Weekly Photo Challenge: Unforgettable…
“Some memories are unforgettable, remaining ever vivid and heartwarming!” Joseph B. Wirthlin
Weekly Photo Challenge: Unforgettable – My Dad
I have to confess that the photo challenge for this week had the title: Gone, But Not Forgotten and I changed it. I wanted to use it, but all it reminded me of was funerals and the passing of my Dad. There are events and stories we hold dear to our hearts that are unforgettable, yet, they vary in degrees. I’ve loved and lost over my life time. Some losses were profound, like my Dad’s, and they continue to influence my world view. Some losses were sad, but I was able to move on with lingering memories of what I had once that was no longer around. Gone, but not forgotten is a phrase we see/hear at wakes, memorials, funerals and on headstones. They bring tears to our eyes and leave us feeling wistful and deeply saddened. I chose to use the word – unforgettable – in my title because it has a ring of joy and excitement; it includes events with people, places or experiences that were powerful, transforming and life-shifting. Such was my relationship with my Dad. My Dad, Chief Collins K.N. Obih, was a very generous philanthropist who taught us a lot about giving back, about education, and about love for family and self. (FYI, I used daguerreotype to create an aged look and the BW in the photo above).
“Family means no one gets left behind or forgotten.” David Ogden Stiers
Weekly Photo Challenge: Unforgettable- My Dad
Dad, affectionately known as Ochiagha, always worked super-hard, and we used to joke at home that we needed to schedule an appointment with his secretary to see him. He exposed all his children to the finer things in life and instilled in each of us a deep love for education, travel and connecting with people from different cultures. If it wasn’t for my Dad, I would never have attended international schools in the UK and the US, nor would I have developed a deep respect for the struggles of every day people. We all love our parents for different reasons and in different ways, but what I admired most about my dad wasn’t his business acumen, his Midas touch, or his grace under fire, it was his big, philanthropic heart. Years after his death, I still bump into people who share stories with me of how my dad intervened in a difficult situation; how he paid for their education; how he gave them guidance and words of wisdom; and how he wept deeply when their father/mother passed away. I knew my father well, but I didn’t know every story about his kindness.
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“Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever… it remembers little things, long after (you think) you have forgotten everything.” Aaron Siskind
Weekly Photo Challenge: Unforgettable – My Dad
My Dad came from farming stock and, when his Dad died at an early age, he was determined to do better. His mom, my grandma Dada, worked hard to pay for his education and he never forgot the gift of learning. He built a very successful career, and always made it an important point to help others and to give back to his community. I didn’t know of every struggle he endured in his life, but what I cherish was his willingness to help those down on their luck. His death was sudden, of a massive heart attack, and my biggest regret is that he didn’t live to see me graduate from Grad School, get married and have kids. He never met any of his grandchildren; but he left us with a huge legacy of service to carry forward. I loved and admired my father deeply and I will always miss him. I still hear his advice when I need to make important decisions. Whenever life’s challenges cross my doorstep, I see him in my dreams telling me in that rich, baritone voice – “Atụla ụjọ. jisi Ike. ọ ga di nma – Don’t be afraid. Be strong. All will be well.” I miss you Dad. Thank you for everything … for everything … for EVERYTHING. Gone, But not forgotten. Gone and Unforgettable.
My fellow bloggers were equally creative with their selections. Check out how others interpreted the theme below.
This post was inspired by a prompt from WP Daily Post: Weekly Photo Challenge: Gone, But Not Forgotten In today’s challenge, show us what “gone, but not forgotten” means to you. It could be a photo of a faithful canine friend who’s chasing squirrels in a better place, a spot in your city, town, or village that reminds you of a relationship now over, a talisman that reminds you of something that you can never get back, a photo of you in your smashing 70s silver lamé jumpsuit, or the crumbs that remain from the delicious cheesecake you baked.
Positive Motivation Tip: Those we hold dear in our hearts are always near to comfort us and make us smile… They may be gone but they are never forgotten. Keep the flame of love alive.
More Weekly Photo Challenge Posts
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos from my personal collection.
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
Beautiful.
A beautiful tribute to your dad. Sounds like he was a very special person who touched the lives of many.
“I still hear his advice when I need to make important decisions.” I experience this, too, with regards to my dad. What a great sadness that wonderful dads have to go.
A heartfelt and fitting tribute to your dad, it sounds like he was a unique person and an amazing dad to his children. He would be proud of the person you have become, and it’s because of him you are what you are as he obviously influenced your life deeply. He really is ‘unforgettable’, a much more fitting word for your dad.
Thank you for opening your heart and sharing him with us in this beautiful post.
Great post and I love that quote that by Denzel. The pictures came out great.
Thanks. It makes me smile to know that other people also have daddies that were wonderful lights in their lives. Mine died last December and the first year anniversary of that is coming up in 2 weeks. I’ve been in a funk. This did me good to read tonight.
Blessings to you… I know that feeling well. The first anniversary was the hardest. Be strong. {{HUGS}}
Great post. “Whenever life’s challenges cross my doorstep, I see him in my dreams telling me in that rich, baritone voice – “Atụla ụjọ. jisi Ike. ọ ga di nma – Don’t be afraid. Be strong. All will be well.” You have such precious memories about your Dad. This is absolutely wonderful the way you write about it. Thank you so much for sharing your memories and this beautiful photo of your Dad. Thank you! 🙂
Thank you so much for your kind words… appreciated.
Your Dad sounds like a more than special guy, and it is lovely that he has such a daughter to treasure his memory. Sorry I haven’t done your questions yet. I’ve got a little bogged down in life !
TY Peter! He was a great guy. Oh, I understand. Send it in when you can and we’ll take it from there. TY!
I love that you are keeping his memory alive. Your dad sounds like he was a great man.
He was… and I do miss his spirit. TY Robin.
Oh he sounds like an absolutely wonderful man and I can see his standards and spirit of giving through your words.
You are so kind Chris… TY for your patience. I need to take my own advice and follow up with blog friends.
It is always a pleasure to read you Eliz, which I have done for many years now – can you believe it is years?
This was such a nice tribute to your dad. I know that I miss my dad every day.
Your beautiful tribute to your dad mad me misty eyed Eliz. He certainly sounds like a remarkable and unforgettable person.
Thank you so much Madhu… makes me misty eyed at times.
Your dad was a handsome man Eliz. Where is your ancestral village?
It’s in Imo State, Umudike. Thank you Gilly!
Google says that’s about an hour from Aba? And an hour from my village Okohia, how amazing is that Sis?
Truly AMAZING! 🙂
What a moving tribute to your father. He is no doubt very proud. I see he meant a lot to you.
I know how you feel. I instantly thought of my grandparents the moment I read the challenge title.
I think you did a wonderful job. I love the title change. It sounds like you dad was a great man and great father.
What a sweet tribute to your Dad. It is always so hard to move forward when you lose a precious loved one like a parent.
Awwww I loved this post!!! Your dad sounds like he was an great person! My brother passed a few years back so I totally love the tip you used at the end!! They really will never be forgotten!!!
Thank you and sorry for your loss.
Great photo of your dad. I really like the B&W effect.
Beautiful post, thank you for sharing. We will never forget our fathers.
My brother was just killed in May so this post really speaks to me. As long as you have memories, then they are unforgettable.
So, so sorry Maggie. {{HUGS}}
Great photos! Very inspirational.
Sorry about your loss, I can not even imagine. Glad you remember what he talk you and keep him in your memories, great quote by Denzel
Thanks so much for sharing a part of your dad with us. We lost papa last year and I can’t even get past the thought still.
I love all the photo challenges you do. Unforgettable is such a great topic for a photo challenge. Your Dad was the perfect subject and he sounded like such a great man.
Great photos, and beautiful words from your father. Thanks for sharing.
I love this photo challenge and can think of a few “Gone, But Not Forgotten” mental images but unfortunately I don’t have physical (or even digital) photos. There is a place in particular I immediately thought of, It’s was a dumpy venue where my friends and I would go to see live music. The venue isn’t there anymore, it’s now replaced by a restaurant. Gone but those fun times are not forgotten!
I love that he introduced you to so many things. You make him sound wonderful, but still real. It’s a beautiful tribute.
This sounds like an awesome tribute to your father indeed. Sounds like he was a very proud special man. Thanks for sharing.,
What a wonderful tribute to your father. Great roll model.
What a great tribute to your father. He was a great role model.
Thank you for sharing such a heartfelt story and pictures of your Father. He seems like a very generous and passionate man, which is reflective not only in your writings on your blog but in this story.
This is a great photo challenge. Love the story of your father. That is awesome that you were able to attend international schools because of hm!
I love that you changed the title from Gone, But Not Forgotten to Unforgettable…that sounds so much better to me as well. I don’t like using the term ‘gone’ – it is much sadder to take in.
This is very special – a memory will always remain special and never forgotten.
What a beautiful post about your dad. I love the quotes as well, so true.
This was a great post and a great way to remember your dad. It sounds like he worked so hard to make sure you had a great life and he did a wonderful job of it while still letting you know you were loved. Thank you for sharing!
This post is such a great tribute to your dad! I can feel the love you poured into writing this post.