Today is Father’s Day – the day when people around the world sit back and think of the role their fathers played in their lives besides fathering them. Today I think of my father, too.

Two years ago he retired from this world. He was a man to reckon with. He beat all odds to reach his goals.

He was a man who never wavered from his goal though unfortunately he finally succumbed to illness. He had dreams and one by one he achieved them. Even at the time of his death, he was still working on those that were yet to come to pass.

My father loved me and I knew it. I was a very active child and always got into trouble with my siblings. He was the only one who understood me. I remember getting in trouble and alwaysrunning towards him with a  bunch of kids after me. They would all stop in their tracks when they found me either on his lap or standing by his side. I actually don’t recall him spanking me.

My memories of my father run as far back as when I was three. We lived in a place called Namutamba in Uganda. There was a playground bordered by eucalyptus trees. I remember going for walks in these tress with him carrying a stick to scare the rats away. He would carry me on his shoulders when I got tired.

Our home was a home for all. I don’t remember sitting on the table with just my father, mother and siblings.

We always had relatives and friends around. It was the order of the day. I believe none of us ever thought it out of ordinary. It was just the way things were. I have cousins I was so close too while growing up that when we meet the memories of ‘My father loved me and I knew it.

I was a very active child and always got into trouble with my siblings. He was the only one who understood me.

Memories of my father father’s day our childhood just flow back. I remember the day before my wedding vividly. Our house was so full of people I had no place to sleep. He insisted I join him and my mother on their bed. It meant so much to me. It was a proper transition for me from childhood to adulthood.

When my children were older, my father sat them down and would have serious discussions with them – about religion, new-age thinking and all sorts of topics.

He once had a deep conversation with my son about homosexuality and to date I can’t forget that look on my son’s face. Talk of straight talk. My son was just 7 years old at that time!

Watching my father getting older and beginning to lose his sight and hearing was quite hard for me. He loved talking and sharing his ideals and beliefs with others. After he passed away, I and my family were overwhelmed with messages from people around the world who had been touched by his life.

At his funeral the crowds of people that arrived to pay their respects spoke of the blessing that he was to so many. I will never forget my father and I know that his legacy will live on in the hearts of his students, his friends and his family.