Dad Passes Away and a 2021 Summary RIP - Professor John Robert Okalebo 20th July 1940 – 21st December 2021
Abstract
2nd Timothy 4: 7
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith
James 2: 14 – 18
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. …
This year has been tough especially the last quarter of 2021. I had an accident and I am still recovering steadily from a post knee operation. This was all eclipsed by the demise of my father who was a hero and legend to myself and entire family. He passed away on the 21st December 2021. May his Soul rest in Peace.
Summary of 2021 Globally in 3 key areas
- COVID Pandemic
This pandemic and it’s overall management has exposed leadership and management in all sectors. It’s a rabbit hole whose genesis and subsequent consequences will reverberate around the globe for a long time. How you and your loved ones respond to it will boil down to individual choices and action.
- US Election 2020 and its after effects
I have nothing to say. Once again leadership, honesty and integrity, key values were put to the test. The effects are been felt all over the world. We cannot escape the consequences of lack of integrity and honesty.
- Sports: 2020 Olympics/Euro 2020
A ray of sunshine in an otherwise dismal year. Where corruption had limited influence, we once more enjoyed sports events. True sportsmanship brings out the best in we human beings.
My Dad in Brief
He was the epitome of resilience, a truly gentle and loving soul, he was excellence and dignity personified. Even in his last years as he battled with the debilitating effects of diabetes and kidney failure he never stopped giving his best.
My Sister Jane summarized his key attributes below I could not have done it better:
Prof. John Robert Okalebo lived to bless each person that he could. He was a humble and kind gentleman.
Dad loved his grandchildren especially. He always started a conversation with the key words: “How are the children?”
He ended the conversation with: “Please greet the children for me.”
He genuinely loved his grandchildren and his hands were always stretched out to share his resources. He was a very hardworking and kind-hearted man like you all know.
Dad taught us all the following principles and I hope his teachings may guide and bless your lives too.
- Make your prayers simple and short. Dad always chose to pray “Our Father, who art in Heaven….” His prayers were short. An example of one of his short prayers was: “God forgive us, for we are miserable sinners”.
- Educate your children. Share opportunities for everyone to learn, grow and develop.
- Use money wisely and budget your money so that you meet the needs of your family in both good and hard times.
- Help strangers because you never know when they will in turn meet your needs. Give people hope and be a blessing to others.
- The stranger that you help will one day in the future help you more than your blood relative.
- You don’t have to have every limb (hand or leg) of your body to excel in life. What you need is a good heart, focus and purpose.
- Forgive and forget. Free your mind. There are more important projects and work to be done.
- Listen to people and sympathize with them. If you can help them, do so willingly.
It is not enough to wish someone well and tell them that you will pray for them. Help them carry their burden by giving them hope through employment, some money and/or an education.
- You cannot choose your relatives or family but you can choose your friends. Choose your friends wisely.
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