Daughter of MH370 steward posts poignant birthday note to dad

PETALING JAYA, Feb 22 — Only a daughter will know what it feels like to lose the first man she has ever loved and Maira Elizabeth Nari, 19, was brave enough to display her love for her father Andrew, the chief steward on Flight MH370.

Maira posted a picture of her father on her Instagram account, dedicating the post to him as he would have celebrated his 50^th birthday yesterday.

In the post, Maira said she remembers his laughter and the times they shared with the family on his 49^th birthday.

“In two weeks time, it will be one year since flight MH370 went missing. Before all this happened, we planned to have a big celebration for your 50^th birthday,” she said in her post.

“Today, we are going to church to celebrate your birthday and you are always in our minds and hearts because you are at Home, safe and sound with the Creator.

“We miss you terribly and we love you always because you are the best husband to Mum and the best father to Malcolm and I. Happy 50^th birthday, daddy.” 

Malay Mail spoke to Maira yesterday and she shared her memories of celebrating her father’s 49^th birthday last year.

“I worked as a hostess after I completed my Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM). It was my first ever salary and the celebration was different because it was the first time I bought my father a present and a birthday cake.”

She said her father had always wanted a powerbank but said it was expensive because it costs more than RM100. 

So with her first salary, she bought him a powerbank and a cake.

“My father was angry at first because I left a note on his gift that said he could surf the Internet around the clock. He thought I had spent a lot of money on an Internet package but was shocked to discover it was a powerbank instead.

“He screamed, ‘Thank you, Maira’ and hugged me tight. I will never forget his face because he was so happy and smiling from ear to ear.

“Before we went to bed that night, he asked: ‘Am I supposed to charge it the whole day? I said ‘Yes’ and told him the powerbank would let him know when it has been fully charged. He brought the powerbank with him everywhere he went.

“We all miss him and we are moving on slowly. I am very tired of all the drama surrounding MH370.”

MH370 went missing on March 8 last year en route to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur with 239 passengers and crew members on board.