Dear Daddy,
It seems like I was born yesterday. Today, I am a big boy.
All my life, I’ve grown up surrounded by love from men who are not my fathers but who loved me as their own. These men, God put them before me to love me in your absence. But still, I love and miss you, Daddy.
Mummy says you’re busy and tells me that you will come by for us to ride bicycles. Every day I dream about that day, but I think it is not coming soon.
Sometimes I think you do not love me, but Mother says you do.
I want to know you more than the words my Mother tells me. I want to laugh at all the jokes you tell and feel your face.
I want to put on your shoes every day when you return home, just like I’ve been doing with mummy’s slippers.
Why did you leave us, Daddy? Don’t you miss me? Don’t you love me at all?
I am your, child, Daddy and I want to feel loved by you.
I want to talk to you about my first day at school, my friends. Oh, I vividly remember the day I pulled out my first tooth…oh, how I remember that day! It was not easy but mummy was here to help me overcome. She’s a good woman and she loves me with all her heart. She’s the best gift I have in this whole wide world.
I want to talk to you about the day I won a lot of good things because of dancing at church. I was happy; Aunty El was happy; even Grandmother was happy too.
Last week uncle bought me some ice cream and even took me to my swimming classes. He’s a very good uncle. Do you know that he has a cow? Yes, I take care of it when he’s not around. I feed it grass and give it water to drink as well. Uncle’s cow loves me.
I have been a good child to mummy. And I have been a good child to my grandmother. I love my grandmother so much because she cooks for me when mummy is not around. Grandmother used to carry me on her back as we sang along when I was still a little boy.
Daddy, do you know that I sing at church? I love my Sunday school church.
Auntie El said that one day God would bring you back to us. Was she right? I do not know but I pray for you to come back home.
I want to know you and learn a lot from you.
Yesterday I saw mummy smile after talking to someone and I thought it was you, but when I asked her, she said it was a call from her friend. I felt bad but I did not tell her. I went inside and prayed to God.
I know God is there and He will give me a miracle because of you.
I miss you, Daddy, and I pray that you come soon so that we can talk about all that we have missed in the past.
By the way, I do not know when you will receive my letter but when you do, please come by so that I can get to know you better.
I love you, Daddy.
Your son.
Tia
Read – Our Dear Earth – A Children’s Poem by Orlando Favour, Nigeria
