Daddy


Daddy, gone but still always near


Original artwork and poem in remembrance of my beloved father Osmond Avelino Gonsalves (1920-1994) by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2025

Daddy, I still recall what I was doing that day
When they called to say, you had passed away
A wretched emptiness tormented me at first
My heart was pounding so hard I thought it’d burst
But before long my sorrow turned to pure joy
Knowing you’re always there with me, your boy
When I am uncertain about what I ought to do
I oft find the answer in what I learned from you
You said even if no one’s watching, do your best 
And how one treats the poor tells more than the rest 
A person’s name is precious to each one (learn it)
One cannot simply demand respect (you earn it)
If I don’t have anything good to say, I should be quiet 
Discussing religion or politics at work can cause a riot
Oh those heart-to-heart talks we had late into the night 
You did real swell, Daddy. Hope my kids say I did alright


 

Comments

Kieran said…
You made me cry.

Yes the call was sad and the turmoil was personal. (Avery dear friend on WhatsApp)
June 16, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Kieran said…
Thank you, Khalid,

Soon after the initial shock, I remember driving alone one Sunday morning listening to the radio when I heard the song called ‘In the living years’ by Mike and The Mechanics

https://youtu.be/5hr64MxYpgk

It struck a deep chord but I realized I had always told him that I love him even when he was alive

Then my tears of sorrow, turned into tears of joy
June 16, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Anonymous said…
Thanks for sharing, Kieran - brought a lump to my throat and moisture to my eye… (A childhood friend on WhatsApp)
June 16, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Kieran said…
Thank you my dear friend. What a grace to feel the presence of one’s parents. So comforting. Glad it resonated with you, Kcho. See you soon - Kieran
June 16, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Anonymous said…
Kieran, you are truly gifted. You amaze me continually. Such a touching poem. I remember your dad. Always quiet, in the background. Your mum shone. (A dear friend fom my hometown on WhatsApp)
June 16, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Kieran said…
Thank you, Rozie. Yes, Daddy was the strong silent type who complimented my mother very well. He taught me that if someone is doing right then they don’t need to make a big deal of it. Stay blessed. - Kieran
June 16, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Anonymous said…
Good art and good poetry, Kieran! Your Dad is surely justly proud of you! (My dearest spiritual guide and mentor Fr Cyril Desbruslais sj on WhatsApp)
June 16, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Kieran said…
Thank you dearest Fr Cyril. You have been a close family friend for over 50 years. And I am eternally grateful for that. God bless you - Kieran
June 16, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Anonymous said…
One can never repay your parents.
The only way to even attempt is to take care of one’s own kids and guide them the way your parents would have wished. 🙏 (A member of my alumni group on WhatsApp)
June 16, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Kieran said…
Amen.

Thanks all, clearly it resonated with many of you

This was my belated Father’s Day remembrance inspired by a prayer card I received

Stay blessed y’all. Know that you are truly loved - Kieran
June 16, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Anonymous said…
Kiean, written from the heart and so true ! Daddy will be smiling down on you ( and all of us ). Love you my dearest brother for vocalising what we all feel. (My dearest sister on the family WhatsApp group)
June 16, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Kieran said…
Thanks Rohini. One for all, all for one
Dad did his thing quietly but the life lessons stayed to this day
Much love,
Kieran
June 16, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Anonymous said…
I have seen him when I used to visit your place during 1978-79, our one year at CWIT. May his soul rest in eternal peace in the Lord...🙏🌹🌹🌹Is it his death anniversary today? (Adear classmate from Cusrow Wadia Institute of Technology on WhatsApp)
June 16, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Kieran said…
No, Joe, just a belated Father’s Day greeting inspired by a prayer card I received yesterday - Kieran
June 16, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Anonymous said…
[I] Remember him. A quiet person. (A family friend frommy hometown Poona on WhatsApp)
June 16, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Kieran said…
Yes he was. I learned from him that if you do the right thing for the right reasons, there is no need to beat the drum.
God bless - Kieran
June 16, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Anonymous said…
A superb poem, Kieran, that touches the heart, fills it with joy, a love well loved, an acknowledgement of a teacher's job well done...what more can a parent do, but show the path ahead, where his children see the right path to tread. (An artistic friend on WhatsApp who had recently published a tribute to his father at https://www.facebook.com/groups/memoriesofpoona/permalink/1213340413402868/?app=fbl)
June 16, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Kieran said…
Ajay, I too loved your straight-from-the-heart tribute to your Dad. Clearly we share an very important treasure. God bless
June 16, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Anonymous said…
Thank you, Kieran...yes, I agree that we were fortunate... (Reply by Ajay to above comment)
June 16, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Kieran said…
Amen to that, Ajay - Kieran
June 16, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Anonymous said…
Lovely tribute! (A noted author and friend on WhatsApp)
June 16, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Kieran said…
Thanks, Tino de Sa, coming from an accomplished littérateur like you, means a lot to me. God bless - Kieran
June 16, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Anonymous said…
Good words with deep feelings, (A long time friend from Calgary on WhatsApp)
June 16, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Kieran said…
Thank you Aunty Beryl. Always wanted to pay my respects to Daddy. I was so glad we had a deep friendship that didn’t diminish in in his passing away
God bless. - Kieran
June 16, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Anonymous said…
Well drawn and composed. As always true from the heart (My eldest sister on the Family WhatsApp group)
June 16, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Kieran said…
I was truly blessed to be the last to leave home, so the speak. The years from 1980-83 and intermittently from 1983-87 when I came often on holidays and lastly from 1987-89 were peppered with innumerable walks and late night talks with Daddy. His intellect was sharp and thoughts very lucid. The time we spent was very special. He was, all said and done very happy with life. - Kieran
June 16, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Anonymous said…
I’m sure you did . I can testify to that .A poem from the heart . (My father’s cousin who is a close friend of mine, on WhatsApp)
June 16, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Kieran said…
Thank you dearest Omega. You knew my Dad so well and now we are good friends too - Kieran
June 16, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Anonymous said…
Beautiful eulogy to your Dad. He must be smiling from above 🙏 (A childhood friend from my hometown Poona, on WhatsApp)
June 16, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Kieran said…
Thanks Roy. I knew your Dad to be a very upright man. I’m sure you too draw strength and inspiration from him. God bless - Kieran
June 16, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Anonymous said…
Wonderful tribute to your Father 👏👏👏 (A dear friend on WhatsApp)
June 16, 2025 at 6:45 PM
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