From the first, you loved me unconditionally. I was a difficult teenager, but you never gave up on me. As a sometimes contrary adult, you loved me nonetheless. I know it was not easy, but you were patient, and you never stopped caring. I know fathers should love their children unconditionally, but not all fathers do. I know there are fathers like you, but you were unique. If I had a choice, I would have chosen you. If I have another life, and a choice, I will choose you.

You were not perfect, but you were my imperfectly perfect Daddy who fathered eight blessings. As an imperfectly perfect parent, you were humble enough to learn, unlearn and relearn. We loved you unconditionally, as you loved us unconditionally.

For parenting us well, we love you endlessly. For always unconditionally putting us first, we love you endlessly. For always unconditionally being there for us, we love you endlessly. For teaching us that it is human to make mistakes, we love you endlessly. For teaching us that it is wise to always learn from our

mistakes, we love you endlessly.

For teaching us to better our good, best our better, and better our best, we love you endlessly. For teaching us to always hope reasonably, persevere, and be conscientious, we love you endlessly. For showing us that saying sorry, is not a weakness, but a strength, we love you endlessly. For unconditionally believing in us, and teaching us to always believe in ourselves, we love you endlessly. For always being proud of us, and showing us the virtues of humility, we love you endlessly.

For the blessing of having our better than the best Mother, we love you endlessly.

For the blessing you were, and the blessing you still are in our hearts, we love you endlessly.

The story of ejekinwo is more than that of a young boy who lost his pencils everyday in school.

It is of a father who always remembered to ask, and bought a pack of pencils, so that after the lesson was taught through stern admonition to remind me to be more careful, he’d always have a pencil for me.

My father was a man who showed us that love is in the details. It was in the way he remembered the little things, the way he showed up, time and again, with exactly what we needed – whether it was a pencil, a kind word, or a steady hand to guide us through life’s challenges.

Thank you daddy. Your memory is etched in every step I take, every choice I make, and every pencil I hold.

You will forever be in our heart.