Albert Bailey

For many, Easter represents the resurrection. A rebirth. A fresh start.

For me it has a double meaning. It's a rebirth and an ending. Easter was the day that I was awaken, by the voice of my stepmother, whom i was visiting telling me that my Papa had died. My Pops was gone and I was 700 miles away from all that I loved. My Nana, mother, brother and sister. Years later I can still feel that pain of losing my rock, my ace, my teacher, my mentor, my friend, my Papa.

My last words to him was, "I'll see you when I get back and we can do lunch" he responded Don't worry about me I'll be home when you get back. But he wasn't. He wasn't alright. He left me 2 days later.

It has been a true life journey of resurrection for me since that fateful morning. I have struggled, I have achieved, I have excelled and I have failed. But one thing that is a constant is that I have tried to be the man, my Papa would want me to be.

There are times when I know he would be disappointed, there are times where I know he would be proud. But all in all, he would be satisfied. If I know my Papa, like I know my Papa he would say good job Damon, know can you go to Wendy's for me. That man saved my life. He taught me how to be a man, a father and a husband by watching him love and respect every man. He taught me everything my father didn't, couldn't and didn't want to. Thanks to my Papa I was not a fatherless son.

I haven't had the words, desire or the ability to write about my Papa since he died. Time is a lie, it heals no wounds, it numbs no pain. When I close my eyes it' s there. Every breath reminds me to teach my boys to be the image of him.

So for me Easter is a glimpse of life. Life is a series of events. Some good and some bad. But everyday is a day that we can start new. We can leave the drama in the past. We can leave the yesterdays alone. We don't have to carry all that mess that we carry. We don't.

So this Easter as every Easter until the day I see you again Papa. I want to say thank you, I want to say I love you more than you will every know. That I miss you beyond words. That I am trying to be the Damon you wanted me to be. That I need you to still guide me in my dreams. That I need you to protect me. That I will do my best and never give up. That I will share you legacy, share our stories and make sure everyone knows I was raised by one of the greatest men EVER..

Stay rested Papa