Whosoever coined the phrase 'NO MAN IS PERFECT' surely didn't meet my dad.
I am one of those few people that prefer dads to moms. I am sorry if you would want to disagree with me. It is because you don't have a dad like my dad.
Growing up I have watched him several times, being exceptional, special and yet with many flaws! flaws I say? why would my perfect man be plagued with flaws?
This year my Dad clocked 95. It made me remember an event that happened long ago. I was barely 5 years old. We had the yellow bush flower around the house as ornamental. That faithful day I was pestering the gardener to dish out his lovely jokes and stories when this huge snake appeared from the flowers. Funny enough the gardener gave run to his legs while I stood there gasping and panting and screaming. Even though he was already in his late 70's, my dad appeared in a flash, he didnt remember to bring a stick (he didn't know why I was screaming anyway) but seeing the danger that enveloped me, he grabbed a car tire lying around and smashed the snake with it. After a few struggles he killed it. It was a huge corrugated python called monamona in yoruba)...and I still didn't stop screaming. He ran to me seeing the shock that engulfed me. He kept saying it 'everything is okay omo mi' (Everything is okay my child). You see at that time it didn't mean much to me, I didnt even realize my dad would end up in severe pains in the days that followed...he is hypertensive yet he ran like that...at that moment i thought i was the one in shock but it was my dad.

In the years that followed we attended a rich school. A kind of school where students would ask you if you are commissioner's daughter or a king's child...., or a governor's baby . The students were terribly rude including the few white kids among them. Yes we (my cousin and I) where the one that pestered my dad to enroll us in the school because everything looked so cool from outside...But the craziest thing that can ever happen in high-school are the things happening within the four walls of the school. Things I dread to say. The students were disappointed when they learnt that I was not in anyway attached to an highly placed individual in the society, the intimidation and bullying was enormous and the teachers could do nothing. There is a no-punishment policy in the school and teachers dare not even shout back at kids. the first day in the school was torture for me and it became even worse when during closing hours parents came with landcruisers, limousines and tinted hilux to take their kids home, some even had escorts. My dad came himself with our old 94' toyota camry! My feet dragged. My cousin sank in his knees...the feeling was terrible.
Telling everything to dad at home, we were not sure if we could make it through the next day in a school like that but he forced us to go anyway, just like we forced him to enroll us. That afternoon he came to the school and requested to see how I was doing in classes. The principal escorted him and I was shocked to see him walked into the class. Some students asked if he was my grand dad. Some asked if he is my driver and some easily agreed that he is my dad. When my dad was leaving he said it out to our class teacher 'she is a diamond, my eye and my heart. Please ensure she's always happy' One thing I remember, the class was silent...the reason wasn't obvious to me. While my dad always say stuffs like that, it never occurred to me that some of those rich kids don't even get to spend time with their parents...the silence was bewildering and astonishing. One girl named Tara even wept her eyeballs out...she told me she wished her dad would say things about her. Somehow my dad's visit made the second day in school comforting...everyone wished they have what I have.
That afternoon it was a tokunbo chrysler c300 (THAT CAR THAT LOOKS LIKE BENTLEY LOL) that came to pick us. It turned out my dad bought a new car! The students couldn't tell the difference. To some it was bentley.

But all these great things are not why I think my dad is a perfect man.
One morning my dad came to my room. He knocked as usual (He is the only civilized person in the house anyway. Mum doesnt knock, not even my cousin who is a boy. I am used to it anyway and i take precautions to guide my privacy), but dad would always knock. I keep telling him he doesn't have to do it...but he would always insist. Well that day my dad came to apologize for something that happened long ago when i was just three years. I had fallen from his hand and had a cut on my head. He said I cried for days and it was as though the cut won't heal. My dad said till that moment, several years after, he still hear my cries in his sleeps. And if I had die, he would have never forgiven himself' That day was more of like hugs and tears...he doesnt even have to do that. I hold no grudge (how can i even hold a grudge of something i have no knowledge of)

As he was leaving my room he stopped by the door post and looked back. seeing his tears i remember age is taking a toll on him. He is past his prime, I could read his heart...he is worried for me, what would happen when he is gone. But dad always hide his pains...funny how i have grown to learn to read those pains perfectly.

When my dad clocked 94 (last year), he started supporting himself with a walking stick but not always. His strength had diminished but his appearance and composure didnt fail him. Again that year I was reading outside the house when a snake appeared again. This time it was a green little snake and it fell from the masquerade trees. Me being me, I screamed again! My dad's helper was not around the house...he took a car to the mechanic's workshop and my mum was resting inside. My cousin had gone out too to see one his numerous girlfriends. Again like many years ago, my dad ran out with a dash! It was the fastest run I have seen him do in years. As he came down from the corridor stair case he fell! With the snake gently crawling away in between us I could not reach my dad, he kept calling my name and i kept shouting like dad! He was very worried. Our new neighbor a young fair man, being alarmed jumped over the fence into our compound...(I still have no idea how he did that! cux the electric wires were always on!!) but the snake had crawled away. We helped my dad up...the shock made him collapse, his BP rose and we had to get him to a nearby clinic. While there i stayed with him. In the night when he woke up to take his meds he looked into my eyes with a heavy heart....tears quickly form in our eyes both. He reached for my cheeks and said with a soft voice... "I am sorry I couldn't kill the snake this time...I am sorry you had to scream without getting help" he said so many apologies while i just kept on crying...then he ended with "it won't happen again...we will kill the snake next time"
I know my dad have passed the 'snake killing age' He is dying and worried for his daughter whom he birthed at such an old age. There might be a next time of seeing snakes...but my dad wouldn't be of much help anymore.
That man (my dad) is a great man. It is this single thing he could not do (killing the snake) that will forever make me love him, and remember him as the man who can make everything look alright.
.
.
.
The perfect man.

Wow! Dads are amazing!

So, you're just just 23 years old and you're insulting your elders here

Davash222:
So, you're just just 23 years old and you're insulting your elders here

It's obvious you didn't read the write up at all. Lazy youth!

At OP, I pray ur dad enjoys the remaining years of his amazing life. The story is touching!

Dads are gifts from heaven.

I could feel the emotion behind this writeup. You're lucky to have such a great a dad and he's lucky to have an appreciative child. Regardless of their shortcomings, it's mindblowing how far parents can go for thier children. My father still managed to charge against a young able bodied cab driver who threatened me at the airport. Lol, it was so funny and touching as well. Sometimes I feel like taking the next flight to Africa just to hug my aging parents and come back.

For those whose parents are still alive, this is a call to show them all the love, care and affection you can afford. They won't be there forever.

Long live our parents.

This is so sweet

angelEmade:

That man (my dad) is a great man. It is this single thing he could not do (killing the snake) that will forever make me love him, and remember him as the man who can make everything look alright.
.
.
.

Reading thru dis, I don't think your dad is an ordinary man, I guess he is an angel....
Are you the only kid he has? If yes, dts explains why he is being like that but mehn, he is a great man... A father is different from a daddy.... Yours is a daddy.... I wish God can just reduce like 25 years from his current years so that he will be with u for long....

I am Touched coz I wonder the kind of dad dt does all these, he is truly an angel..... If Age cud be bribe, I wud have said we shud bribe age but it's a pity.... Emade, make sure that man does not regret when he sees what u become of..
I guess u understand MI..... I'm sure he has some expectations from u...

So kindly do me a favor, ask him.. Dad, what are your expectations about me?


To some, it's their dad.. But to me, it's my mum....
4eva will I be grateful to that woman...

Davash222:
So, you're just just 23 years old and you're insulting your elders here

AngelEmade, do u insult people on nairaland truly?? Is davash right about this?

This is a nice read

angelEmade:
Yes we (my cousin and I) where the one that pestered my dad to enroll us in the school because everything looked so cool from outside...My dad came himself with our old 94' toyota camry! My feet dragged. My cousin sank in his knees...the feeling was terrible.
Telling everything to dad at home, we were not sure if we could make it through the next day in a school like that but he forced us to go anyway, just like we forced him to enroll us.

sounds like what my dad did when we were Young.
We forced him to buy us a Ghanian food which we thought would be delicious but it was so pepprish. He forced us to eat it

Who is cutting onions here.

Reminds me so much of my dad. Love the relationship between the two of you.

Call on me when you see your snake ....

blank:
Who is cutting onions here.

Reminds me so much of my dad. Love the relationship between the two of you.

not all fathers are perfect...some are gods sent by God

Don't make me start searching for your dad to "high five" him biko.. I'm kinda blown away

I also think u should start learning how to kill a snake. Aje-butter days are over. There's a gentleman here on nairaland people usually call when snake topic appears. Ask him, I guess he won't mind teaching u

angelEmade:
Whosoever coined the phrase 'NO MAN IS PERFECT' surely didn't meet my dad.
I am one those few people that prefer dads to moms. I am sorry if you would want to disagree with me. It is because you don't have a dad like my dad.
Growing up I have watched him several times, being exceptional, special and yet with many flaws! flaws I say? why would my perfect man be plagued with flaws?
This year my Dad clocked 95. It made me remember an event that happened long ago. I was barely 5 years old. We had the yellow bush flower around the house as ornamental. That faithful day I was pestering the gardener to dish out his lovely jokes and stories when this huge snake appeared from the flowers. Funny enough the gardener gave run to his legs while I stood there gasping and panting and screaming. Even though he was already in his late 70's, my dad appeared in a flash, he didnt remember to bring a stick (he didn't know why I was screaming anyway) but seeing the danger that enveloped me, grabbed a car tire lying around and smashed the snake with it. After a few struggles he killed it It was a huge corrugated python called monamona in yoruba)...and I still didn't stop screaming. He ran to me seeing the shock that engulfed me. He kept saying it 'everything is okay omo mi' (Everything is okay my child). You see at that time it didn't mean much to me, I didnt even realize my dad would end up in severe pains in the days that followed...he is hypertensive yet he ran like that...at that moment i thought i was the one in shock but it was my dad.

In the years that followed we attended a rich school. A kind of school where students would ask you if you are commissioner's daughter or a king's child...., or a governor's baby . The students were terribly rude including the few white kids among them. Yes we (my cousin and I) where the one that pestered my dad to enroll us in the school because everything looked so cool from outside...But the craziest thing that can ever happen in high-school are the things happening within the four walls of the school. Things I dread to say. The students were disappointed when they learn I was not in anyway attached to an highly placed individual in the society, the intimidation and bullying was enormous and the teachers could do nothing. There is a no-punishment policy in the school and teachers dare not even shout back at kids. the first day in the school was torture for me and it became even worse when during closing hours parents came with landcruisers, limousines and tinted hilux to take their kids home, some even had escorts. My dad came himself with our old 94' toyota camry! My feet dragged. My cousin sank in his knees...the feeling was terrible.
Telling everything to dad at home, we were not sure if we could make it through the next day in a school like that but he forced us to go anyway, just like we forced him to enroll us. That afternoon he came to the school and requested to see how I was doing in classes. The principal escorted him and I was shocked to see in walked into the class. Some students asked if he was my grand dad. Some asked if he is my driver and some easily agreed that he is my dad. When my dad was leaving he said it out to our class teacher 'she is a diamond, my eye and my heart. Please ensure she's always happy' One thing I remember, the class was silent...the reason wasn't obvious. While my dad always say stuffs like that, it never occurred to me that some of those rich kids don't even get to spend time with their parents...the silence was bewildering and astonishing. One girl named Tara even wept her eyeballs out...she told me she wished her dad would say things about her. Somehow my dad's visit made the second day in school comforting...everyone wished they have what I have.
That afternoon it was a tokunbo chrysler c300 (THAT CAR THAT LOOKS LIKE BENTLEY LOL) that came to pick us. It turned out my dad bought a new car! The students couldn't tell the difference. To some it was bentley.

But all these great things are not why I think my dad is a perfect man.
One morning my dad came to my room. He knocked as usual (He is the only civilized person in the house anyway. Mum doesnt knock, not even my cousin who is a boy. I am used to it anyway and i take precautions to guide my privacy), but dad would always knock. I keep telling him he doesn't have to do it...but he would always insist. Well that day my dad came to apologize for something that happened long ago when i was just three years. I had fallen from his hand and had a cut on my head. He said I cried for days and it was as though the cut won't heal. My dad said till that moment, several years after, he still hears my cries in his sleeps. And if I had dies, he would have never forgiven himself' That day was more of like hugs and tears...he doesnt even have to do that. I hold no grudge (how can i even hold a grudge of something i have no knowledge of)

As he was leaving my room he stopped by the door post and looked back. seeing his tears i remember age is taking a toll on him. He is past his prime, I could read his heart...he is worried for me, what would happen when he is gone. But father always hide his pains...funny how i have grown to learn to read those pains perfectly.

When my dad clocked 94 (last year), he started supporting himself with a walking stick but not always. His strength had diminished but his appearance and composure didnt fail him. Again that year I was reading outside the house when a snake appeared again. This time it was a green little snake and it fell from the masquerade trees. Me being me, I screamed again! My dad's helper was not around the house...he took a car to the mechanic's workshop and my mum was resting inside. My cousin had gone out too to see one his numerous girlfriends. Again like many years ago, my dad ran out with a dash! It was the fastest run I have seen him do in years. As he came down from the corridor stair case he fell! With the snake gently crawling away in between us I could not reach my dad, he kept calling my name and i kept shouting dad. He was very worried. Our new neighbor a young fair man, being alarmed jumped over the fence into our compound...(I still have no idea how he did that! cux the electric wires were always on!!) but the snake had crawled away. We helped my dad up...the shocked made him collapse, his BP rose and we had to get him to a nearby clinic. While there i stayed with him. In the night when he woke up to take his meds he looked into my eyes with a heavy heart....tears quickly form in our eyes both. He reached for my cheeks and said with a soft voice... "I am sorry I couldn't kill the snake this time...I am sorry you had to scream without getting help" he said so many apologies while i just kept on crying...then he ended with "it won't happen again...we will kill the snake next time"
I know my dad have passed the 'snake killing age' He is dying and worried for his daughter whom he birth at such an old age. There might be a next time of seeing snakes...but my dad wouldn't be of much help anymore.
That man (my dad) is a great man. It is this single thing he could not do (killing the snake) that will forever make me love him, and remember him as the man who can make everything look alright.
.
.
.
The perfect man.

nice to know I'm not alone in this,my dad has loved me way too much that I can't imagine ever leaving him,im his only daughter and our bond is exceptional,my mom gets jealous atimes lol.My dad is my boyfriend lol,he takes me out and spoils me silly,he takes most of my pictures as I love taking pictures alot.My dad is still young and I wish he would remain this young and handsome forever.I have always told him that I will beg whoever that marries me to allow me stay with him(my dad) and he(my husband)will be paying me a visit but he just laughed and said my child we will cross that bridge when the time comes.I love my dad soooooooooooooo much.God bless your dad too and may God keep him in good health amen

Hey OP, this your post made me shed a tear or two.

I wish so deeply all fathers were like this.

Thanks for capturing this so beautifully.

..

Mrkcee:

It's obvious you didn't read the write up at all. Lazy youth!

At OP, I pray ur dad enjoys the remaining years of his amazing life. The story is touching!

Thanks for these prayers..it means alot

etrange:
Dads are gifts from heaven.

I could feel the emotion behind this writeup. You're lucky to have such a great a dad and he's lucky to have an appreciative child. Regardless of their shortcomings, it's mindblowing how far parents can go for thier children. My father still managed to charge against a young able bodied cab driver who threatened me at the airport. Lol, it was so funny and touching as well. Sometimes I feel like taking the next flight to Africa just to hug my aging parents and come back.

For those whose parents are still alive, this is a call to show them all the love, care and affection you can afford. They won't be there forever.

Long live our parents.

Thanks dear...you are amazing. I love how you can figure out the 'emotions behind the writeup' you are so, so on point.

Richy4:
Don't make me start searching for your dad to "high five" him biko.. I'm kinda blown away

I also think u should start learning how to kill a snake. Aje-butter days are over. There's a gentleman here on nairaland people usually call when snake topic appears. Ask him, I guess he won't mind teaching u

Lol
lalasticlala

Read thr n I really din know what to say

etrange:
Dads are gifts from heaven.

I could feel the emotion behind this writeup. You're lucky to have such a great a dad and he's lucky to have an appreciative child. Regardless of their shortcomings, it's mindblowing how far parents can go for thier children. My father still managed to charge against a young able bodied cab driver who threatened me at the airport. Lol, it was so funny and touching as well. Sometimes I feel like taking the next flight to Africa just to hug my aging parents and come back.

For those whose parents are still alive, this is a call to show them all the love, care and affection you can afford. They won't be there forever.

Long live our parents.

It baffles me where that loving strength always come from...
Yes, dads are amazing.

I could not get past the point where it's stated that the father is 95. This would make the writer a granddaddy, but the emotions behind the write-up seem like it's coming from a young adult.

I'm sorry, I get hung up on the details too much for my own good.

Unnerve:
I could not get past the point where it's stated that the father is 95. This would make the writer a granddaddy, but the emotions behind the write-up seem like it's coming from a young adult.

I'm sorry, I get caught up on the details too much for my own good.

I am almost 23

That's my dad. Surprised us always,cooked,cleaned,and pampered us.
He taught us the Igbo language, it's pronunciations, it's proverbs and spellings. My mom was the disciplinarian

I dearly miss him, Sir P. Rest on. Rest on

angelEmade:

I am almost 23

And your dad is 95?
You have an interesting family, I like.

Unnerve:

And your dad is 95?
You have an interesting family, I like.

Yeah...and there is a whole long story about it too

angelEmade:

Yeah...and there is a whole long story about it too

Lol, no need for the long story, I'm quite okay with the short story where your dad had you when he was 72.

He's a legend

angelEmade:

I am almost 23

I got it right.


My utmost regards to your dad. He's the MVP.

Unnerve:

Lol, no need for the long story, I'm quite okay with the short story where your dad had you when he was 72.

He's a legend

whatever that means...thanks.

Your story is so emotional,your dad is indeed a great man this is the kind of dad I want to be once am married
So sad I couldn't even meet my dad only heard about this story RIP DAD

angelEmade:

I am almost 23

So I have my mate here too

This was so beautiful to read! Now, I am inspired more than ever, to be there for my children and my wifey! Thanks OP!