To dear nana ajoba
In loving memory of my dear Nana, who peacefully departed from us this morning. Although circumstances prevent me from being there in person for his final moments, I find solace in expressing my feelings and paying tribute to him through these words. In the last few years, as Nana lost his hearing, our direct communication dwindled. Regrettably, I had contemplated writing to him earlier, but life's demands always seemed to take precedence. Today, in the midst of my solitude, I wish to overcome the grief by immortalizing the impact he had on my life. Nana held a profound influence in the initial 18 years of my life. In my early childhood, his home served as a haven—a place where uninterrupted play, affection from maternal aunts, experiencing the joy of small things and relief from the everyday grind coalesced. It became more than a physical space; it evolved into a sanctuary where I felt both loved, secure and free. As I grew older, Nana transformed into my teacher. From guiding me