“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” (NIV). Exodus 20: 12
Today, after many years of living without
my beloved Mum and Dad, I pause to honour and celebrate the two heroes whose
lives made mine possible. Though they are no longer here for me to embrace,
their love remains woven into the person I have become.
Today, I am a grandfather. My parents never
had the opportunity to meet all my children or hold their grandchildren in
their arms. There are moments when I wish they could see the family that has
grown from the love they gave us. Yet, even in that longing, I thank Almighty
God for the gift of their lives and for every chapter of my own journey.
When my father died, I was only eight years
old. At that age, I could not fully understand what death meant. Somewhere in
my young heart, I believed Dad would return. When my mother passed away while I
was a teenager, I was old enough to feel the pain but still too young to make
sense of such a profound loss. In those moments, grief remained unspoken, and
the tears I needed to shed never found their way out.
Today, I allow those tears to fall, not
only tears of sorrow for the years we missed, but tears of gratitude and joy
for the extraordinary blessing of having been their son. I now understand that
love does not end when a life ends. It lives on in our memories, our values,
our choices, and the love we pass to the next generation.
A LETTER TO MY BELOVED MUM AND DAD posthumously
Dear Dad and Mum,
Without you, there would be no me. You were
the vessels through whom God brought me into this world, and I will forever be
grateful for the gift of your lives. Thank you for who you were, for the love
you gave, and for the compassion you showed to others. You could not bear to
see another child suffer, and that kindness remains one of the most precious
parts of your legacy.
Dad, I never had the chance to say goodbye.
In your final days, you had lost your voice, and I could not hear the words I
so desperately wish I had heard. But even without that final conversation, I
knew you loved us deeply. Your love did not need a last sentence to be real; it
had already spoken through the life you lived and the family you helped shape.
Mum, I remember that as you approached your
final moments, you called my name, your little boy, Kayula Bright. I arrived
too late to hear the last words or instructions you may have wanted to give me.
That memory stays with me, but so does my gratitude. You carried the weight of
raising the family as a single mother, holding us together through challenges
and making sure we went to school. Because of your determination and sacrifice,
I was able to complete my education. Your strength helped build the life I live
today.
Mum and Dad, thank you. The person I am
today carries something of you both. I will cherish your memory for as long as
I live, and I pray that you rest in God’s eternal presence. Lord, thank You for
entrusting my siblings and me to two loving parents. Though we could not keep
them with us forever, we were blessed to have them, and their legacy continues
through us.
A MESSAGE TO EVERYONE WHO STILL HAS THEIR PARENTS
Dear reader, if your parents are still
alive, please do not wait for a funeral to discover the value of their
presence. Love them while you can. Call them, visit them, listen to their
stories, and make time for them. Ask yourself simple but important questions:
Have they eaten today? Are they comfortable? Do they feel remembered,
respected, and loved?
Many parents spend years giving up their
comfort so their children can have opportunities they never had. Often, they do
not ask for much in return. A little food, a thoughtful visit, a kind word,
help with daily needs, or a few unhurried moments together can mean more than
we realise. If you are able, care for them generously, not out of guilt or
obligation alone, but out of gratitude for the love and sacrifices that helped
shape your life.
Honour your parents with compassion and
respect, even when life is complicated and your relationship has its
challenges. Do what you reasonably can to bring them dignity, comfort, and
peace. Do not assume there will always be another tomorrow, another conversation,
or another chance to say, “Thank you, Mum. Thank you, Dad. I love you.” Life is
unpredictable, and time is a gift we cannot reclaim.
Stay close whenever you can. Treasure their
laughter, learn from their stories, and receive their blessings while you still
have the opportunity. One day, the ordinary moments you share may become the
memories you would give anything to experience again.
Above all, set aside a day in your calendar
to celebrate the life of your parents
Today, I celebrate my parents, not because
the pain of losing them has disappeared, but because gratitude has grown
alongside that pain. I honour their sacrifices, their compassion, and the life
they gave me. Their journey on earth ended, but their influence did not. It
lives in their children, in their grandchildren, and in every act of love that
carries their legacy forward.
Mum and Dad, you
are loved, you are remembered, and you will never be forgotten.
