To My Father on Fathers' Day | Celebrating Dad at 75

Dear Dad,

“THANK YOU”

Although those are only two words, I want you to know that there are paragraphs with much more sentences behind them. Let me confess before I even start that words are not enough to express my gratitude to God for giving my siblings and I the sort of model you are of who a real Father should be.

First of all, thank you for marrying mum. You both modeled for my siblings and I, what a home should look like. The very air and atmosphere we grew up under was that of peace, love and harmony. I never heard you and mum arguing or fighting. I cherish the memories of you both eating at the dining table and chatting away about events that took place during the day. Thank you for loving mum and us all so much. 

I learnt that a father who’s deeply involved with his children, experiences beneficial health results. I’m sure this is one of the many reasons I don’t have a memory of you hospitalized on account of any ailment. You are as young and vibrant at Seventy Five years as you were many years ago. I also learnt that a father being present at his child’s birth, protected against birth complications and further illness or trauma in the newborn. Little wonder I had to call Mum Ope some time ago to ask her “please have I ever been admitted in the hospital?” and she couldn’t remember also. Thank you for being such a blessing to us all.

We want to thank you for our education. From day one in school till I graduated, we were never sent home for owing school fees. You placed such a high premium on our education that we never lacked ample resources for our education. You and mum made huge sacrifices for us just so we go to the best of schools. It’s no surprise that you are a Professor today because you’ve always valued knowledge and have been an addicted and voracious reader. I’m not sure which one is more likely to happen; that there will be Christmas this year or that you’ll buy another book shelf before the year runs out. Thank you for being such an inspiration in this area.

We want to thank you for a few of the many values and virtues that we have seen you radiate from our years of knowing you as our father. One that stands tall amongst them is your Life of Prayer and Fasting. You apparently didn’t need to tell us too much about God because you’ve spent hours upon hours telling God about us. It’s easy to relate to our Heavenly Father because we see in you a father that truly loves and cares for his own. Amongst many, one instance that sticks to my memory was the day I was sent home from Secondary School because a pen had pierced my gum. I remember you calmly told my Aunty that you had been shown the day before, the initial intention of the enemy which was to have the pen pierce my oesophagus but while praying about it, my throat was shielded and thus the pen was deflected to the gum. Thank you for being a true Priest in our home. You would anoint us, pray for us and give us scriptures to pray with often. You shield us in prayers and our lives are the better for it.

You are an epitome of Humility and Respect for others. Like Mum Ope said during the Thanksgiving Service today, you are “Humble to a fault”. Then there’s also your Integrity and Good Name. I recall a testimony from Elder Atoyebi of when you were given some money to keep and when after a long while the money was requested, it was not just intact in amount but in denomination so much so that the notes had begun to stick together attesting to the fact that they were never touched. Not only are you disciplined concerning money but also with women. Mum testified herself that she never had to question you about any woman. This adds to the many things that give you a good name. My siblings and I are accustomed to the fact that when we hear the question “are you the son of Ade Martins?” it’s an indication that favour is about to come our way. Thank you for building such a strong legacy of Discipline and Order. May you indeed become an institution to reckon with.

Your life of Care and Hospitality is also another quality of noteworthy mention. It’s no surprise to us that we as your children have never been stranded in another land because you’ve been hospitable to many people and have housed, clothed and fed even much more. Your Dedication to duty and Loyalty to your call is simply amazing. You are indeed a man of Purpose and Vision.

You are also tender in your Guidance in that you never pressured anyone of us to study a particular course but would rather instruct us and make us aware of our areas of strength and gifting. Speaking of gifts, we are into music today because you created the enabling environment. Besides sending us to music schools, hardly was there a day without good music playing in the house.

Like I said at the beginning, this note cannot be an exhaustive list seeing that there are more virtues than can be enumerated. It is our heart’s desire that not only will you live long; you will also live to see the fruits of your labor. Your great grand children will get to see and know you. As your days are, so will your strength be.

God Bless you Daddy!

Reverend Professor Titus Ade Martins

We love you.

For: Honored and Blessed members of your Mishpocha,

-'Bayor