered.

Dear Daddy, it still hurts today like three years ago when I heard the devastating news that shattered my world. I thought I understood what death was but now I know that it is a very painful period when you cannot see your loved one physically and talk with them. I still remember our last long discussion in December 2019. I pray that the good Lord will continue to help us all to walk in the footsteps you have left for us. We miss you so much.

A million words cannot bring you back, I know because I have tried; neither can a million tears; I say this because I have cried. You have left your footprints with glory on the sand of time. Your name will be remembered for a long time, and your story will be told for generations. Your death is the longest parting there ever will be between us. You may no longer be here with us, but I will never forget you as a winner who lived life to the fullest. You were always true to me. Missing you each second of my life. Forever remembered.

A loving, humble gentleman, full of wisdom and compassion. You were a friend, an uncle and a father. You made your mark and you left us with sweet memories. We all missed your friendship, your jokes and your counsel. Keep resting in the bosom of our Lord untill we meet to part no more. Adieu dear angel.

May 23rd 2020, a date that marks the day our lives changed forever, that day you returned to your maker and left us heart broken. The pain of loosing you; not physically seeing you and not hearing your voice has remained with us. We are extremely grateful for the comfort , peace and grace God has given us to cope. We remember the principles you taught us: humility, generosity, peace making, unity, integrity, hard work, honesty, kindness, prudence, respect and above all service to God and humanity. You were indeed a father to us and many. Thank you for showing us a father's love and protection. I am truly blessed and privileged you fathered me. We love, miss you and remember you always. Rest on my beloved daddy.

Dear Daddy,

Today marks 3 years since you went to be with the Lord.
I’m still left with thoughts of why it has to be this way…Almost everyday is still hard and it is difficult to talk about you and not to you…achieving anything without being able to share the news with you is saddening….there is so much going on I would have loved to hear your thoughts on….that I’m still here, pushing and striving is in part due to how you raised me, the other part being God’s mercies. You did so well with very little, you remain incomparable.
I hold on to God’s mercies knowing He will relieve me of this immense pain when I’m able to reunite with you someday.
Thank you for always looking out for me even when I didn’t know better…thank you for your love and even living up to your responsibilities as a father.

Love you Dad❤️

My beloved father you are fondly remembered on your birthday. Remembering you is easy, I do that everyday, the pain of loosing you still remains. It's hard to balance the brief and the gratitude but God is helping us live one day at a time celebrating the exemplary life you lived.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

I love you and miss you beyond what words can describe…
I carry you with me everyday and everywhere I go….I bless you for the foundation you lay for us….If there were do overs I would have you as my father over and over again.
The upbringing I had I would not trade for anything…I proudly carry your name and talk about you…
No matter the dynamics of heaven, I’ve made the request to God for us to be family and closely linked…Love you!

I want you to know that even though you are no longer here, I think about you every single day. There are just so many lessons that you taught me and that I always reflect on. Simply in any turn I take, there's something to remind me about you. I miss your smile; I miss your laughters and I miss your amazing sense of humour. I wish you were here to see us finally in our house. A house you invested a lot of time and energy to build. Happy posthomous birthday, sir!

Dear Daddy,

Happy Fathers’ Day…I wish I said this to you every single day while I had the chance to…a few days ago, I once again felt the agony of your not being here (as I do everyday but this was different)…I still need someone to wake me up from this nightmare…you were the epitome of the word “father” and I will forever be grateful for you..In your honour I commemorated this day appreciating all the men whom I see striving to demonstrate what that title and position holds.
This is what I sent out:

“As you walk each day making great and impactful decisions, as you strive to lead and provide, as you protect those whom have been entrusted to you and serve with dignity, please know that you are appreciated, loved and admired on this special day and all year round.

Happy Fathers Day!”

In each word I wrote I saw you…
I love and miss you so much daddy…words can’t express it…Thank you for all that you were

I am still as heartbroken as I was when I heard of your passing Daddy. I still wish it is a terrible dream that I could wake up from. I miss you so much. You left us too soon. We are trying to continue one day at a time. Till we meet again by and by.

I still can’t believe it is already two years, words cannot describe this difficult moment, but I know I will do so with the knowledge that I consider myself blessed to have lived this life knowing you.
You touched so many lives by your selfless and countless acts of kindness, always giving and never expecting any favours in return.
since you passed away,
things have not been the same.
We didn’t get to say goodbye because we never knew
that this day would come so soon,
but even though your soul has departed from earth,
you’ll always remain in my heart.
Adieu Uncle!

Dear Daddy,

In a few hours it would’ve been 2 years since you left us….I look back and for the life of me cant believe how much time has flown and how my heart hasn’t packed up already due to the pain I feel everyday when your thought crosses my mind… I thank God for His grace cause its the only reason Im still here…I still wish I went and you stayed but knowing you will never go through what you did and feel how you must’ve felt gives me comfort…I dont have the words to describe life w/o you but just know that everything, every milestone, every holiday, every endeavour does not feel okay without you…I especially wish I had your advice, stubborn and apprehensive as I may be sometimes, I always cherished all you said and taught me cause I know you believed in the truth and you lived it….we’re doing our best to take care of mummy and thank God He’s been keeping His watchful eyes over her and keeping her company (through many)…Thank God for the gift of seeing you in the future as I greatly look forward to it…I pray you’ll still be my dad no matter the set up on the other side…
This is dedicated to you on the second year of your passing

Exactly 2 years today, God in His infinite wisdom called you to rest. It hasn't been easy missing you everyday, some days I wonder shy that soon, but i am consoled knowing God blessed us with a great and loving father. We are blessed with so many pleasant memories of you. You are fondly remembered and cherished today and always. Rest on beloved daddy.
God we thank you for your faithfulness thus far and trust you to be our father, guide, shield and potection. Sai godiya ya Allah.

We should have been celebrating your 70th birthday today but alas we are writing a tribute on your memorial page.
You lived a good life, your humility is infectious, your service to God and humanity is unconditional.
Your work here is done and you are resting with the angels.
Happy posthumous birthday God's general.

Mshelbara Richard Francis.

Today would have been your 70th birthday, not a day goes by without me thinking of you. My heart breaks over and over again that you are no longer physically with us. I draw strength from knowing you are in a better place. You lived an exemplary life of f humility and service to God and humanity. You were a father and mentor indeed! Rest on my beloved father.

Dear Daddy,

Happy 70th Birthday!!!! I only wish I was saying it to you…alongside a party to celebrate you, even though I know the heavens have been in gbedu mode since you arrived….
Thank you for everything you were and still are to me…your uniqueness, your intelligence, your diligence, your fatherliness and even your weaknesses…
Life without you still makes no sense, Christmas is no longer “the best time of the year”…

The words “I love you” do not suffice…I miss you does not describe the depth of how I feel every single minute since May 23, 2020…

You were a wonderful husband, father, cover, model and provider…you played your role and hit countless home runs in every aspect of your life!!
In the super bowl of fatherhood, you are my MVP and Hall of famer…

In the boxing ring, you are my heavyweight champion, my Mohammed Ali

On the tennis court, Roger Federer’s got nothing on you, as you’ve won all 4 grand slam titles over and over again…

You showed the ropes to CR7, having the most Ballon D’ors in the history of soccer⚽️

Thank you Dad….I love you!!!❤️

Daddy, your legacy will live on. I find it a little bit awkward talking about you in past tense. I still listen to a lot of the conversation I had with you, especially during your last days on earth, the words are evergreen and loud. Reality always dawn on me , when I realize those things you were passionate about are left undone...even things that pertains God’s kingdom. Rest on sir!

Remembering you....
Daddy today is exactly a year since you left the earth, but your memory is still fresh in my heart. When I think about how much I miss you, I start to feel sorry for myself. I miss your guidance, your advice, and your support. May the good Lord continue to grant you eternal rest.

(Japheth Johap- Security)

In the evergreen and fresh memory of my beloved husband and friend Elder Stephen A Mshelia.......
Steve my love, it has been one year since you took your last breath and departed this sinful world but for me it is so fresh as if it were just yesterday. “The life of mortals is like grass; they flourish like a flower in the field and no more” Psalm 103:15.
My heart aches and bleeds every day. Since you left, it feels like you took all my strength, courage and you left it is a weak, powerless, and helpless creature. I feel empty and without strength to carry on. The world seems to be crumbling down on me with nowhere to run to. Every day I think of every moment we have spent together. I try not to, but I cannot, it is so lonely and scary with no one to share. In Christ alone my hope is found. My comfort comes from knowing that the Lord is faithful to His words. I have learnt to trust in God and lean of the everlasting arm of Jesus.
God is work in my life moment by moment assuring me of His presence. In times of fear, He assures me not to be afraid. He will hold me with His victorious righteous hand. He has promised never to leave nor forsake me. The Lord has taken over as a loving father of the fatherless and a husband of a widow which I am now one.
The legacies and virtues you taught us will continue to flourish in our hearts. The moments of life we have shared can never be forgotten.
(Gloria S Mshelia)

Dear Daddy, it's been the most difficult one year ever. I still wish this was a bad dream I can wake up from. In all God has been faithful in keeping us. I cherish the memories of you and the legacies you left behind. I think of you everyday. You truly are missed. Always in my heart.

It is a year now since you left us,
A year I wish can be reversed,
So that with hindsight,
We can say our goodbyes

Oh how I miss you
Those jokes at the dinner table
As we watch a game of tennis
As we talk on the phone after a game of football....

It's okay to miss you,
It's okay to cry.
Just know I'll never forget you..

Sometimes I sit and wonder
If you are standing by my side,
Giving me the courage
To carry on with pride.

I'll hold onto our memories,
Until this life is done.
In my heart is where I'll store them,
Continue to rest on sir.

Baba you came and you conquered, I will really mis those your smile's, I remember vividly when I called you on your sick bed and you told me I should not bother to come, that you will soon be leaving the hospital, little did I know that you are already announcing your departure to glory. Baba rest well till we meet to part no more.

Dear Daddy,

I was at the airport on Friday and the thought that we will not be able to talk before and after my flight crossed my mind and the tears came as I sat quietly waiting for the boarding call. Today, I looked around the house and the thought that you will never get to physically drop by when in town to see me made me so sad. I just wish I would wake up from this nightmare. I remember all the times you would visit Kano and I would hang out with you and mummy, it was such a blessing. I remember how you would call to ask if I was coming to Jos for the weekend as you knew someone that was heading that way as you would rather I come with them than use public transportation. You always looked out for us and protected us. Going to ECWA Unity church has been hard as there has never been a day the tears did not roll down during the church service, I see your sitting spot in the church and it hurts that you are not the one sitting there. Last Christmas, New Year, your birthday, our birthdays , Easter and your wedding anniversary were just not the same. Life will never be the same. God in His infinite wisdom took you to a better place.

My father, my hero....you are loved and sorely missed.

Last year I missed your wedding anniversary and we talked on the phone that day and I promised not to missed this years anniversary, you send some pictures you took in the church, alas the Lord called you back home. Even though you are not around we still remember today with nostalgia.

Dear Daddy,

Though you left us almost a year ago, every day still hurts as if there is a knife in my chest. People have said to me, "time heals all wounds", however, from losing you, what I think time does is it reduces the tears, as the pain for me is still very fresh but even the tears haven't stopped as they come and go like they did at Easter. I did not realize how much of an imprint you had made on me...I see and feel you in the littlest things - being in the house, turning on the security lights every night, tending to your beloved flowers, going on a work assignment and not being able to update you on how I'm faring, using your designated flask, seeing a game of tennis on tv; I see you in the big things too - watching mummy everyday, making decisions, celebrating the holidays especially Christmas which you loved so much, attending Sunday service and Bible study, being part of the Church Building Committee, the projects we handled together, remembering the values you instilled in me/us. I've had uncountable dreams of you doing different things but somewhere in those dreams I felt the hurt of knowing you won't be there when I wake up. I've not been the same since May 23rd, 2020, and I struggled so much at some point, I still do but I trust God's promise to be reunited with you someday and although I wish that day would be today, I've resolved to patiently wait so others too can be saved...I know it's what you would want as you lived beyond yourself....Thank you for being a stellar example of what a man should be, you set the bar real high.

Rest on daddy....I love you and miss you every single day. 

Of a tender heart and generous spirit, that touched others goes on forever.
Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure.
When I think of how I will miss you, your advice, support, guidance, friendship.......
I start to feel sorry for myself, then I think of about all those people who never got the priviledge to meet you.
I felt sorry for them.
A heart of gold stopped beating, two shining eyes at rest.
God broke our hearts to prove that he only take the best.