Dear daddy aka PA NGWANI
This is a letter I wrote last
year for Father’s Day but my laptop crashed before I could post it. I’m writing
to you on this day on behalf of our entire family and though you may not be
here to live this moment, one thing is certain; the world deserves to know how
much of a great husband, father and grandfather you were. Daddy it’s no secret
we had so many fun memories together; you used to take us to the bakery to
choose whatever we like and when we used to take just one yoghurt (Camlait
then) but you’ll add. You paid us surprise visits at school during long break
(recess) so you can share that time with us and our friends. You taught us to
be honest, confident in ourselves and to be satisfied with what we have. You
were our home Bible teacher and you actively took part in evening devotions.
You encouraged us to speak the dialect ‘Limbum’ and even when Vanessa and I
were constantly mixing the tenses and prepositions, you were always patient to
correct us and crack a joke so we don’t feel bad. You bought Eleanor and I
books with Wimbum folklores and riddles just so we improve on our knowledge of
our culture. You were keen to discover our talents and encouraged us even more.
Bawe drew “Mr Ratty the Advisor” and you asked him to post it the wall so we
can read all the time. You loved it when we made songs and sang in the evening
before you and mama. You would always come home early in the evening so you can
spend time with us and you never liked missing lunch as well.
Daddy, do you remember when we
were living in Nkambe just with you? You cooked, washed and cleaned when we
were in school and when we returned home from school, you had left a short note
on the floor indicating the date and the time you wrote the note. Haha. You were so organized
and caring, we knew where you kept most of your things. You were not only
kind-hearted, you were down to earth, loving, generous and you have a great
sense of humor. You used to send credit to our phones and when we call you to
thank you, you won’t pick just so you can be the one to call again. You took us
to public restaurants; one time in Buea you went as far washing three plates
for you, me and Eleanor since the lady instructed people to wash their plates
before they are served pepper-soup. You didn’t bother to tell me to go and wash
them for us, and it didn’t end there, you stood on the queue and brought the
pepper soup for us on our table. That’s my humble daddy and believe me we have
never forgotten any of this noble deeds. You were always looking out for us,
talking to us about life, relationships, boys and more; always ready to caution
when you see us hanging out with any strange fellow. You had a catapult
collection because you loved hunting birds. You never let our dog Shaggy go for
a day without food. Oh daddy, when we used to travel, you were always at the
Car park waiting us irrespective of the time and when we travelled to another
city, you’ll insist we call on arrival so you know we have arrived safely.
Funny enough, you called at short intervals just to know how far we’ve gone in
the journey (deep sigh). You were a gem of a man, a super man without a cape and
believe me when I say I could write a whole book of thousands of pages about
you. When our family was hard-pressed with challenges especially financial, you
encouraged us to be strong and stay together while trusting God. You were never ashamed of your weaknesses and
you were always ready to make us understand. You had the habit of checking on
us while we are asleep and even when your grandchildren visited you never
failed to wake Kerry- Alvin up several times at night just to make sure he
doesn’t pee on the bed. You were our mother’s romantic and loving husband, our
goofy and strict yet caring daddy. You were your grandchildren’s super
granddaddy, who was always going out of his way to make them happy. You’re one
person no one has stopped missing, we see you in everything we do and I pray by
the Grace of God we make you proud. We bless God Almighty for your and we're grateful He chose you to be our earthly father. We love you!!!
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