Tribute to Dad

My greatest Hero - Brian de Witt

25/02/1959 - 21/01/2021 Between these years the most wonderful human walked the Earth. The most humble, sincere and loving dad. Anyone who knew him will understand what this means, He is my hero, my rock, the guide in my life, and my best oldest friend I ever did have. Life without him makes my heart so sore, but I guess God just needed him more.

I am blessed to have the memories I have of my dad. My childhood memories are that of a fairytale like story. The love and affection I recieved was more than anyone could ever have asked for. From bed time stories putting me to sleep, to sitting at my bedside and wake me up. In 35 years of our time together my dad was constant and never changed, the affection, love and care lasted till the very end.

Taking me to sports gounds on weekends or after school to play soccer, throw a ball, play catch or just to be there while I got to run around and play. When I was older but way to young to drive, he would take me to quiet roads and teach me to drive a car and ride a motorbike before my feet could even reach the floor.‌‌ While many dads are there to teach, and guide, work and provide, mine was no different and he did just that. Providing to our every need. Working a job is the norm and growing up it was just so, but older now I realise it was not fair, robbed of time since he had no normal 9 to 5. Working shifts, days or nights, working Monday to Sunday, even Christmas and new year. The hours were bad, his days were long, 12 to 18 hour shifts some times it would be. Two jobs to pay my fees, to give us the best that he could provide.‌‌‌‌Along with all this, there was still time for family, he never broke and never cracked, that kind of pressure I could not do. In awe of my dad, so humble to the core. He oozed compassion, he never angered, he never failed. He pushed on till the bitter end. He endured this life to give us the best, he put us first and himself behind.‌‌‌‌ His time to retire, to relax, his final chance to sit back and look on all things great he managed to achieve was taken from him. He may not have had the time to admire, the chance to behold what he had done, but I believe in his heart he knew he was done.‌‌‌‌ He was my rock, he was my support, although that is gone, he succeded in this, my principles are set, my foundations are strong, there is no more he could have done. I am the product of all his love, his lessons, his guidance and his morals. To hear his prayers to God to give his son a greater conscience. A means to guide me from wrong to right even in his absence.

Now that I am to become a dad. My biggest regret is that my little girl will never meet him and understand the wonder that he was. I envy my own life I had, and I fear I can not live up to be the dad that I had. Those are shoes I can never fill, but I can only carry them with me to remind me who I need to be.‌‌ For this is the dad I yearn to be.‌‌‌‌ There is never a time we want to say goodbye. We parted ways for a while, although to soon, its not goodbye but 'Till later then'‌‌ You will be missed and loved, till we meet again.‌‌