A Letter To My Father I Call Gestish, Happy Father's Day! Poem by Emu Getachew

Growing up, I remember the many fights and positioning that took place in our household. However, those altercations and challenges are the cement that helped build the pillars of my life today. Somehow through our difficulties, we both came to see that we were very much alike. Free spirited, creative, life’s biggest cheerleaders and risk takers. In my teens, I thought you were crazy and needed some serious medical intervention. Then in my twenties, I came to meet a different father who believed in me more so than myself. Of course, I felt you were losing your toughness and I did not know how to deal with your softness.

Then came your health scare and I remember going to the Chapel in the hospital. Though I was there to pray; I couldn’t pray or even ask for anything. Instead, I sat there and thought about the many missed opportunities and vowed to work harder if you were to make it. However difficult, abate, you showed us the face of courage, possibilities, positivity, class and humility. Then in my thirties we all experienced life’s biggest blow, a loss of child/sibling. I remember then, I was lost again because I wanted to see that strong, disciplined, emotionally frugal father of mine. Instead, I saw a man in pain, defeated and a man on his knee. I remember we were all lost.

Now in my forties, you became more human. What I did not see then was that you were just like me but with a lot more birthdays and a different hair color. Today, I know better. Getisheye, know with certainty that I use your life’s canvas as my life’s foundation. I live with less fear and child like personality just like you. Because of you, my life’s canvas is painted with kindness, humility, loyalty, hard work, friendship, laughter, care, endurance and perseverance. Today, our relationship is colorful and fluid.

Thank you Getisheye for all that you’ve taught us. Through your health scare, I have come to view life as a gift. Through our loss you taught me to celebrate small victories. Through your commitment to excellence; I have come to demand nothing less. Thanks for the sewing classes though I hated it then who knew but you; today, I love nothing more than creating my own outfit. Thanks for my typing class. However, I still use four fingers to type. Thanks for trusting me with my decisions even though you don’t always agree with them. Thanks for the freedom to make them regardless of their outcome. Thank you for my voice! You are truly my language and my country.