“Love leaves a memory no one can steal, Death leaves a heartache no one can heal”
I really do not know where to begin writing a tribute, all I keep thinking is how I wish I had that "one more" opportunity to see you daddy, to hear your voice and to hug you……just one more time and tell you how much I love you.
Dad, I will rather write you a letter than a tribute. I do not know if I will ever be able to accept that you are no more. I see you in every part of my life, I see you in my room, in my kitchen, in the guest room where you always stay when you are with me, I see you in every part of my home, I see you in my kids. It is surreal that you are no longer on this earth, I keep asking God to wake me up from this bad dream and assure me that my dad is NOT gone. It was a rude shock to hear of your passing on February 16, 2021, the worst day of my life. No words can express how painful it is to lose you dad, I was unprepared but the truth is, I can never be prepared to lose you. There is still so much stuff we have not done together, I had plans for us, for your next visit with my family………..
My loss is unquantifiable, unbearable, unreal, devastating but I put all my trust in God to fill the vacuum in my heart. I know that you are always with me, and forever in my heart. You are more than a father to me, you are my HERO, my best friend, my confidant, my advocate, my teacher, my world.
My Dad, an intelligent and intellectual man, you always emphasized the importance of education and hard work in order to become a great person. You told us (your kids) that our education is our inheritance and you surely invested all you had in our education without reservations. You even volunteered to sponsor us for Master degree and PhD after we were married. You imparted in me knowledge and wisdom, taught me how to be a good leader, how to listen and be diplomatic in my leadership role as your first child. You inscribed into my heart that that no property or money can supersede education, also that knowledge cannot be taken from anyone but properties can.…..there is absolutely no dad like you on this earth.
You taught me so much but you did NOT teach me how to live without you, and I know you are aware that I am not coping well with losing you. You deserve to live longer in good health to enjoy the fruits of your hard labor, at the same time I am forever grateful to God for sparing your life for 74 years for me to enjoy you and you to enjoy your kids and grandkids. You are absolutely incomparable, you are unique, a role model, a pillar, and an Icon to the world. I am very fortunate to have come through you Z.O, I am blessed that my kids enjoyed with you the same love you brought me up with. YOU IMPARTED MY LIFE WITH YOUR WISE WORDS AND YOUR UNFLINCHING LOVE.
My dad, a philanthropist, you lived for others, always helping people. Uniquely accommodating of others, everyone is your children, sisters, brothers, uncles, aunties, fathers, mothers, you deprived yourself to satisfy others……just like your oriki “atore bi eni go”……you are a selfless father to ALL.
I know the pain of losing my Dad will perhaps never leave me, I imagine it will ease with time as I process and get through it, but I don’t think I will get over it. But I will do my best to remain grateful and comforted knowing how much my beloved dad positively affected the lives of others and the fact that you are now one of Gods angels . My Dad left an impact on every person he met, even strangers who later became family. The true measure of a man is how much love he gives; how selflessly he shares and help others; how consistently he lifts up those around him with a kind word and a helping hand. The legacy you left us is what made us what we are today and I promise you that your legacy will forever live on in US, your children. My dad, a patriarch, a wise leader, my hero and Icon to the world, I bid you good night. You will forever be alive inside of me.
Your first daughter,
Funmi