Since my blogging experience began, I have been looking forward to today, the 4th of September. For the past two years, today is a day I have reserved in my heart and head to remember my dad (daddy) who passed on this day, three years ago. Not to say I don’t remember him almost every other day, because I do. But today and the 10th of April (his birthday) are those special days reserved to reflex on my years with him; laugh at the funny memories and cry a little (or much).
I remember the first time I read a post from my blog to my mother, she said to me ‘you know, you should really write about your dad’ and I said ‘of course’. In my head, I had previously decided to wait until today where my thoughts on my dad comes flooding right to the brim of my head and wanting to write about him, almost inevitably. However, the weirdest thing happened today… I forgot!!!!!
I woke up this morning and I forgot what today should mean to me. I didn’t remember until I got a text from my brother. ‘What!!!!! How on earth is this possible????’ I thought. For an hour or so after I got the text, I was so mad at myself (maybe still mad at myself). I couldn’t (can’t) imagine how on earth I could have forgotten. Let me explain, I am one of those girls, who her daddy meant the world to her and was a huge part of her life (literally); as a child, travelling a lot with him (My sisters and I), plaiting his hair and him having to cover it up when visitors came by **hahaha** (Almost forgot that one). He was involved in practically every life decision I made. He pushed, encouraged and often intimated into accepting his opinion (‘advice’, he would call it, but trust me, it was definitely more imposing than an advice **laughs**). When he passed, I thought ‘I would give anything to have that imposing “advice” again’. To hear him laugh, talk and even shout. I thought my world was crumbling down before me and I could do nothing to stop it. I thought,’God!! There is no way I am getting over this’, but today I forgot!! How does one go from believing life is over to forgetting the day that should be so important? And all I could think about was one word, Life!!!!!
As much as I love my dad, as much as he meant the world to me, Life continues. I don’t know if saying this is appropriate (but when has saying anything true been appropriate) or just makes me a cold-hearted person (maybe it does) but I also know it’s honest. I remember my dad in little ways every now and then and when someone important comes into my life, I want them to know how important he was to me. But truth be said, Life has moved on and sometimes the reality of life means we have two options; jump off the nearest cliff (Please don’t go jumping) or move on. As sad as it may be, it seems like I have moved on too.
Although for many years, my dad was a huge part of my life; although writing this makes me remember those frustrating days just before and after he passed on, and makes my heart break all over again, so much so, I can feel it and it makes my eyes well up. I have come to realise that life means sometimes you forget and also means, you always move on.
So I guess what I’m trying to say is this:
Love hard while you can
Let the people in your life know how much they mean to you
Treasure the memories of loss ones every time you remember because truth be said, sometimes you will forget.
But in it all, when you forget, it doesn’t mean you’ve stopped to love or the person meant less
Because I am absolutely certain my dad didn’t; never, not to me.
Related articles
- Life Goes On (malmariemi.wordpress.com)
- Remembering my dad (blackhillsreiki.wordpress.com)
Journal of a Complex Mind 
First of all, May your dad’s soul rest eternally in our Lord’s peace…
Losing someone so close is always difficult. And the thought of having one more chance to be with them never quite goes away. But the memories of the good times we had with them keep us strong.
Your dad would certainly want you to remember only the good times, and not to mourn him perpetually. In my opinion, if remembering a particular date only causes you renewed grief, then it is better to forget. Every good father wants his kids to be happy all the time, even long after he’s gone. The best way to honour your father is to remember him always with a smile on your face.
Hey Lunartsd, Thanks for your comment. But trust me, loss creates conflicted emotions.
As much as you want to move on and be happy, there is that part of you that occasionally wants to be able to grief for that loss love. It doesn’t make a lot of sense but it is what it is.
Actually, it makes a lot of sense. Sadness is a fundamental human emotion, and a very powerful one at that. And it is closely related to love, for we cannot truly love and not experience great sadness when the ones we love are lost.
May God’s love and peace wash away your tears and comfort you, my dear friend.
This is so nice, didn’t think you were still posting on your blog. Just saw a new post today and thought to read everything I have missed. Such a great and imposing personality “Sam” (that’s what we called him) had. I’m glad you’ve moved on, wish everyone dealing with loss would read this and understand.
At least I know how close you and your dad were… Being cold hearted doesn’t even come into play here. I’d call it being human and doing the right thing. Continue to rest in heaven uncle Sam, you’d always be missed.