Good afternoon, household and associates.
At present, I stand merely as a daughter—grateful, humbled, and heartbroken to honor my father who except for his personal accomplishments was an awesome father to me.
My dad, Sylvester Mondubue Grigsby, Greg, was so many issues to so many individuals: a diplomat, a statesman, a trusted good friend, a proud Liberian. He would name me Mayumi G and I might name him Daddy G.
What could not shock you is that my father was a nerd – he would watch foolish exhibits with me after which give notes like we have been watching a documentary – we’d watch the television present Energy and he would say – the Russian gangsters wouldn’t do this. Even when he was sick, we’d watch recreation exhibits and a query got here on about obscure matters like Japanese historical past and he answered accurately.
On my birthday he gave me a present of earrings and a necklace with the Adinkra image, Gye Nyame— “Aside from God.” An emblem that teaches about religion, humility, the everlasting presence of the divine. My father lived his life with that very same consciousness: that irrespective of how excessive he rose, how revered he turned, he walked humbly, figuring out life has an influence larger than ourselves. And but, inside that humility, he carried a lot power, character, and dignity. At any time when issues acquired significantly aggravating in Liberia and I feared for him when he took on moral stances that didn’t make him widespread, he mentioned aside from God, solely God is aware of how this finish.
However to me, earlier than and above all else, he was simply my dad.
Once I lived in France and he was working grueling hours in Brussels, he would end his lengthy days, hop on a prepare, and are available all the best way to Paris—simply to take a seat with me, discuss with me, and assist me with my homework. That’s who he was. He may very well be in rooms with presidents and prime ministers, however he by no means forgot the significance of exhibiting up for his daughter. And for me, his time was the best reward.
I heard that he informed my mother, I inform folks my spouse and youngsters can deal with themselves so I deal with different folks. I believe he was confused as a result of we did want him however all we wished from him was his time. For me even with the entire modifications, leaving Liberia, being separated, he was all the time there and all I wished was his time and to listen to his snigger.
Even once I was grown, he by no means stopped being there. Once I was sick in Chicago, he got here to take care of me. He washed my dishes, he organized my home, he even cooked corned beef and rice for me. We might speak about every part—Sidney Poitier handed whereas he was there and I discovered that he was one in all his heroes. He informed me what it meant to see a Black man with dignity, with braveness, with presence. And in reality, my father carried those self same qualities himself.
He was sort. He was humorous. He was caring. And he was sincere—typically too sincere. If I complained about gaining weight, he would simply shrug and say, “Sure, and?”
He wasn’t nice at comforting tears, however his fact all the time carried its personal type of consolation. He cherished and revered my mom – he would all the time inform me to ask her about my garments and managing my funds. Even after we all lived aside, he would by no means go in opposition to one thing she mentioned.
He additionally formed who I turned. At some point once I was 6 he checked out me and declared, “You’re going to be a lawyer. “He informed me I might be a diplomat. I fought him on it, however—after all—he was proper. I labored in Liberia in diplomacy. I turned a lawyer. On the day of my regulation faculty commencement, he referred to as me and informed me it was time to go for my MBA. And I mentioned, Daddy, it will get to some extent. Even in his remaining days, he would remind me—half joking, half proud— “Watch your tone with the medical doctors. Your father is a diplomat! A world-renowned diplomat!” Then he would snigger, that unmistakable snigger filled with pleasure.
My mom cherished to inform the story of how he “stole me away to Liberia like a thief within the evening” once I went to work there however the fact is I simply wished to be near him. And once I was upset, he didn’t have time for me. He was so upset that I used to be upset that I needed to cease and consider him. That was my dad—filled with braveness, and filled with desires for his household. He was pleased with me as effectively.
I’ll always remember the best way he spoke about coming to Chicago on delegation, driving with a motorcade when then Mayor Daley shut down the freeway—after which telling folks about his daughter working at Metropolis Corridor, carrying ahead a legacy of service.
However I’ll additionally bear in mind the little issues. How he all the time carried money, even when nobody else did. How he tipped drivers in money and lit up their day. How he seen folks, revered folks, and carried himself with dignity—but in addition with humor and heat.
What I’ll miss most is the everydayness of him. Choosing up the telephone. Laughing collectively. Speaking about every part and nothing. He was my father, but in addition my good friend. My secure place. My instance of affection, power, and kindness. He would name and say he wished to be with me for my birthday and I might be there.
My father cherished his household—his daughters most of all. He cherished my mom. He cherished Liberia. He cherished folks.
And I cherished him—not simply as my father, however as the person he was.
When he was within the hospital, I wrote him a letter, which I’ll learn now –
Expensive Daddy: You have been an awesome father, all the time. You handled trauma and expectations and also you tried and all the time, and infrequently succeeded in, exhibiting up even on the final minute. You really liked me and I want I may have taken the burden off of you or eased your burden. Thanks for doing my homework with me. Thanks for serving to me transfer into an residence with 5 flights of stairs and I lived on the fifth ground.
Thanks for all the time believing in me.
Thanks for a rare journey. I’m going to write down that guide. I’d even get that MBA. I’ll dwell and I’ll honor you. I really like you. You’re irreplaceable. Thanks for every part.
I don’t know should you’re in there. I don’t know the place you might be. However I do know if there may be any piece of you that loves me 100%, and all of me loves you.
Love,
Moosh / Mayumi G
Daddy, I’ll carry your classes, your laughter, and your love all the time. Just like the that means of Gye Nyame, which teaches us that God’s presence is everlasting, I consider so is yours. Although I can now not sit and discuss with you, I do know your spirit won’t ever go away me. And each time somebody appears to be like at me and says, “That’s Grigsby’s daughter,” I’ll stand
proud.
Perpetually proud to be your daughter.
Thanks.
