My Father

Today marks the 29th year of my father's birthday in heaven.  It was a very sad, sad day.  I was 21 going on 22, just finished with my junior year of College in India.  I came home on April 20th for the summer becasue my father was diagnosed with lung cancer.  We spent days at the hospital playing chinese checkers or similar games, talking, catching up news and making plans for the future.  I vividly remember him giving me instructions about the future which he always started with, "Mami (my nick name), when I am completely healed...."  To him a good and faithful Christian death was nothing but a complete healing from physical sickness.  He was 51 then.  I guess being 51 years old myself now makes this year's June 12th a bit more significant.  He asked me if he could move his fatherly responsibilities from his shoulders to mine.  I said yes.  I was very proud in the midst of sadness that he would ask of me such an honor. I did carry out my promise to him in the following years.


I remember how that day started and went, and the following days after that- all the way to today.  In the early hours of this morning I was on skype with one of my sisters, Nutei (who like me is a lot like my father), until past 2 a.m. We talked about our father among many other things.  It was rather difficult to fall asleep after that.  At breakfast Will said, "Let's dress up and eat a good lunch to celebrate your father's influence all the way to Joshua's life".  So, the three of us went to lunch at Bravo. Father was one of those people who loved to dress well and look good. He also was a gourmet cook who loved good food. We made a toast of thanks for this man I call my father with tea as it was one of his favorite things to drink.  Joshua asked some more questioins about his grandfather whom he never got to meet.  I enjoyed telling the two men about my father. Father would have loved them both very much.  We had a great time celebrating his life even now.


29 years ago today, the clock stopped for my mother and all of us, her children, because father went home to God.  Crying and shock and sadness and fear and insecurity filled each and all of our hearts and we lost our minds.  I remember being overwhelmed by the fact that we were surrounded by our good friends Christians and Buddhists and Muslims to comfort us. The traffic stopped for the procession of 50+ vehicles to the cemetary.  As instructed by my father I could not affort to loose my  mind for long that day. I had to begin my role as his stand in and direct the event.  It was really difficult but I did it.  God was with me every moment.


29 years later, today is a good day because we stopped everything and gave thanks to God for my father. I also thank God for these two men, husband Will and nephew Joshua who were not there with me 29 years ago but are happy to celebrate my father's life with me.  As he was our first and formost relligious teacher the last scripture my father taught us was Psalm 24 which I like to share with the world.  May God be praised!

Psalm 24

Entrance into the Temple

Of David. A Psalm.
¹ The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it,
   the world, and those who live in it;
² for he has founded it on the seas,
   and established it on the rivers. 

³ Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
   And who shall stand in his holy place?
⁴ Those who have clean hands and pure hearts,
   who do not lift up their souls to what is false,
   and do not swear deceitfully.
⁵ They will receive blessing from the Lord,
   and vindication from the God of their salvation.
⁶ Such is the company of those who seek him,
   who seek the face of the God of Jacob.
          Selah 

⁷ Lift up your heads, O gates!
   and be lifted up, O ancient doors!
   that the King of glory may come in.
⁸ Who is the King of glory?
   The Lord, strong and mighty,
   the Lord, mighty in battle.
⁹ Lift up your heads, O gates!
   and be lifted up, O ancient doors!
   that the King of glory may come in.
¹⁰ Who is this King of glory?
   The Lord of hosts,
   he is the King of glory.
          Selah