When I decided to write this article, I wanted to write about my dad and his achievement over the years and now that he has retired, thank God for him; but then I thought about all the other parents out there that have retired years ago before my dad, and those that are still in service or self-employed and retirement is not a word in their dictionaries. As a way of appreciation, I thought it would be good to bring all the stories together to show our gratitude to God and the life of our parents.
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| "Every home is a university and the parents are the teachers" - Mahatma Ghandi |
I contacted my friends and told them about my idea and their responses were overwhelming, they were all happy to include a story about their parents in the article, even though some wanted to remain anonymous, but I appreciated the fact that they all wanted to get involved. Bearing in mind, when I told my friends to send their stories I honestly still didn't have a clue what I was going to write about my dad, because words would not comprehend the Love and Appreciation I feel towards him, but giving my friends a deadline as to when I needed their part of the stories so I have enough time to compile the article, the pressure to come up with my part of the article was on. I am glad I was able to express in writing how I feel about my dad and hope that every single person that has contributed towards this article, either in sending their own stories, their advice and words of encouragement feels the same way and more, being able to make our parents know how much they really mean to us. And to every single parent that isn't alive to experience this moment (Olaitan's mum, Folashade's mum, Anonymous's dad and Tolulope's mum and dad) and other parents our there, Please say a prayer for them when you read this article. "May their Gentle Souls RIP Amen"
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| "To understand your parents' Love, you must raise children yourself" - Chinese Proverb |
"When you grow
up you tend to understand life differently, and like me you miss the days when
you was a baby and free. Over the years I used to think my dad didn’t like me because
I didn’t do things the right way all the time, I have made mistake in the past and
it has been a great lesson and guiding point for me, I never used to get along
with my dad until recently “well we still fight sometimes”
Lol.
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| The only photo I have with my Dad |
Dad, I just want you
to know that even though I may not make you proud as I ought to or as you
expect of me, I will and it will be sooner than you can imagine. When I was
eight years old, I was paralysed due to injection and I couldn’t walk or go to
school for couple of months, I had to wear a specially designed plastic leg with
boots. I remember vividly how my parents would miss work a lot because I had
the doctor’s and physiotherapy appointment, and the days when we had to visit Oshodi at least 3
times a week because there was a woman there that helped heal cases like mine the traditional way. *Note
I always cried anytime we got to the front of C.B.N Hospital or approaching the
woman’s entrance in Oshodi*. I was too young to understand some things, but I
could see in my dad’s face that he felt he had disappointed me as a parent by
letting this happen to me, even though it was not his fault. He would always
tell me to stand firm with the leg and try to walk or move it. My parents were
relentless and because of them today I can walk perfectly without any help or
support and I will forever appreciate them for this.
Dear Dad and Mum,
without the Inspiration, Drive and Support you gave and still give to me I
won't be the person I am today. Thank you for not pulling out. (Not sure you will
understand the joke but if you do *coversface*) I love you" – Susan
Tinuke Ademusire
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| Mr Ebenezer Ademusire |
"I thank God
that has spared your life despite the ups and down up till this moment and he
will continue to spare you. I pray to God almighty to grant you the grace to
enjoy your retirement to the fullest, you will live long to enjoy the fruit of
your labour. you are a husband and a father that denied himself of many things just
for his wife and children to enjoy and for this reason the lord will never let
smiles depart from you." – Margaret Ademusire
"Congratulations
daddy, I want to wish you the best and pray you enjoy your retirement to the
fullest. Retirement is not the end, it's a new beginning. There may be many
great fathers, but you are an amazing one. Soul so pure, your heart is
priceless, and your wisdom is outstanding. I thank God for keeping you and
making you enjoy the fruit of your labour, you have always been the boss and
may your retirement be the best days of your life. Your new job now is to make
sure that you rest, enjoy yourself and be fresh and sound for us your family
because you mean so much to us. Congratulations Dad on starting the next phase
of your life!" – Tosin Ademusire
"A father is a
person who loves and respects you. He is honest and never neglects you. You
have been the best father and if I come in another world I still want a father
in you. I do not always get all I want but you made sure you did whatever possible
to give me my needs. I pray as you retire you will live long to enjoy the fruit
of your labour. Thank you so much DAD and Mum" – Segun
Ademusire
"I went to the
office with my dad the other day and on the way I was happy he was retiring. I
was emotional for a moment, forgetting all the benefits you would lose as a
staff. You seemed tired. The way you were walking, like a really old man and
realized that you did all this for us, all the hard work for 35 years and you
definitely need all the rest you can get after your retirement, not you
thinking about farming and all. All his colleagues kept saying 'He has tried',
and all I could say was 'Thank you Jesus for him' " – Gbemi
Ademusire
Below is stories and
appreciation from my beloved friends………..
"How does one
begin to appreciate someone who has basically been your very foundation till
your present roofing? How do I begin to describe a person who has given up all
he could have enjoyed in his life from his hard work to make me a better and
independent minded person, someone who encourages me to be the best I can be no
matter how difficult I see the situation before me. No matter how shallow
minded and intimidated I feel, he will say “My little girl, you can do all
things through Christ who gives you strength”.
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| Mr Omoh Gabriel |
God has indeed given you a spiritual position over
your family, which you do not take for granted especially as it regards to your
children. Thank you for constantly teaching us wrong form right, for always
inscribing in our hearts the values of God and need to remain meek. Thank you
for struggling shamelessly to see us through primary school even when things
were not at their best. Thank you for being jealous enough to provide for us
what we need before another man would. Thank you for teaching us the difference
between what we need and just what we want. Thank you for the little things we
sometimes overlook.
More importantly, thank you for loving our mother
unconditionally. You teach us that loving someone cannot be based on any
conditions or situations, we look at your actions and see that it is indeed a
choice taking by a God fearing man to stay faithful to his wife and take care
of her, we see that being a wife is not just becoming a property but becoming a
valuable asset and spiritual strength. We see through you that Love is God.
Dear Dad, thank you for so many things but most
especially for always being there for us! One day we will teach our children to
be strong, confident and Godly just like you did with us. God bless and
preserve you. We love you always." – Ruth,
Tina and Peace Gabriel
"If there's
anything I have to say about my parents is that their love is unconditional...
I remember this one time that I was arrested by the police at a basketball
court cos the police got hint that some fellas were selling weed there. I got
bailed out from cell by my dad and up till this day he never asked me why I was
arrested, the impression my folks gave me was this " I don't care what the
police said u did, to us you are innocent"... I love you Dad and Mum, to
the moon and back" – Rimi
Ademu
"Growing up, I
had a difficult relationship with my dad because he was a very strict person,
he did not spare the rod, I got my ass whooped every time I messed up. There
were times I prayed to God to take him away but looking back now I'm glad God
didn't listen.
I remember when I was
in elementary school we had a provision store in the house, we also had a bar
connected to the store, my dad was running these two businesses because he had
no stable job then and that was what we survived on. My father strived to
provide us with good food, education, clothing and other basic necessities. He
later joined the Nigeria Civil Defence which as at that time was a voluntary
organization. Few years later, the Nigeria Civil Defence corps was recognized
and approved by the Obasanjo regime and they started getting paid, things got
better for my family.
Today my daddy is the
Assistant commandant of the Nigerian Civil Defence corps in Ogun State. I
appreciate the struggle of this great man who is of impeccable character,
hardworking, kind and honest.
Kudos to the
most influential man in my life." – Olaitan Odewusi
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| Ms. Bamidele Adegboyega |
"You are the best
thing that happened to us. Your strength to carry on even in the face of
difficulties, when it was really crazy and when most mothers would have walked
away. I remember when I gained admission into the university and there was no
money to pay for the tuition and all, you were very sad because of your
helplessness but you were determined, so in rush, you tied your wrapper around
your chest with only a blouse and went about borrowing from people. I needed
just #25,000 (Naira) only but it was a huge amount because dad had left us for
another woman and it was just you with four kids to cater to.
Life was
difficult. Eventually you got the money because that was the last day of
payment. I couldn't say word because I was overwhelmed by your Determination,
Strength, Will, Love and Passion. I can go on and on but I will let you know
this, nobody can replace you. You have sacrificed your life and happiness for
us and to me that's a huge sacrifice. But then, you are a special breed. I like
to call you the "SENIOR ABIYAMO OF NIGERIA" (SAN). We love you with
every waking breath. Your biological children, natural children and
grandchildren all love you. As for me, you are able legend, the matriarch of
our home. My Mom, My HERO." – Funke Adegboyega Aderogba
"Mummy, I want a
laptop for my project; Can't you use a cafe, all my friends are using their
personal laptops, Y should I visit a cafe. It was 24th December, 2008, I
received a call from my mum to come to her office right there @ maza-maza, to
come help carry something home, I was reluctant because I thought it was the
mandatory two "Agric fowls" for Christmas. Lo as I walked in a man
said is dis the lawyer? My mum said yes and the man went: "Young man when
you become a lawyer make sure You do not forget your parents, Your mum has just
used her Xmas bonus to purchase me a laptop" water in d guise of tears had
already started gathering clouds around my eyes.
My father a strict
disciplinarian, did not believe that we needed the flashy things, I always knew
he could afford, I wondered WHY he was ready to spend 100k on books yet
700naira shirt for me to pose and scope Tinu (lol) he won't. "I remember
his words every day to me" Henry, this life is a moving train, finish all
you have to do now, You will always meet the train" Never understood until
I began to fend for myself and release little change in the house.
Now they are both
younger and have replaced blouse and office wears with rocking the sofas and
staying glued to the TV without having to worry about Henry, cos they now know
that they both sowed while they work and it's harvest time and now that the
baton has changed hands, I plan finishing the race strong. So help me God." –
Henry Mejulu
"In my opinion
my parents mean the world to me my family is my happiness. I really appreciate
my parents because as a child every parent gives you an upbringing whether it's
bad or good they work so hard in order to provide their children with basic
needs. Although they may be going through a busy schedule or certain issues
within their professional or personal life they still ensure they take every
care of their children and therefore it is really important to return every
kindness, appreciation and respect to parents they really deserve it. They are
the only guardians who are always there for their children to support, help and
guide them to the right path. I hope everyone out there always ensures they
make their parents smile and go out of their way for them because it is really
worth it and also parents are blessings. I strongly feel I am very lucky to
have a positive relationship with my parents and I would love to always see
them smile. I really hope everyone can be grateful towards their parents
because God always returns a successful and a better gift when you help your
parents. I always love to see my parents Happy and smiling as nothing is more
precious than that. I hope this inspires many individuals." – Jasmine Hussain
"2nd October
2015 would have marked another year of celebrating you in person but all I have
are the memories you left behind.
I still remember how you would pick me up from school with lots of 'goodies'
and drive me to your bookstore to pick any book of my choice to read, all the
times you shielded me from mom's inevitable beating whenever i did something
wrong (lol), how happy I was when you bought my first bicycle, how you trained
me to be a man even at a tender age.
It hurts so bad that I couldn't do enough for you, you left too soon. However,
you will forever be celebrated in my heart, love you dad and rest on till we
meet again." – Anonymous
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| Alhaji Rasaki Olayinka Mosudi |
"The most
amazing being I have ever seen is my dad he recently turned 60. My dad is very
hard working, well to do etc. He retired on d 24th of this month as a Head of
Local Government &Administration. A man of dignity well respected and I am sure
many people will miss him at work. He keeps himself busy with work always like
its food, a genius that has solutions to every problem, one of a kind, very
intelligent. My dad played a very wonderful fatherly role in the life of his
kids, he doesn't joke with us and he made sure we are all educated, he fixed us
with a promising job.my dad is everything, and since the day my mum passed he's
been playing both roles perfectly. My father, my Joy. He encouraged and lured
me into doing my masters lol, dunno what my life would have been without him, he
motivates me, encourages me, we joke, we laugh...after God he's the one I fear
most because he's strict ,he trained us well and I am sure he's proud of us. My
dad is a great role model, he has won award...he's a fulfilled man and I respect
him most of all he's a father, a wonderful father.....he is my first love."
– Folashade Moshood Bello
"You don't know
what u have until you have lost it. I wish my parents were alive, I will
correct all the mistakes of taking their instructions for granted, not showing
enough love and care, although I tried my best to be a good child. I love them
so much and miss everything we both shared *tears*. Well to cut it short always
appreciate all you have got, do not wait till u have an empty chair. Love u
Moma n Papa till we meet again." – Tolulope
Oyewole
"My mum will forever be the best gift I
ever had. I can’t compare the unconditional love she has for her family. She is
just a man in a woman skin. Ever since I have been little, I saw her hustle
hard (work) as a woman that wants the best for the kids. She is my role model
any day and any time." –
Temitope Otemuyiwa
