User:Paulosah/sandbox

A sample of a Eulogy of a son to his father!

EULOGY FOR MY DAD

For those people who may not know me, I am Paul Ochieng', the last born son to the late Mzee Mark Gregory Ochieng' Obondo.

First and foremost, I would like to thank you all for being here today. To see so many people who loved dad and want to be here to say goodbye to him is just incredible. He would be proud of the respect you have shown him and honored by your presence. It wasn't easy for me to write this eulogy for the man I loved and enjoyed a fantastic relationship with. I cannot narrate all his exceptional attributes and personality because many have other engagements to attend to.

My father was an intelligent, strong, loving and honest man. He was a teacher of all things. He taught me how to face and live all aspects of life. At any age, when faced with an ethical or social dilemma, after reflection, study or even rationalization, I found myself coming back to one simple question; "What would dad advice me to do?" His character and teachings are the foundation of my conscience.

Although my dad may never have said it out loud, I know that he was truly proud of his children and the way we all have grown up amidst myriad of challenges. Dad was a straightforward man who demanded little from those around him, and who expected only the best for his family. Provided he heard regularly from us all- and saw us whenever possible-he was content. As his children, the only way we can repay him and keep his candle burning is to be united and live in cohesion as he always taught us to.

To me, dad's finest quality was his patience: an inherent ability to listen, to absorb and to offer a point of view based on quiet, measured wisdom. I will never forget the times I consulted him about my career choice and even my love-life since these were areas I considered him my hero and role model, He always told me; " Do what you feel, what you believe is right. Follow your gut, your heart, pray to God about it and you can't go wrong...for I believe and trust in you".

My father had a quiet dignity, respecting himself the way he respected others. Even as he faced his final days, his body ravaged with the chronic illness, he never lost his good humour and the inner strength and will to continue guiding his family towards the right direction. In fact, he never had a moment of self-pity.

It's difficult to imagine him not being around and am not sure how we will cope without him. Dad lived a fairly long life and only succumbed to ill health at the very end. He was an imposing figure of a man, a tall, dark, well-built handsome character whose reassuring presence we all felt during difficult times.

As we gather here today to remember and commemorate his life, let us bid him farewell as we mourn the loss of a lively, dignified soul; a soul that brought joy and fulfilment to many, and whose legacy and memories we will live to remember, honor and cherish forever.