Farewell Daddy!

We have now returned from my father's burial and I feel that I can now move on, bouyed by the thought of closure and renewal as I move on in what for me is a new and changed world.

My Dad's burial was extremely emotional and phenomenally spectacular! The proceedings ran over 3 days - the procession with Daddy in his casket, the ceremonies - both christian and traditional, culminating in the physical burial, and then the celebration procession which saw us walking many miles through the various villages acknowledging the love and condolences from, what seemed to me, everyone in the entire State! What a way to go - my Dad was clearly much loved and has left a wonderful legacy. He would have loved every minute of it.

There was a hilarious episode while my Dad was being buried where I was sobbing uncontrollably, and then the lead digger stopped proceedings with a flourish of his spade and demanded that a crate of guinness and a bottle of gin be secured immediately, lest Daddy got thirsty! It was absolutely bizarre and left me laughing uncontrollably through my tears! Just the type of thing Daddy would have done!

It was surreal and fabulous and wonderful and I am so grateful that Amadi and I were there to say goodbye in that very public, spectacular way.

And now on with the rest of my life, without him.

Much love,

Chineme