My Father, My Love.

Many called him “Daddy”, he called us “Bo-Manini baka”. His laughter was contagious and he is one of those that would slap you hard in excitement. Be sure to be far from him when he is relating a story that involves lots of laughter. He demonstrated his love so well and I still feel it in my being. It truly sustains me and I’m very grateful to have had a father like Morienyane Paulosi Kaibe. A gentle soul on all spheres, a lover, a friend, a dedicated family man, a mentor.

Truly fortunate that we had such a fantastic role model in our lives. His support for all we did throughout our lives was unmatched. His love and devotion to family were ever-present. Dad’s smile was warm and genuine. When he spoke to you, he was whole-heartedly interested. He cared. His unconditional love for my mom was something straight out of the story books.

I wish for all fathers to be all the good they can for their children. To be present and impactful in their lives. My dad was there for me, for us. Yesterday I did over four loads of laundry just to keep my mind occupied and my hands engaged. I thought about this coming Sunday as we celebrate Father’s Day and how he never got tired of socks and coffee mugs and how he’d tell anyone that cared to listen how wonderful her girls were.

I look at his pictures and I feel his presence, many a times I wonder how life would have panned out had God spared his life. I cry and laugh in one setting when I reminisce about him.

I am craving for his physical presence, I miss his home made strawberry wine that wasn’t nice but everyone delighted in drinking it because it was made out of love and giggles. I miss his explanations on how things worked and our long family trips and camping. Heck! I also miss our trips back to school, many car break downs and having to either push our very old cream Peugeot station wagon we called “mahlo”or go under the “mojeremane” maroon Benz in order to check the oil leak or whatever the problem was with the car. I miss his sense of humor and grateful for all the good memories I have of him.

I miss that affirmation and edification from him. The tight warm hug that says “I love you” and in not so good moments it screamed “everything is going to be alright”.

I miss all that! When life goes south as it sometimes does, I want to pick up a call and just have a chat with him and pick up some tidbits on how to make things better.

He was a caller! He’d call just to say “I love you Manini” and maybe that’s where my appreciation of calls emanates.

Many people who knew my dad and my family, wonder how my mom is coping without my dad. It was a salt and pepper kind of relationship. My mom was loved and spoilt. I envy that about her. Her health deteriorated from the day my dad was called home on that somber Mother’s Day of 2009. My mom’s life has never been the same since. Shortly after that she was diagnosed with Dementia which is taking a lot from her. While her story unfolds with each day, she is safe and smiles and slaps me again (like her husband) out of excitement to see me and my kids.

It is my mission to ensure that her days are filled with as much joy as possible. Dementia has robbed my mom of her life, it has shielded her from joy and zest of life and one thing that stands; she misses Dad a lot. They called each other “Dear” and that’s where my definition of love comes from. I’ve seen them love each other dearly and experienced their love.

Mom, our journey continues and I know you don’t even know that this Sunday is Father’s Day and it is okay my sweetheart. We miss your cooking and baking.

Dad, you will forever be in my heart till the day my heart stops beating and I’m re united with you.

Let it be a Wondrous Wednesday!

Daddy’s Girl

Likha~Biso