16 Years and counting…
Just like that, I’ve spent half of my life without you.
Some people nurse this vacuous believe that I turned out this way because I lacked a father figure in my life.
They believe your wife couldn’t do the job; more so, an Akwa Ibom woman, left to train Yorùbá children. What would one expect?
They forgot that there’s one who is the father of the fatherless, and husband of the widow, and He performs wondrous and unbelievable things.
Since you left, He raised a father that is more than a father.
He’s been our grandfather, father, uncle, mentor, priest, guide, big brother, president, and Central Bank. Daddy your Brother in-law has been more than awesome. You never would have asked for another!
Things are slowly beginning to take shape, it’s been one heck of a journey, and by God’s grace, we will get there.
Your wife is pretty much doing well, although, old age keeps knocking at the door. Remember tomorrow’s her birthday? A pleasant surprise birthday present wouldn’t be a bad idea.
On the eve of your journey of no return, you told your wife that the pictures you took for the 2005 nationwide protest had received national recognition, and comrade Adams Oshiomole, the then NLC president had personally invited you to be his photographer for the upcoming protest in Maiduguri.
You told her when you’re back, the pay would be enough to get a land, and sooner or later we would move out of the ghetto.
You kept your word, even though you never witnessed it; because that gig got us a house and we moved out of the ghetto. (Unfortunately, Nigeria as a whole has turned out to be one hell of a ghetto now! Buhari is our president! Ọmọ x100000000!!!).
It’s 16 years since you went on that journey, and we most assuredly miss you every passing day.
I’m sure you’re at peace, and creating Magic up there.
Please create amazing portraits of Bros J and King Solomon. You already know Solomon is my favorite! lol
Keep resting Dad, and I promise to never lose my Magic.
I’ll always be weird.
P.S: Hopefully my next letter to you, your boy would have settled down, and gotten married. But till then, it is what it is!😂
Your Son,
Angel MESSI…
