June 16th every year will keep reminding me as the day that ended the most memorable one-year of my life I spent in the US. If on one hand, that date ended my journey in the US, then on the other hand, unbeknownst to me, would usher me into various journeys.
This year June the Father’s Day also falls on June 16th which takes me into the memories of my late father. He cherished each and every achievement of mine, he would always take great pride of me owing to my accomplishments which I owe to him and my mother. I still remember my Humphrey Fellowship interview, when he took me to church and he prayed alongside me on the altar. During all my selection process of Humphrey Fellowship, my father did all of the required work so vehemently with me taking from passport documentation to the last step of medical.
Being the youngest of all siblings, though my father was extremely proud and happy that I would be the second family member to visit the US and see my brother, yet, he was very much worried too, as it was my first international trip. I remember him telling me: don’t talk to anyone on airport, if someone gives you anything, say no, don’t leave your stuff alone and much more. This all he kept telling me during my one year stay in the US during the domestic flights. The one call, that was not even in my thoughts during travelling inside the US but would come was of my father. It was just for once that I had to tell him:” Abu jee,” I used to say,” I would fly at this time.” He never missed any of my flights without asking the flight timings and repeated instructions.
One of the mourners at his death came and told me that my father had a different shine in his eyes when he was telling them about me being in the States. My father had different vigor to live life despite all the hardships he had to face since youth. He lived his life in deprivation of the home owned by his mother occupied by tenant and the second home which was of his grand mother was occupied by his first cousins. But, he never whined or was unthankful to God of what he had to go through in life. I just have a wish to see someone more patient and happy than my father. He had a laugh that brought giggles to the little children who just looking at his face, started to smile and attracted to him. My mentor, Brian always appreciated my father’s laughter.
Last June 16th before I was to take off, my father called me many times about flight timings. I just had a lay over at Manchester Airport of 6-hours which extended to 13 hours. I was satisfied that my father already knew about it.
My father played a pivotal role in myself continuation in the field of broadcast journalism. He was the one who encouraged me to make my first report inside Jamia Hafsa. He always shouted watching me on screen. He was also the reason of my resumption with Geo after coming from the US. That is why after his death, so much changed and I had to change as well from Geo.
This time I am not going to buy perfume which I would buy on every father’s day. There were so many things I couldn’t tell him on face when he was alive and I have regrets. One of them is he was a great man who had forgiveness for everyone around inflicted pain on him.
He will not come back but what he has left behind is still a blessing for me and my family. His encouragement still comforts me when I am distressed.
Lubna Thomas Benjamin 