My Beloved father, i have no idea what you are doing or where you are reborn.
Nine solid years have passed by since you left this world but I still often find myself missing you badly here on Earth. 13th December 2012 was the saddest day of my life. I had never thought that you would leave me so soon. You know we had a lot of dreams at hand yet to be materialized. The kind of world we had imagined to live in after I get a job was not too far from us, but what an untimely tragedy befell us. After having gone through several hardships together in life, it’s very sad that I had to let you go even before I was able to pay you back for everything you did for me as a father.
I woke up at 2am this morning to join you in spirit on this auspicious day of your 9th death anniversary. I took leave from all activities to dedicate this day fully to you and be with you. I went to my knees and offer you prayer and eternal peace I am sure you might have heard my prayers and wishes. I am sorry that’s the only thing your poor son can do now.
As I observe this day in silence, the pain on that fateful day seems to have come back to surface once again. I am very sorry, Daddy, that I could not be there beside you when you were fighting for life in the Church. I am sorry that I could not answer you when you called out my name several times before you finally rest. It’s my greatest regret that I could not even serve you a cup of hot water when you were in the hospital. Now that your soul has become one with God, everything must be clear to you.
Kindly accept my sincere apologies and prayers for any failure on my part to fulfill the duties of a son!
Today, I feel lonely and sad without you in my family. I wish if you were still alive to play with your grandchildren, tell them bed-time stories as you used to tell me when I was a boy, and teach them good values as you did to me before. If you were still with us, I am sure you would be proud of your grandchildren, Prosper Ogidi, Patricia Ogidi, Ayibatari Ogidi, Ayibapreye Ogidi and Purity. But it’s sad that none of them could ever get a chance to hold your hands, sit on your lap and listen to your stories or play with you like their other friends who still have their grandfather. A single photograph of yours is the only thing we can show our kids to introduce you to them. I am sure they would have been very happy to be with you.
Dad, I know that you waited patiently for years for me to get a decent job so that we could live together, but why God was so unfair to call you away just when our dream was just at our doorstep. If you could have waited for just one more year, our life-long dream would have been accomplished.
We suffered equal hardships while living in the village and we often cried together sharing our experiences at the end of the day. I know I was your only consolation during those days and the kind of life we had imagined for ourselves after I was elected as a councilor it was a long-awaited dream but it’s sad that it could never come true while u were alive.
Despite all the difficult times we passed through, you had been my great teacher, protector and a loving father. I have learnt a great deal from you and I am always grateful for your sacrifices and compromises for me.
You helped me shape my world and gave me strengths to stand on my own feet. You guided me whenever I tumbled upon some problems and you showed me the right path of life. You had been my main source of inspiration, courage and social security. You taught me how to compete with others and you taught me why and how to excel in studies. I kept your words and I did fairly well in my studies right from my primary school up to the university level. You also taught me why not to easily trust people, and how to value friendships.
You have also taught me how to interpret dreams and many other things which I might have not been able to explore myself. So although you are dead and gone, Daddy, the values and knowledge you have given me still flow in my blood and I will try to pass them on to your grandchildren too. We, as a family, are doing everything that could make you proud. Your rich legacies shall never die. I miss you so much, Dad, and I love you. May God reunite us once again someday on a new journey!
Continue to Rest in Perfect Peace.
From ur beloved son. Hon. Ogidi Ben Bara OBB
