As I write and share this moment, I teared up a bit… Honestly, a lot actually…
Edited Using Canva
Tears did not roll down my cheek only due to the hurt that came with losing the first man I ever loved but because after my dad passed, it was a very dark period in my life and that of my close family members.
My First Love (Dad)
The drama that ensued was simply unbelievable and quite frankly ridiculous.
My Brother and I culturally dressed
Trying to force a smile...I was a complete mess!
My extended family made the grieving period very tough for my mom, my brother, and I.
From threats of not burying my dad for as long as they pleased by delaying burial plans to threats of causing issues during the burial day to squandering funds set aside for the burial to changing the burial date as they pleased without reason…
I don’t want to get into further details but in all the emotions I felt during this period, the feeling of gratitude was one I valued and held unto.
Exiting the lying-in-state room
Why, you may ask? Especially given the sad things that happened?
I’ll tell you why…
Reminiscing on that time leading up until my dad was finally laid to rest, I was anxious for the big day – the burial day. Everyone was on guard, security officials had been deployed in numbers to make sure there was calm and my mom, brother, and I felt safe.
On our way to our hometown
Lo and Behold!
My Loved ones and I with gratitude on our faces
The day came and regardless of one or two hiccups, dad’s burial was peaceful and a huge success.
My dad was a HERO.
Not just to me and my family but a lot of people and I witnessed it that day.
The goodwill my dad had was so overwhelming. The amount of cash and kind gifts that were given to my family from the government, institutions, communities, families, and individuals were simply out-of-this-world.
Dad in a Mercedes
People traveled from far and wide (across state and national borders) to come and pay my dad his last respect in grand style.
Over 20 canons were shot in honor of him, I lost count at some point as I was not in the best place emotionally on that day.
My dad used to always say, “A good name is better than riches”. Although he was a very blessed and comfortable man, he indeed had a good name.
...I saw this play out practically on the day of his celebration of life and time on earth.
Dad rode in a chariot
My dad was laid to rest on May 29th, 2021 and this day would forever remain memorable to me because I got to honor my dad, I watched people honor him in unimaginable ways, it was a very peaceful and glorious day, and gratitude is all I have to capture how I felt about this day.
Thank you 
I invite 
Thank you all so much for reading!