Misha and Oya Thompson, the daughters of late Prime Minister David Thompson, were today presented with a booklet containing thousands of well wishes for their father, written weeks before he passed away by staff of the Nation Group of Companies and members of the general public.
Publisher and Chief Executive Officer of Nation Publishing Co. Limited, Vivian-Anne Gittens, presented the book to the girls at her Fontabelle, St Michael office.
The book was conceptualised by staff member Associate Editor Toni Yarde after it was announced that Thompson had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Barbadians both here and abroad took the opportunity to pen words of endearment and encouragement for him as he battled his illness.
At the presentation the girls revealed that their father had been aware of the gesture and was eagerly looking forward to receiving the book to read the kind sentiments.
They thanked Barbadians for their outpouring of love and condolences, especially at this time.
“We just want to say thank you for their support,” said a blushing Oya, 17, while Misha, 22, stated, “We did not know that so many people loved and cared for him so much”.
Asked what were some of the fond memories they had of their dad, Oya said, “He did everything for me and we were pretty close.”
Misha laughingly remembered a funny occasion when her father was recorded singing on her phone.
“When I was in England studying he used to call me every morning and he would be playing Kirk Franklin. I guess on this particular morning he probably didn’t realise that the phone went to voicemail and he was there singing away and singing real loud,” she recalled.
Gittens expressed condolences to the girls, their mother Mara and extended family on behalf of the Nation. She explained that the book of well wishes was to be presented to the Thompson family a few weeks ago but was postponed due to his ailing health.
She told them that each page of the book contained an uplifting quotation and pointed out that the first sentiment was written by Thompson’s first teacher at St Gabriel’s Primary School.
mariabradshaw@nationnews.com