Having lost my father, I became a changed man—exactly what happened to me when I had my daughter, but in the opposite direction.
The two strongest forces of life. The indispensable mysterious opposite forces on earth that bring joy and pain Yet it’s the circle ⭕️ of life, birth, and death. My daughter’s birth brought so much happiness—a different kind that I never knew existed. Becoming a father for the first time in life was an experience that swept me off my feet even as it exposed me to many responsibilities that could not be neglected.
Traveling home to meet this adorable gift from God for the first time got me fantasizing, and holding her in my arms and playing with her always had me in awe. ***Omalicha daddy Ya *** Momila, maama, chimama pet names I call her as she smiles in response each time she hears one. Eating together and doing all sorts of things makes me happy and fulfilled; those are the memories that are worth more than gold.
However, once I came back to Nigeria, my parents, knowing that I was back, would immediately call to know when I was coming down to visit them in the village. Knowing the friendly and awesome relationship I have with them, especially my father, I always felt joy visiting them, as many would always lodge in hotels. When back from abroad, I did the opposite: I slept and woke with them, ate and worked with them in the same house, talked, played, and did so many home chores as much as I could.
My parents have a way of teasing us with pet names. Booyiant, a British man, and Eze ndi igbo na Denmark were pet names my father calls me, and I reciprocate with smiles just as my daughter does when I call her. Knowing fully well that I don’t get such opportunities, often I try using them judiciously, and it makes them so happy. Most times I see the look on their faces when neighbors ask or visit and ask them. *** Dee m Ogu/Justina * Did you children come back?
Sometimes friends that don’t know our family when they see us together would ask
Are these your children?? The look on their faces and response would have had me smiling. *** Yes, they are my children; this is the one that resides in Spain, and this is the one that resides in South Africa.
Happiness written all over their faces for our visits makes us want to visit them more. Having shared great memories from tender age to hitherto, I would not dare exchange it for anything.
As we grow older, one tends to understand what is really important and what is less important. The unexpected death of my father brought pains that I never knew existed, and as I am yet to believe that fact, I would never see or share the beautiful moments with him again. The painful experience had me rediscover and redefine my priorities.
In our quest for a better life, we should endeavor to create a balance and not forget to spend time with our loved ones, especially our wives, husbands, children, parents, and siblings. Give them what to hold on to and remember when death knocks. In as much as I could remember my conversations with my late father, his gifts, and the memories of time spent together, it was my personal experience of life with him, which I would cherish as long as I lived.
Life is what happens while you are busy doing other things, but the question is:. ***What are you actually doing?***
Life is memories.
*Make sure yours is worth remembering.*
the untold Realities 