TRIBUTE TO MY FATHER

CHIEF (Hon) MATTHEW BABATUNDE SHORINOLA

It was very hard to reconcile the fact that my daddy had gone to be with the Lord.

During the day I try so hard to show that nothing is wrong. But at night my tears will flow, it was just so sudden you had to go. People keep asking if I'm ok, the answer is no but its yes I say. I'm trying to move on, but it's just not fair that you are gone. I do not have any hate in my heart, but I was not ready for a new start.

I will never say goodbye to you daddy because I know this is not the end for us to see each other.
You will only be going to a place where there’s no pain nor suffering.

I remember how your arms held me and give me strength. You were always there to listen, love, and defend me in everything. You were my very best friend.  In my triumphs you were always proud.
I’m very grateful and proud to call you my dad. Here deep inside my heart you’ll always be.
I remember the last time I held your hand and how you looked at me in the eyes. If only I could turn back the time I would have never let you go. I felt the world stop and my heart stop beating when they told me you were gone……. How I wish I was only dreaming.
Just like the rain; tears fell down from my eyes, I couldn’t speak for a while. 

Daddy, you put me through beautiful things of life that made me what I am today; the discipline, chastisements, morals, values. The trainings I had to go through in your hands were hard but in the end, it brought out a virtuous woman in me.

You were a father that would not bargain his children’s education and welfare for anything. I remember when my brother and I gained admission to varsity at the same time; you worked hard to make it possible.
Times were tough that I knew but you did what you could, to help us through.

You were a risk-taker, a goal getter, an achiever, a problem solver, a caring father, a disciplinarian, all your life; you lived a life of sacrifice, always willing to help others (known and unknown). You were a hard-worker; I never saw u eat the bread of idleness. You were always brainstorming looking for better ways of doing things to achieve a better result, little wonder you are loved by many even in death; you could fixed anything you laid your hands on. There wasn’t a thing you couldn’t do with a little cement or some glue. Just thinking about this, is making me blue!

You made me so proud on my wedding day when you so unselfishly gave me away.
You hugged me and wished me well, and I think I saw a tear. It was so hard for you to let me go
To let your “little girl” venture into a world unknown without you holding my hand or to catch me if I fall;
But don’t worry daddy I remember everything you taught me and If I forget, it’s a pity I can’t call.

Now it’s time for me to let you go, the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do;

but before I do, I want you to know, I’m so sorry for all I put you through
I Love you Daddy more than you'll ever know
I wish you were here, I wish you were alive!

But I am glad because I know you are in heaven as a shining star.

Your battle is now over, no more tears flowing down your cheek,
no more pain, no more suffering, now you are no longer weak.
I still do not understand why this had to happen to you, but I am proud to say you are my dad, the greatest man I ever knew.

                                                                                                 Omolara Oyewole