Ghanaian actress Yvonne Nelson, who had been unable to locate her father despite her efforts, has now penned a poignant letter to him, expressing her emotions.
After an arduous three-decade-long quest to find her father, Yvonne Nelson finally pours out her heart in a heartfelt letter, yearning for his presence.
In the captivating Chapter 24 of her compelling memoir titled ‘I Am Not Yvonne Nelson’, the actress and mother opens up about her lifelong search, sharing an emotional letter addressed to her unknown father.
Read Yvonne Nelson’s letter below:
A Letter To My Father
Dear Dad,
I cannot tell you how many times I have cried because I do not know you. I have tried to be strong. Growing up, I tried to shake off derogatory comments and names such as “abanoma”, but the more I tried, the more I was reminded of the reality that I did not know my father.
I have a strong feeling that you exist. I feel you’re still alive. I pray to God to give you long life and cause our paths to cross before you pass on to eternity. I have a feeling you know me, so if you see me, don’t pass by. Come forward and let me see you.
The main reason I wrote this book is to find you. I could have gone on social media or mainstream media to announce it, but that would have left out the backstories. No social media post or mainstream media interview could have captured my journey and struggle from the day the teacher called Eugene and me to his desk to ask if our father was the same man. That innocent instigation has helped me to establish what was not. I now want to know what is, who my father is.
I have carried a false identity. I now know I am not Yvonne Nelson. What I don’t know is the surname that I was to supposed to carry.
Perhaps, if I had known you, it wouldn’t have been a big deal. I would never have understood anyone who goes through depression in search of her father even at a time she is self-reliant and is able to take care of others. Having endured it for close to four decades, I understand it better. That’s why I’m reaching out to you. It doesn’t matter the circumstances surrounding my birth. If you are out there, reach out to me.
When King Ayisoba burst onto the Ghanaian music scene with “I Want to See You, My Father”, many found it amusing. But I find myself having to repeat those same words. I want to see you, daddy. I want to hear from you. I want to know more about myself. Scientists say the male chromosomes determine the sex of the child. I don’t regret the woman I have become and I will be happy to see the man who contributed in some way to who I am today. I don’t care about who you are or the circumstances under which you had me.
If you have a family somewhere and do not want your peace to be interrupted, spare a thought for a woman who feels incomplete until she sees you. I am not looking for you to share whatever you may have made and bequeathed to your children in that family. By the grace of God, I have enough to satisfy me, my daughter and those God has put under my care. If, because of your status or present circumstances, seeing you should be a secret that only the two of us would share, I’m prepared to grant you that anonymity.
I can’t wait to hug you and ask you about all the gaps in my life.
I need to fill those gaps. I need closure. And you are crucial to bringing me the much-needed closure.
Kindly reach out if you read this letter and know you possibly could be the one I’m writing to.
Yours sincerely,
Yvonne.
[Excerpts here are used with permission from the author of the copyrighted work and cannot be copied, performed, or used without their consent.]