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I remember when we both slept inside a kiosk (a small wooden structure) behind Hong Kong Cinema in Nyamekye. The only things we had were one woven basket, one big silver bowl that we used for washing and cooking, one bucket, and a few spoons. I never ironed my uniform when going to school. The day one woman ironed my uniform, I made sure I wore it for a whole week because after washing it, there was no iron available.The interesting part is that I didn't lack anything. Every time I went to school, I was the only person who carried plenty of money. During break time, I made sure my friends' food bills were on me. On our special days, everyone would bring food to school; there was no one to cook for me, so my dad usually gave me money, and even that depended on my grades. I always ended up being the one buying some of my friends' food and drinks.Every time we went to town and he saw those begging for money, my dad would give me some money to change and share with all the beggars—a cripple giving another cripple money! Every time he closed from work and headed home, he would make sure to buy toffees and biscuits to give to all the kids in the neighborhood. He had his favorites; the ones he liked were like his bodyguards—they'd pave the way for him because the other kids might push him aside. For them, he often gave popcorn along with drinks and money.Some people neglected him; some warned their children to stay away because they didn't understand how a cripple could be doing all this. Every weekend, my dad would call all the kids in the neighborhood and cook together with them. Because of this, the owner of the place warned us several times until one night, after it had finished raining, this man threw us out—leaving us with nowhere to go. At that time, I was carrying the woven basket, my school bag, plus one or two other things. One waakye seller accommodated us at Official Town. That place too—if my dad closed from work—he'd buy biscuits and drinks then share them with all the kids. However, the waakye seller eventually sacked us because if the kids followed him home, they would just come and make a lot of noise.Now with nowhere to go, our only option was our family house. I started a new school, and he made sure my school fees were paid on time. There has never been a time I've been sacked from school for owing fees.I remember when he took me to the airport for the first time in 1999 to see Queen Elizabeth when she came to Ghana. He also took me to the zoo and Osu Castle. And oh, he makes better deals! When he wanted to move me from private school to government school, I said no way! He was like "No problem." The next morning, as he was dressing me for school, he said he'd give me three times what he'd been giving me if I started schooling in government school.By then, my cousins had moved from the same private school to a government school, so I thought this deal was better than Ronaldo moving to Al Nassr! My dad told me to think about it. The funny thing is that I met my current friends at that same government school.Every time I hear people speak badly about their fathers, I just can't relate. I ask myself: Is it too hard? We had nothing but I didn't lack anything. So I just can't understand why some choose to be deadbeat fathers.Happy Father's Day, Daddy! May you continue to live long. All my life, I have only one wish: that is to see you walk. I don't know if that will ever be a dream come true, but who knows? And oh, he has lots of clothes he wants to give away but most people reject them because of his situation. So if you're interested, you can hit me up. 8964 copyright protection8ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MFj4EGJIY 維尼

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