I saw
The fading light in his eyes
Held his hand before he bid adieu
Prepared myself for the worst
Yet,  let a ray of hope hold me close

Two days later
Extinguished and gone forever
He still held me close
Reminded me I was to stay strong
For the ones who lived after

Clouds of tears 
Gathered behind the lids
I let them not spill over
My inner strength at the fore
I held my weeping mother

That day 
I discovered I had the strength
To face crisis without a waver
Knew if I prepared for the worst
Life could not defeat me ever

Later
Many a crisis did I face
Each a test of resilience 
Never allowed the self to be overwhelmed
Faced each as would a warrior

The woman in me 
Stood shoulder-to-shoulder the other gender
Never allowed herself to feel insecure
Bow before any pressure 

Today 
When I look at the years gone by 
I feel a smile hover
On the lips of he who is no more
My mentor... My father