Today is Father's Day and I want to say Happy Father's Day to all the daddies and the future fathers. May you continue to be a blessing and a source of joy unto your family and loved ones.

Dad & I. many years back..

It's amazing when you compare this day to mother's day. I was at church today and we (choristers) were to sing something special for the fathers. If it wasn't for improvision, we'll probably be there with nothing... think about it, you can name about 5 songs for mothers on the spot; while it takes time to even think of one for the fathers. Singers, Song writers,... try to come up with something for the fathers. Some of them are still whom they need to be - responsible, caring, reliable and there for their own.

At times we fail to appreciate something good when it's right in front of us. My father and I were the best of buddies while i was little, we still are. Things are sorta different it's kind of hard for dad to see his little girl being an adult. I have been contemplating on writing this post and I concluded that I will because of my encounter with my friend.

She came to my office and saw my cell phone. She was curious about the price and I told her my dad got it for me. She goes "you're blessed."

I was astonished and I asked her why she said so, she replied

" I asked you how you got your current car about a year ago, you said your dad bought it for you. When I asked you about your laptop, you said the same thing. Now your phone....I wish my dad was here to buy me all I need. Too bad he's in ghana."

I had nothing to defend but to thank her and wish her family the best. It dawned on me that I was indeed blessed to have all the things I had without paying a dime from my pocket.

I remember how mum used to tease me back in Nigeria. Even though I wasn't the first or last child, I was daddy's pet. She said I use to follow you to work everyday (Nigeria is quite different from America). Mum would pack my diapers, flask, wipes, cerelac and feeding bottle in a bag....your younger colleagues were almost always fighting to look after me. One day, mum asked me if I was going to follow you to work and I said "No."

She said it was because you and I had an accident on your way to work. We fell off the okada..thank God we were not injured. She said I was like "heavens no" when it was time to go work the next day... I laugh every time she tells the story because I was young (about  2 or 3 perhaps 4) and I don't recall the occurence at all.

Mum will never stop talking about the last time I visited our village. She said I was 2 at the time and she intended to spend a week with grandma. She left for the village on friday and had to return to Lagos the next day because I wouldn't stop crying. She said I cried and chanted "daddy!" "I want my daddy" the whole night. No one slept through out the night; she was forced to return to the city because I wouldn't stop crying.

I want to thank you for the days you saved me from getting spanked by mum. I want to thank you for spoiling me with goodies. I want to thank you for buying me my first track gear (adidas jumper, shorts, spikes..). I want to thank you for lovely childhood memories.. Thank you for being there!

Although we're not as close as we used to be, I'm thankful to God for you Dad and I pray we be the best of friends as we grow older.