My dear Dad is gone to be with the Lord

But I will do one thing, share his favourite Poem that meant something while growing up but made perfect sense in recent times.

If— by Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too;

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,

Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,

And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;

If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same;

If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,

And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings

And never breathe a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

To serve your turn long after they are gone,

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on!”

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,

Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,

If all men count with you, but none too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,

Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,

And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!

Dear Teacher, I have very fond memories of you which will linger in my heart. Is it the years you were our JETS club patron, giving us gifts to encourage us to work hard? The advice  you always gave us at every opportunity? The unique set of plates you and mama gifted me for my wedding? You were not just my teacher, you were a father. I still remember your calm persuasive voice encouraging me to always strive for excellence. God bless you my teacher. May your soul rest eternally with the Creator. 

Good night sir. See you on resurrection morning. 

To my beloved dad in heaven,

Your absence is a void, that can never be filled and yet your presence lingers in the memories and the lessons, you left behind.

You were more than a father,

You were a hero,

A mentor and a steadfast source of support.

Your guidance and unwavering love, have been the cornerstone of my life and your strength and wisdom continues to shape the person I am today.

The values you instilled in me and the memories we created together are a testament to your enduring legacy.

Though I can no longer share moments with you, I find comfort in the countless times we laughed, learned and simply enjoyed each other's company.

Your love remains a guiding light in my heart. While you may have left this world, the bond we share is unbreakable.

You are forever in my thoughts 💭 

I love you ❤️