Tribute to my Daddy - Dr. Andrew Kosia

Younger years of  Dr. Andrew Kosia, check out the fro!  Sierra Leone-1970's

 Four years ago, on July 28, 2011, I lost my beloved father and mentor, a family man, a dedicated doctor, a diligent public health servant, a patriotic Sierra Leonean, a proud African, a global citizen and a beautiful human. To many he was Dr. Andrew Kosia, the hardworking, well respected, kind professional but to me he was simply daddy. The gentle, loving but no nonsense dad who wanted the best for his children and worked hard to make every opportunity available to them. The dad who would crack jokes with his children, chit chat with them,  encourage  them  to express their  view points and critic his on subjects ranging from politics, football, fashion or whatever the discussion was about. Yet, when I or any of his children got out of line and slacked on our school work he didn’t hesitate to correct and discipline us followed by a nice gesture to make sure we knew it was coming from a place of love. He was one who believed in the power of education, the duty of giving back and the rewards of hard work. That was the dad I was blessed to have for 22 years of my life, one I would forever be grateful and proud to be called his daughter.

The irreplaceable father- daughter bond

Every year on this day, I write a note to my dad giving him updates about my life. This has been a therapeutic outlet that has helped with my grieving and one I hope to continue for as long time I can. I have decided to share this year’s note and previous notes on the blog.  I am dedicating this blog to the memory of my father and all my readers out there who have lost a father.  May their souls rest in peace.

July 28, 2015

Last photograph with my daddy in Sierra Leone, January 2011

Hello daddy, 

 I woke up this morning and the first thing I did was go through old pictures of you. I can still remember the last picture we took together at Augustine’s wedding in January 2011.  You were teasing me and telling me I could only red drink wine which you were sipping on and claiming was good for your health, when I turn 25 and have completed my degrees. Well guess what? I am over 25 and as of a month ago, completed my second degree. Yes, your youngest daughter now has a Master of Public Health degree just like her daddy. The graduation ceremony was a bitter, sweet event in the absence of the person who influence of my career choice, goals and aspirations, nonetheless I know you would have been proud of your ‘Mama Baindu'. So on that day, I celebrated with a bottle of red wine and toasted to us both.  I didn’t become a medical doctor like you always hoped for but I  intend on perusing a PhD and becoming the third Dr. Kosia in the family. Angela remains the family’s medical doctor for now, who knows maybe one of your grandchildren will follow in her footsteps.

I am currently looking for a public health job and intent to go back to Sierra Leone and hopefully get to work in the same area of public health as you did. I must say, you raised the bar really high, everyone I have spoken to that knew you, have nothing but good things to say about your work ethics, efficiency and tenacity. So I guess I have to live up to your  standard because if there is anything you made clear to your children especially  your three girls it was the fact that women can do anything just as good or even better than men.

I really do miss you daddy and want you to know that the family hasn’t been the same since you left. You were the glue that kept us together, yet despite the loss of your physical absence I know that God has assigned you as an angel to watch over us, which explains why things haven’t totally fallen apart and  why me, Angela, Christina and Junior are doing good despite the odds. Continue to rest in peace. Love you always.

My birthday celebration with the family in Eritrea-  October 2005

July 28, 2014

Daddy's doppleganger ( ar fiba me papa bad bad wan)  D R Congo- July 2010

Daddy it has been three years since you left us. The hardest part about losing you is dealing with the void and emptiness your departure created in my heart and life. They say time heals everything but no amount of time can erase the effects of your departure because in my heart you hold a place that can never be filled. I am reminded of you every day I look at myself in the mirror and see more of you in me with each passing day. Similar face, similar smile, similar laughter, same passion for reproductive health of females, similar demeanor and way of talking. I am proudly and undeniably my daddy’s daughter.
Love and miss you so much.

July 28, 2013

Daddy's hilarious but empowering toast to me on my 17th birthday. Eritrea 2005

Daddy, I cannot believe two years has gone by since you left us. Words cannot describe how much I miss you and wish you were here with us. Things have been tough without you and I won’t lie there are days when I wanted to give up but then I think about what you would have wanted for me and that keeps me going. Wish we had spent more time more together because now more than ever I need your advice wise counsel and that love only a father can give. Nonetheless I know you are up there looking out for me in every situation.
I am now in graduate school daddy, getting an MPH degree just like you (sorry I didn’t go to medical school like you wanted), and hopefully I will end up working for the same organization you did. You are, and will always be my role model. Can’t believe I am saying this but I really do miss our silly arguments and you scolding me about not setting my priorities right, now I fully realize the importance of it. Most of all I miss our little gossips and the laughs we had from them.

MISS YOU SO MUCH! Rest in Peace Daddy. Love you always

Cracking us up with jokes as usual, don't know where he got the walkie talkie from