A. Pastor Basil Azubuike Okoli Tribute

As i write this tribute, it is bittersweet. Bitter-- because my father is no longer here and because there is so much I want to ask and tell him, but cannot. Sweet-- because I know I was so lucky to have such a strong, moral, responsible, caring, and loving father in my life (who was so good to us), when--today--so many kids do not and most important of all, he is resting in the bossom of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Dad was a great father, who sacrificed financial lucre in exchange for spending time with us kids, caring for us, and taking us places-- we knew our father loved us. And he taught us to be kind and charitable to others, especially those less fortunate. My father was a very special person, I miss him so much.

To those of you who are lucky enough to still have your father on this earth, I hope you will give him a hug and that he will hug you back. And I hope you appreciate what you have, before it is too late. In many ways, I feel that I did not appreciate my father enough, as I cleaned out his house and went through the thousands of memories--photos, notes, letters, etc. My father was at all times a real father to us. He sacrificed his personal happiness for our well-being.

Fathers are so important in our lives, but they do not get the respect they deserve. Good fathers teach their sons how to act like men, and their daughters how to be treated by men. So, if you still have your father in your life, tell him how much you love him and appreciate his presence and influence in your life. Make sure he knows that he made a difference and for the better. If you are a father, kudos to you for doing the often thankless hard work some Men won't do. You have made a difference in someone's life and made the world better for that effort.

While my father is no longer physically present on this earth, I know he is looking down from above, and he is always on my mind. I hope he is reading this. Dad, I love you. And I miss you

From Chuma.