by Maya Basudde
It shook me the same way epilepsy shook you when I realized I no longer had you
That Father’s Day would now be spent at your grave eating your favourite food
That on my wedding day I would be forced to imagine you holding my hand as I walk towards the stand
That your seat in my graduation ceremonies would be in the heavens
That I’d never get to see you again
That I’d envy my friends who’d go on father daughter dates
That sappy father daughter movies were something I’d grow to hate
Dear Father
Thank you
For showing me what real love is supposed to be through the way you loved my mother my sisters and me
Dear Dad not a day goes by that I don’t think about the times we had and so it makes me sad but I’m glad
That you aren’t suffering anymore
Not leaving pools of blood on the floor
Your kids aren’t forced to sleep next door
While momma cries to the Lord
Dear Father
You inspire me I just wanna be like you
Wanna breathe, wanna preach, wanna sing like you
Wanna inspire all my friends, go to church like you
Wanna say what you said wanna do what you do
Dear Father
I just wanna make you proud I was a little girl back then but look at me now
Dear father
I used to pray to God to take me too
But now I know that there’s a special reason it wasn’t me but it was you
Dear father
I see you in the wind as it blows through the trees and I feel your strength when I face my enemies
You never left me you are always with me just not physically
Dad, I wanna carry out your legacy in the life that I’m living the same way SIMBA carried out mufasas in the lion king
Conquering over this kingdom fighting the battles that are to come with your strength on my back giving me the ability to press on
Dear father,
There will always be nights when my eyes become rain clouds,
But the memories of your Joy held in my heart takes that all out,
The warmth of your spirit and the way it has always shined will be a constant reminder to me,
That even though you are far away, you are always with me.