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| Chief Ugwokeh Nnaemeka |
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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