Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult things we can go through, it leave us shocked with grief so much more if it is a father. They say a father is such a special person and when he dies, it feels like you lose your identity. We sometimes cannot understand how one minute this person was here and the next they are gone. The truth is that those we love are never truly gone. The body may have run its course, but the soul lives forever. On May 8, 2012 is our papa’s 8th Death Anniversary…its been that long but it seems that it was just yesterday when it happened. I made this article to let him and everyone know how we love and appreciate our papa…
Papa was one of those hard working father that always got his way. His words were the law in our house. We used to fear him but this is his way of teaching us the most valuable lessons in life, he thought us standing up for what we believe in. As we grew older, we understood why he treated us like that. And we discovered that he was a very compassionate and kind person. We learned that the most important thing that he had was us, his family. Though he may never have said it out loud we know that he was really proud of what we have become. We are who we are now because we had a father like him.
I remember he often brought something for us when he came home from work. He was strict as a father but that’s only because he cared for us. To his friends he was a very kind person and was always ready to help. He sometimes asked for help though but he was a very generous man, When he helped he simply helped… and he never wanted to be acknowledged for anything he did.
I realize how fortunate we were to have him as our papa. There are no words to express his influence in our lives. It is through his example that we learned to be the person we are today.
Papa was strong, loving, and gentle. He loved his family and was deeply devoted to mama.
Papa was not perfect, but who in this world is? He was, however, I am happy to say, perfectly himself... a husband... a father...a brother… a man of integrity... and for that we are forever grateful.
Papa’s last days were not easy. He found it hard to concede to the body's imperfection and the growing need to depend on others for support. Always used to being in control, but that time Big C was controlling him.
Papa showed strength and love right up until his last days with us. I want to remember everything that he shared with us. And we are happy that he is gone home to our creator.
Papa, it has been 8 years since you left us so suddenly. Although you're no more with us here but your presence nearby is always felt especially through our dreams where we always see your happy and smiling face. Papa, we would like to thank you so much for bringing us all up nicely if not for you and mama we wouldn't be here today.
To end this…I want to share a poem of Shariefa Hendricks. A simple tribute to the MAN we called PAPA…
The day you answered God's call
Left an empty space
Our world came crashing down
We couldn’t breathe…couldn’t talk…
We felt so numb, we couldn’t walk.
It was so hard to believe
That you were gone.
Once so strong;
Where do we belong?
Why did you have to leave?
Why did you have to go?
Thinking of you brings tears to our eyes
We never thought we would see your demise
Who will teach us right from wrong?
Now that you are gone?
It was so hard for you to go
Without you holding our hand
or to catch us if we fall
But don’t worry Papa
We remember everything you taught us
Now its time for us to let you go
The hardest thing we’ve ever had to do
But before we do,
we want you to know, we’re so sorry for all we put you through
We Love you Papa
More than words can describe
We wish you were here, We wish you were alive!
We said this before and we’ll say it again…
PAPA… we love you so much and we will always miss you
so long as we see each other again.
