Monday 17 August 2020

TRIBUTE TO MY BELOVED AND TREASURED FATHER-IN-LAW, LATE MR. IGNATIUS UGWU

Chief Ugwokeh Nnaemeka
August 5, 2020 was a forlorn day for me because it was the day I lost a very compassionate and affectionate father-in-law, Mr. Ignatius Ugwu, to the cold hands of death.

Dad, your ardor was part of my inclusive connubial ecstasy. As a father-in-law and a father figure, your absence has left a deep wound in my heart. My heart bleeds because I have lost the only father I have ever known owing to the early demise of my own father. My heart bleeds because the dad that I have always looked up to has left me. My heart bleeds because my sons’ only grand pa is no more.

Dad, it is sad to feel that you are no more with us on earth, but your love and peaceful memories are still our guides. I must confess that I am honored to have had the privilege to call you “Dad.” I have got quite a lot of things to say about my father in-law? I saw how he was with his children, loving each one equally, there was no favoritism with them. He had a lot of respect for them and the same was for his grandchildren.

My father-in-law was a man I got to know when I was barely 6 years old and in all the years I had known him, I cannot recall a single moment where he raised his voice or complained about anything. As soon as I got married to his daughter, he took me in as his own biological son and made me feel part of his family. I can say, without any second thought that time spent with him was a treasured time in my life, my wife’s life, and my sons’ lives. We were so fortunate to have him with us.

People do not hear much about fathers-in law, but I must state it unequivocally that mine was one of the best! What made him so special in my eyes was that he was the father of six children and each one of them looked up to their father with respect, love, and admiration. That’s not to say that they didn’t look up to their mother in the same way, but, there was something different about how they all related to him.

Being the parents of six children is a tough job no matter how much you love them, but it is even tougher when they start to grow up and bring a whole bunch of other people into the family dynamic and this is where my father-in-law stood heads above many others. He was a thinker and a very quiet man who did not push himself on anyone, but he would quietly watch and mentally “figure” out whether that person was a good person or not. He did the most incredible thing by keeping his feelings to himself and would let that new person hang themselves or fit into the family.

Each time I remember you, Dad, I recall all you did for my family and me. Thanks for giving me the privilege to call you ‘Dad’ and for giving my sons, Nnia and Sonachi the privilege to call you ‘Granddad.’ We will miss you, but we will never forget you.

Relax in God’s bosom while we pray for the repose of your soul, till we meet to part no more. May the blessings be!!!

Ugwokeh Nnaemeka
Son-in-law

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