Daddy Chronicles began very organically, as periodic Facebook posts, sharing the highlight of my days with my daddy, with others, as people often do on social media. It was also a way for me to socialize and humanize my father, a man who was by all accounts introverted, anti-social, and outwardly unapproachable. However, one encounter with him, and many would be surprised by his natural humor mixed with his uncensored candor.

To my surprise, Daddy Chronicles became a much needed balm for those who’d lost their father, a moment of reflection for those who weren’t in communication with their father or their children, and a deep belly laugh for everyone who read them. People began asking for them and inquiring about my daddy, outside of Daddy Chronicles. I received regular inbox messages asking how my daddy was doing, simply because I hadn’t posted him in a while and his “fans” wanted to know that he was well.

Over the years, readers suggested that I compile Daddy Chronicles into a book or some formal publication. Though I was flattered for my dad, I didn’t see them that way. To me, Daddy Chronicles were just regular, everyday life with my dad. They weren’t anything to write home about, per se. However, when my daddy’s health began to decline, I started to appreciate Daddy Chronicles so much more. Ironically, because caring for my dad required so much extra time, documenting our time together declined as well. The hilarious memories didn’t waiver, but the energy it took to record them did. As we got closer to what some would call the end, but what I know as a transition to his next assignment, a strong desire to officially document Daddy Chronicles consumed me. I thought of doing so everyday, the last couple of months my dad was earthside. And so here we are, daddy and I, making history by sharing pieces of our story. I want everyone to know him as more than the man the world convicted him to often present himself as, because he was so much more. He was charismatic, strong, resilient, jovial, disciplined, generous, and overly-protective. 

He had a thing with endings. He didn’t like them, so he never ended conversations. More often than not, he just hung up the phone [CLICK]. I would jokingly call him rude and ill-mannered because of it. Recently, my dear friend Joy randomly texted me another perspective that I never considered. Her text read, “I fooled with Willie and his shenanigans. I remember the first time you three-way called him while I was on the phone. We were laughing that he didn’t say goodbye. He just hung up. Maybe he was onto something. There are no goodbyes. People just stay with you.” The truth of her framing touched me deeply, and I’ve since adopted it for myself. There never has been nor will there ever be a goodbye from my daddy. He’s always been with me and will forever stay with me.

All my love… always… in all ways,

Hahleemah Jahmeelah Wright

Meaning “gracefully patient” and “beautiful,” given to me by my daddy.