My presence here may be diminished over the next few days, though I will try to pop in and get some writing done, if for nothing more than therapeutic purposes. Today, my dad lost his battle with a host of illnesses, including high blood pressure and diabetes, as well as a series of debilitating strokes. Today, my brother and I lost our dear father; our mother, her one true love.

Dad peacefully embarked on the next leg of his journey this morning, just a few hours after I last kissed him and touched his warm forehead. It saddens me that I was not with him when he took his leave, but perhaps he wanted to spare me that. And that is kind of cool. It was his way, you see: Dad was a proud, stubborn, fiercely independent person, and that is how he made his exit. I am so proud to be his daughter and to see his face when peering into the mirror. I will treasure many wonderful memories of him and will always hold him in my heart. But I doubt i'll ever get over this unbearable ache in my soul...

The good news: Dad is free. He did not have an easy life, by any imagination's stretch. For years he fought against injustice, against bigotry. Often he found doors slammed in his face and often he felt righteous anger and deep despair. But he never bowed. Never caved in. Never gave up. And remained proud. And I am so proud of him, so proud to be his daughter. Thank God I had the opportunity to spend most of this summer at his side and was able to make him laugh and to tell him exactly how much he means to me and to my children, whom he adored.

My father and I shared many things, including a passion for reggae music and Bob Marley, whom he saw perform back in the 1970s. For Dad, Marley's "Duppy Conqueror" seems a fitting tribute and sendoff:

Yes, me friend,
We deh a street again.
Yes, me friend, me good friend,
Dem say we free again.

The bars could not hold me;
Force could not control me now.
They try to keep me down, yeah!
But Jah put I around.

Yes, I've been accused
And wrongly abused, now.
But through the powers of the Most-I,
They've got to turn me loose.

Don't try to cold me up, oh yes, praise Jah.
I've got to reach Mount Zion -
The highest region.
So if you a bull-bucka,
Let me tell you this -
I'm a duppy conqueror - conqueror!

Yes, me friend, me good friend,
We deh a street again.
Yes, me friend, me good friend,
Dem say we free again.

Thanks and love to all who sent well wishes and prayers during his illness.

Rest in peace, sweet Daddy. I love you and thank you.