Page 14 - R.E.DEAN MEMORIAL BOOK

Dad & Boo

For a man of so many words I now find myself strangely silent
and empty, yet still overflowing boisterously with an abundance
of sights, sounds, lessons, teachings, prayers and songs, all now
perfectly painted as by you, my father’s hands on the canvas of
my memory. Dad from I knew myself you were there, being a
shining example of what a real father, husband and friend should
be. Not preaching or just teaching it but actually being the very
embodiment of God’s mandated priest of our home.

I can remember all the things we did together, how you would let me steer the car sitting on you
lap, our fishing trips when those big rocks were out Delaporte Point, our trips to Bimini, Miami
and US Church of God Conventions. Who could forget those disciplinary days and the privileged
honour of joy to be asked to go and select the belt of my choice !

You taught me to farm, roast corn, cut coconuts, fish, swim, the value of sportsmanship, draw,
sing, play music, the art of writing as you would ask me to write you stories, but most of all you
taught me respect, how to treat a lady, moral and ethical standards, the importance of worship,
how to strive for greatness and sound Christian principles. It’s so amazing it was so difficult
when you would wake us all up at 5m in the morning to pray as a family, yet for years now to
this very day I still automatically wake up at 4am….you planted that seed.
There was a time when I wondered why you wanted to share your love with so many. You would
have me write out all those choir songs out for you so when you teach it everything would be
perfect, for you delighted in all of your choirs, who were more than choir members but sons and
daughters.

Though you never neglected us, you somehow always found time and effort to be a father and
provider to so many others. Then as times past, I began to see the fruits of your unselfish
labour, as the once young men and ladies you cultivated and mentored began to bloom into
shing examples of model Christian Bahamians, displaying talents and abilities that you forged
from deep within them, that they not only shared locally but took that blessing to the world.
There is one thing you would always tell me, “Put God first, for with God there is nothing you
cannot do” You gave me a mini bible in 1976 when I was 8 years old which I still have. From the
night as a little child you lifted me up on that chair in the front of a full church congregation, put a
mic in my hand and told me to sing “Somebody told me about the joy they had” to the glory of
God, I knew I had to stand. Amidst all of my many awards, medals and trophies, that mini bible
far transcends all, for it gave me the keys to becoming the greatest champion of all, a Warrior
for Christ.
I watched as in spite of all of your great accomplishments, sacrifices, civic and social
contributions were many times overlooked, yet you pressed on. No monuments, no street
names, parks, schools or landmarks in your name, as some of the persons you taught,
sacrificed for and helped never looked back to even say thanks, yet you pressed on. No
disrespect but The Boy’s Industrial School should still have been named after you in your
honour, you were the catalyst that God placed there that brought the renaissance, that in turn
not only changed lives but touched hundreds of hearts forever, yet you pressed on. For you
would always say you are only a servant of God, His hands and voice on earth and you wanted
to do things out of love, knowing that your real reward was in heaven.

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