Things To Do This Father's Day

Sometimes it is now or never. There is no next time or second chance. You got to live your life in the present. Maybe the life is not about becoming something or someone. Today try unbecoming what you are presently and go back to your earlier self. Today try to be that someone who you are meant to be for that someone in the first place.  

NO matter how hard the life is, be obliged for you have a loving family, a shelter, 3 meals a day and handful of friends. You are already a lot fortunate than the plethora of people around the globe.  Now that I have already made you think that "Life is Good", it's time you go and do something for your Daddy. 


    1. If you remember when the entire world said No, Daddy was the only person to say YES and vice versa. Because he knows what is best for you. Pick up that fancy phone (iPhone or any fancy android), use the basic functionality of it. CALL HIM UP. And people already living with family go and check out what the old hero is up to and give him a hug.

    2. Start believing in yourself, you young person. Because you know, your Daddy believed in you and he never agrees to it. Go and see the man and sit as an adult (even if it is for the first time, it's just fine) and talk to him about life. 

    
    3. The Angry young man never sits for a talk? Always busy with newspapers or news channels? Drag him for a while for a quick cup of coffee. It is possible. Try it, my friend.  This man has a lot of secrets in life. You sure as hell deserve to inherit these secrets. Don't you?

    4. Having kids didn’t make him a father but raising them made one. He is not as expressive as your mummy, however, that doesn't mean he feels nothing.  Say thanks often, make him feel loved even when he doesn't express it, yet he deserves it. Hold his hand and show him the world, exactly what he did years ago.

    5. This gentleman has sacrificed a lot for everything that you are today. Go for a brief flashback to your childhood, strikes? He didn't teach life to you, he showed life to you.  Buy him a nice pair glasses maybe?  Or a holiday doesn't hurt much? 

    6. Since we are grown up already that's a sign of aging, this should also let you think that the parents are aging at the same pace as you are.  Does everyone talk about healthy lifestyle, healthy food and what not? Do you really think of what is happening back at home? Take him for a general complete body checkup soon. Give him that confidence that he is still the Tiger of the house and you are the cub and not vice versa. 

    7. "Behind every successful person is a woman" ever heard this? You sure do have. I don't know whatever made the person who quoted this not to think of a man behind the successful person.  The upraised, unsung and unnoticed hero behind one's success is also the Father. He is the most valuable asset.  Today make some time and discuss life with this  Unsung Hero.

    8. Becoming a father is easy enough, but being one can be very rough for he raised you. All that you remember is only being scolded by Daddy? Good for you. At least you are a comparatively better person than what you could have otherwise been. You owe him a lot. A Thank you and a pair of his favorite clothes won't harm your pocket much. 

    9. Every Dad is a hero to his kids. Every child openly or secretly loves their Dad. Oh, wait! Sending him "Happy Father's Day, Love you Dad" message? Did he reply a "Thank You" or is he struggling to reply back? You tech-savvy children, spend some time in teaching them the technology as simple as WhatsApp message, a video call, taking pictures etc. See the changed man in a week's time.  

    Don't forget to speak to him in person. If possible just go and see him soon. This man I tell you never expresses but surely deserves all the happiness at this once again tender age.  

    10. Father's Day is just like Mother's Day, only you don't spend as much. That's fine. The old hero doesn't demand much. All your father needs today is you my friend, just You. As they age gracefully, they don't need anything much. All they need are your calls, your good mornings, your happy talks, lunch/dinner together times, you make them proud every single day as a child and most importantly your TIME. 

So here is your Father's Day pick. At least pick 01/10 and make your super hero feel loved. 

Picture Credits: Google Images

Love,
Nutty Wordsmith!

Gone but not forgotten!

Years ago this day, she was happily attending her Uncle’s wedding. As a school going girl, she was over excited about the wedding. She was wearing a pretty lehenga choli which her Daddy dearest bought and there she was running all around the convention hall.
Only after a while had she realized that her mother and brother weren’t in the reception hall. They weren’t to be seen anywhere. Every guest that arrived, repeatedly questioned her where was her little family. She had no clue. Shortly after the wedding ceremony, she went on asking every other relative of hers if they had seen her mother, to no avail.
She strolled home which was a few kilometers away. Shockingly, there were none at home but her Grandfather. He then informed her, they were at the hospital. She certainly had no idea about what had happened. She inquired about the Hospital, which was again a few km from her home.
She walked to the hospital she was told about. As soon as she entered she saw many of her relatives in the hospital. There she saw, her mother grieving inconsolably. She saw her uncles talking to her mother. She looks here and there, she saw her brother in another corner. Running here and there with some hospital slips.
As an 11 year old, she barely had any clue about anything happening there. She walks closer and closer.  She saw two of her aunts standing close to a private room, around which the hospital staff is running about. She tried to enter the room and nobody let her to. She now became more and more anxious. Her heart beats are at a varying rate now. When she finally entered the room pushing everyone aside, there she saw her father in tremendous pain and agony. She could only see the cries in and around the room. He was crying in pain. He wasn’t able to move. The doctors around were giving him the injections. Nothing seems to be serving anymore. He wanted to pass the urine but he couldn't. He cries in pain. She was allowed to stand barely for 2–3 minutes in that room. He was immediately rushed to an Emergency. She was sent away.

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As an 11-year-old, once again she was clueless and crying. She was sent home with a relative of hers. When she reached home, the newlyweds were brought into the house. she went and locked herself in a room. She did not get out of the room until that night and surprisingly none even noticed it. At night, she walked out of the room only hearing her mother cry out loud. Her Father passed away that night suffering from Hepatitis B, until that day of which they were unaware of. 

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And that marked the worst 2 minutes at the hospital and the worst day in her life. Something she could never forget and something that would stay in her heart until the end of her time. Healing has its own way and it takes its own time. For every girl, her father is her first hero and for her, he lived up to every bit as a hero, a guiding light, a teacher, a superman and an amazing Daddy. He gave her the wings to fly and the vision to dream endlessly. The memories of endless love and the warmth make her all cold today. She is strong but tired. She wants a warm hug and a pat on the back. She wished if he could come back. She snuggles into her blanket and yet she is frozen. 

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She turns to the other side of the pillow as this side is already cold hiding her secrets. She slips into the sleep only to meet him again in the world outside this, the world of her dreams. 

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For he was the most beautiful thing she preserved in her heart and was her hardest Goodbye! Gone but not forgotten! 

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Love,
Vj (Nutty Wordsmith)

Kruthi - The Diamond That Could Never Be Cut!

Fiction # 4 -- Strong Is The New Beautiful!

Anthara was scrolling through her phone gallery, pausing here and there and smiling occasionally. She could close her eyes to reality but not memories. Memories for that matter are very insane and drive you crazy at times. After a good 20 minutes, she stopped at a picture and stared at one distinct picture for a long time. A picture of a couple of weeks fetus in a scan. A picture of a soon to be arriving niece/nephew. That very thought of another member coming into the family is exciting. Meantime, Anthara looked back to the days when Krisha was about to be born and how excited Kruthi, her best friend was. Having a best friend is the best thing ever.That was the coolest thing that befell, only if the storm had not hit their life, she thought.

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Kruthi was a very pretty and innocent girl. She was overly pampered by her parents and extended family. She was an apple of their eye. Kruthi was a lively and joyous girl among her friends. She was known for her impeccable dressing style and the food she carried from home. Kruthi was adored by her friends for the girl she was. Sooner than the family thought she was into her bachelor's degree. Every other family member made sure she was at her utmost ease when she stepped into her college. Although Kruthi was from a very sound and affluent family, her behavior had inherited no influence from the family status. She spent her time with friends from every walk of life.

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For Kruthi was a beautiful girl, she had gotten more alliances than any of her friends did during her college. However, there was no rush until she graduated but her soulmate arrived sooner than expected. For she had a very beautiful soul too she had agreed to marry a business man who was an average looking man. The very first proposal and she agreed to her parents' choice for her. Anthara was happy for Kruthi. For Kruthi always spoke about Varun, her fiancé and what a great guy he was. Every single time Kruthi told everyone how Varun never forgets to make it a point to surprise her, for he lived on another continent across the oceans. The love never found any excuses. It blossomed to be a beautiful flower by the time it was the wedding time.

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Anthara was enjoying every bit of how Kruthi had turned out to be a responsible woman who is just about to be graduated. While everyone else including Anthara was just the college going irresponsible and about to be graduated chicks. Immediately after graduation, Anthara moved out of her city for a job and Kruthi stayed home preparing for her big event.  As Anthara joined a new job, undergoing a training and was writing her exit exams, she couldn't be part of the big day. But she was very excited for Kruthi and made sure her family attended the event.

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After the wedding, Kruthi flew away with Varun. She called up Anthara and told how a great city she was living in and what was it to be married to Varun and living with him and making her new home. Anthara always hoped and prayed that Kruthi is this happy now and forever. Days passed by and months too. Anthara could only look back to the memories of college and could no longer live there. However, she was getting accustomed to new life and new people and same were the cases with Kruthi in the States. They moved on with their lives happily, one was building the career and another a family.

Life seemed like a garden of roses, until one day when the storm hit their life hard. Anthara was on a lunch table with her colleagues when she received a message. The message was from Kruthi that clearly stated - "I'm very sorry to leave this earth rather soon. I cannot live like this anymore. I am very sorry Mom, Dad and you all. Good Bye".  Anthara dropped her phone and started weeping inconsolably. Her colleagues read the message and tried to console her. Her Boss even asked her to leave ASAP and check on her friend. It was only a few days that Kruthi had moved to Bangalore. She was living all alone in a PG in spite of having a big family and house. The depression had made its way into her life.  Anthara made innumerable calls to her, to no avail. She then started calling Kruthi's mother, casually enquired how was everything. Her mother started crying and informed about the message they had received and then there was no conversation with her anymore.

Anthara lost no hope, she hired a vehicle and made her way to the place where Kruthi lived. Her mother gave some idea about the place. And then there is a trouble of searching the PG, where Kruthi lived. She informed her brother and a friend to start and search for her until she reached. The boys went searching in every possible direction, however, there were many Kruthis who lived in every area and the boys were not allowed to enter and check. This made it only impossible to reach on time and make sure things were fine. Anthara called for the (n-1) times, this time the phone was picked and she was only hoping it was Kruthi and none else. The tension that had built up over the last hour was beyond the imagination unless you have gone through it. Kruthi broke down the minute she received the call and only said she doesn't want to live and disconnected the call. This made it even worse to imagine the unimaginable by the time they could trace her. The minute Anthara entered the room, she was almost surrendering herself to the worst.

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Kruthi had surrendered to depression after a whole year of domestic violence. Kruthi's mother-in-law had made her life much worse than she could ever imagine, husband did not stand by her.  On the day of her 1st anniversary, she was in the courtroom for the divorce hearing. Every single day had been a hell to witness. For the girl just out of college, who was always being pampered by family this situation was unacceptable. She went on telling Anthara what had she been put into.
Anthara cried all night after hearing the trauma her friend was into.

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Kruthi was later sent to her husband's place. Things slowly started changing, for good. But however, mother-in-law did not surrender herself to any kind of changes. She once even left the entire house to get packed with LPG. It was only by luck, Varun entered the house from outside and got Kruthi out of the danger. That's when they decided to stay without Varun's mother. Eventually, after a year or so Kruthi conceived with Krisha.

Things were so different all of a sudden, just like the days when Kruthi was just married. Krisha's arrival had changed everything in everyone's life. The first time Kruthi smiled in a while was when Krisha's arrival was confirmed. Anthara could still remember when Kruthi's mother informed her of the news. Everything first that happened because of the baby was special. Every time Anthara spoke to her friend, she was never tired of the little baby's rantings by mumma. Anthara enjoyed hearing Peppa pig more than any other song now. Baby's first snow, her first walk, her little ramps, her first Krishna avatar everything appeared to be so special. Then on there was no looking back for Kruthi.

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Today Krisha is almost 3.5 years old and she knows there is a baby in mumma's tummy. Anthara keeps looking at Krisha's pictures now and then. It's no longer only Krisha now, there is another niece/nephew to arrive soon. Anthara who is now a successful working woman only looks at Kruthi and feels proud of her best friend of how courageous a girl she was. Anthara looks at Kruthi every time and realizes how to bounce back after the storm. Definitely, when the storm rips her into pieces, she had to decide how to put herself back together again. Being tested makes you much stronger than you ever were.

Part of Kruthi's life's mystery is how was she so calm in the storm. It was what she chose to become when she was walking through the fire. Every time a window closed, she ran to the next one and possibly broke open a few doors. As Buddha said, Pain is inevitable but suffering is optional. Today Kruthi makes a house of a 3 with the 4th one coming soon and stands much taller than what she was with all the pride. Varun is now a doting father to Krisha and keeps Kruthi very happy.

"New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings." says Lao Tzu. All's well that ends well.

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Kruthi: Hello, hey we had a scan and I'm sending you the pictures.
Anthara: Really?? Waiting.
Kruthi: Maasi we miss you.
Anthara: Maasi loves you guys!


Love,
V
(Nutty Wordsmith)

A Letter To Younger Self!

Disclaimer: It is either likely or highly unlikely that any sentiments expressed in this letter in any way coincide with those of any other person in any way associated with me. I was often asked what would I suggest to my younger self, if given a chance. Here I've an article on what I would say.

Dear Mini-me,

You must have heard from everyone many times that "Do not grow up, it's a trap". Today after turning out to be a 20 something, I'm going to tell you what it is like to be a grown up.  I have time traveled 15 years back to tell you how much I love you and how we have synchronically made this life for me.

First thing first, don't ever be frightened of anything. The little school going girl that you are, you are a marvelous kid. All the naughtiness that has vanished due to the circumstances in the past year, I say you should continue to be the same naughty kid. When I look back to the time I have traveled, I feel it is boring to be a decent kid.

All the tough subjects in school syllabus aren't a big deal, you will still make it to the top. It's OK if the other person is scoring 0.5 or 1 mark more than you, in the end, it does not even matter. Do not get upset over missing a rank, go out and play games, get bruises and make more friends. Go play whatever makes you happy, you need not play with a doll/Barbie at all because you don't like it. It's OK to have short hair and not have braids when you go to school.

Have as many crushes as you want, I allow you to. I still do, why not you? I know, there are Hitlers' encompassing, you need not always tell them how many crushes have you had and how you perceive it. Act crazy and weird at times, you are not straight out of a classic story, and you can be weird too. Someday a Teacher will tell you "A lotus is still a lotus even in the mud", respect her for she is going to give you the best life lessons.

I know, you have had the unfortunate times at such tender age but that is only going to make you strong. Remember, every lesson from life is unpleasant but these lessons will not destroy or kill you.  Make more mistakes and learn the hard lessons by yourself. Trust me, you will not realize it at this time but you will learn a hell lot of things in the years to come.  When I see you through the glass, I see a shy and quiet girl who is bright and intelligent. Be proud of yourself and use it to your favor.

Give, But don't allow yourself to be used. Love, but don't allow your heart to be abused. Trust, but don't be naïve. Listen, but don't lose your own voice.  And my dear mini-me, stop brother-zoning every guy you meet; today I see I'm surrounded by the maximum number of annoying brothers. Possibly only person to have so many brothers around and they'll get you mad every time in the crowd even though they stand by you when needed.

All the ways that make you different are the ones that make you stand out. It's OK to be different. Dream big because that is what you are supposed to at this age. You will eventually achieve everything that you truly desire and deserve. If you feel, life isn't fair to you right now, this too shall pass. Most of the things that are taught to you by the school and society are not the facts, it's OK you will anyways figure out what is good for you.

People say you think too much, and it will continue even when you sail through the adulthood. Love yourself, because that is who you are going to spend the rest of your life with. I feel that everything happens for a reason, even though I fail to realize it at that point in time. In the adulthood, you cannot make more mistakes, as that is how life is supposed to be. Evaluate things before acting on them, let alone people think you are old school.

 Whenever you feel you are tired; drained physically and emotionally just remember you have to keep moving. You see, today mom is very proud of who I have become after fighting all the odds. I know things happen late in my life, but I have got the best ones. So you too make an attempt to trust in whatever is meant to be, it will happen.

If you think your life is not as perfect as that of your friend's, then it is only a matter of time. Be happy with all the little things that you have, while there are people with nothing and they do still smile.  Everything will come to you at the perfect time. Do what is right for you, for there is none walking in your shoes. No matter what happens and how hard it seems to be, you will be better tomorrow.

If any evil aunt asks you to learn cooking, just say you are still in school and you will learn it someday. Today, I can totally manage it all. Anyone if ever treat you in unfair ways, voice it out and stand for yourself. Stand for mom, make her feel safe around you. Be nice to everyone who is nice to you. Life is too short to live with regrets and disappointments. Do not waste time thinking of wrong things or people, 5 years from now it will not even matter.  The nicest ones that you have met and are going to meet will stay with you forever or at least they are here at this point. Feel blessed for what you have.

If all that you did today was to hold yourself, I am proud of you mini-me. Just be real, it’s not at all complicated.

Last, but not the least - When you are wrong, admit it; when you are right, be quiet!

Love, 
The grown-up you!

That Long Distance Relationship!

Relationships are both merrier and painful at 2 different instances. No story is picture perfect. Every story has its own times of joy and testing times. In a nutshell, they are complicated, touch wood mine was never.

Every time I received a call from my contacts as Dortmund, people next to me always wondered who was it. Some of them gave me a weird smile and a Ohh hoo, some of them raised their eyebrows and some of them left me to be at my peace. And I never failed to ignore. Most of my afternoons a couple of years ago had a regular status update calls to this person. Seldom I quietly walked out of my workspace, took a water bottle to refill, gave my updates and walked back to my desk. I had made it a habit or more like a routine.

I remember times, when people unnecessarily teased me while I was on calls, I had nothing to say but just say what nonsense? And walk away. They thought I was blushing then. Lol. I wondered why on earth would I blush? On the other side, Dortmund asked me why was I laughing. I would tell the stories of things that happen around me while I answer Dortmund's call. Dortmund would laugh and say Ignore it baby, so would I.

Dortmund: Baby change my contact name please.
Me: Aye ja be!
Dortmund : <Eye-rolling smiley! And a silent GL please.>

This happened only on 3 different occasions. I was very politely asked to change the contact name, I respectfully disagreed to do so. Later I was never even asked to do, in-spite of people doubting on us to the moon and back.

Our initial days of skype calls were crazy:

                           
Every time Dortmund flashed on my phone, someone made fun of me. Except people who were nearly close to me as Dort. Most of the times before I made purchases online, the links and pictures were sent to Dort. Until the approval/suggestions came from miles away, the product was just left in the cart.  So friends of mine asked if Dortmund selected it for me, I said no, but I showed it before buying it.

            

My world is so incomplete without this person. Distance has never been a villain except for a very few occasions. When I was pale and sad, I wanted a shoulder for real but however bestie was always there virtually. Spoke for hours and made me a better person in a few hours. I thanked God for having my personalized angel as he couldn't always be around. But I couldn't thank Dortmund enough because the response I always received for every thanks was - "Aye ja be"

Time zone is a matter of concern many a times. I doze off much before the other person.  I ask about lunch, while the person miles away is just up and yet to have breakfast. The last night, I had to wake myself at 03:30 am-ish just to make sure I'm wishing at 12:00 am, while I was terribly sick with a damaged wrist.

Just so that everybody knows, Dortmund is a name of a place in Germany. I did not know of the place only until my Bestie got the admission at TU Dortmund. Unless you really really know me well, you wouldn't really know who my Bestie is. After having relocated from Dortmund to Zutphen, the contact name still remains the same. I like Dortmund more, maybe. Bestie does not even mind any longer.

At times, our conversations be like :
Me:  Come we'll marry each other and it's even legal!
Dortmund : The Society is not ready for that yet.
Me: We'll adopt a child and a pet.
Dortmund :  You'll take care of both but.
Me: Yeah ok :)
Dortmund : Ok! Wouldn't that still be a long distance relationship ? Lol!

Dortmund knows all those stares I possibly get in the bus for the commitment that lasts for years. Be it a phone call or WhatsApp chat. I do smile while I respond, but trust me, I ain't blushing. Best Friend is the greatest gift that one could ever get. Mine is exceptionally the great one.  I get all the energy in the world when I'm down just when I have this person with me. We don't even have a lot many pictures together. Maybe we were too busy in living today and forgot to make memories with pictures. Nonetheless, being there when needed the most is all that matters.

Random conversations be like :D

Happy Birthday to the only girl I know who is almost as crazy as me. I know, how hard it is to be humble :) You are charming, compassionate, intelligent and strong - maybe just because you are my best friend. Oh yeah, I'm being humble all over again :) Did we agree upon the terms, best friends are supposed to share everything with each other? So I'm celebrating and sharing your birthday with you like my own. Your age is just a reminder of all the amazing years we spent together.

Madam, Just so that you remember all over again, the first day of our college, we met unexpectedly and the first thing we did together was go to a Canteen instead of the class at P.C Jabin's. All the weird things happen for a reason, so did we happened to each other. Thanks for jumping in joy with me and sobbing when I cried rivers. I know, you have been equally humble by being there and tolerating all the mood swings of mine. And there is no escape, you know. In this roller coaster called life, being able to lean and rely on someone is one of the best feelings out there. Not a PDA, but yeah I do love you only as much as you do :D You decide as to how much :P

Happy Birthday !!

Love,
V

A letter to Daddy!

Daddy Dearest,

Daddy is what I've always fondly called you. If I could ever write something thoughtfully , that would be the greatest ever told. For I would write about you Daddy, who was a man with Golden heart. I don’t know what you were to the entire world but a very special person to my own world.

The values that you have instilled in me are the ones that let me be who I am and be a strong person I could ever be. When people say - "Like Father, Like Daughter" that's the best thing I could ever ask for. I gleam with pride every time someone says - You are just like your Daddy.

Today after 15 years of your absence,  I have still memories of you afresh in my mind. So My dear Daddy my best ever gift to myself is the ability to recall the gift of your brief presence in my life. Perhaps, if you think I missed a lot of things, I would only say, Life's lessons you have taught me are engraved in my heart.

Without the very presence of you in my heart, I wouldn’t be the person I'm today. I'm glad I picked up all that you showered upon me as lessons. You are that one in a millions type of Dad, who has led the secure foundation of my life. I feel your love and presence wherever I go. You are that shining star of my universe. If God ever sends a line of Fathers, I would search for you from the crowd and make you mine all over again.

You never looked for praises, you never boasted anything. For you did everything  for us and left so hurriedly, I couldn't just tell you that - "You were my hero and you have always been. I loved you then, and I love you even more now. Happy Birthday Daddy"

Sitting and gazing back to the farthest ever I can recall,
Your Little Girl V

That Tall Handsome Man!

A shiver runs through me thinking of him. Everything about him is so special and so unique. He is always been appreciated by many. Every other acquaintance of him I personally met had something to tell about him. Tons of things I learnt through his acquaintance about him made me feel more special. He was like that magical rock, to whom everyone went with their problems. And that includes me too. I call it "Happiness for real", ignoring all the tears I shed.

I recently attended a family friend's wedding. It was obvious to meet many known people. Initially, I was hesitant to face a lot of them but I eased through it. I entered the function hall in a blue silk saree and greeted so many uncle and aunties with hands folded. More than half of them said, "Oh look who is grown up, the little Pinky". I was shy! And they said, had he been here, wouldn't that be great? I nodded my head in acknowledgement.

Memories and people from the past can be pleasant and at times equally painful. If you decide to smile at the odds, you will have only the pleasant thoughts greeting you. A little later, a lady in her late 50s came to us. She was gentle and kind. She smiled and asked my mother "Vahini(word used to address a woman as sister-in-law) how are you?". My mother responded to her and wished her for the "Rashtra Prashasthi". "Had he been here, he would be over the moon. wouldn't he?" asked the lady. She started to narrate a small story of hers.

"I was earning Rs. 400 per month in a private school then, it was he who got an application form. He filled it up neatly and pushed me out of the house to submit the application. I then submitted the application and joined the Government services. He ensured to see that I get the joining within Hubli taluk. No less than a God to me, while my Maithili and Vaidehi were little kids. Tears were rolling constantly as she continued to speak. There was this other man standing there along with us, who now silently fled the sight. She said, what kind of a friend is this person? He doesn't have a little patience to hear about his own friend. Meanwhile, other women there opened up to say "No wonder why you are such a kind and helpful woman, were you not there, we would not get to eat a meal a day". She stated, it is he who made my life and, in turn, yours'. I will remain thankful to him till my eyes close forever.

Now that I had spent more than half a day in hearing appreciations of this man, I went into a series of flashbacks. This one is a simple yet small one:

It was a summer evening, I had returned home after visiting a friend on a Saturday noon. For reasons unknown, I'm a games freak. I played a lot of it and returned by evening. I saw this man resting on the bed and I jumped on the bed. Silently sat on his "little-big-tummy". He opened his eyes and asked what I wanted. Little hesitant and scared as I was at the moment, I said "Video Game". Little did I know, what was coming - I just put forth my demand. Till then, there were no instances I ever dared to demand anything. I was a low maintenance child then. He calmly walked out of the room and freshened up and dressed up smartly with shirt neatly tucked in, a rare collection watch, footwear polished so well to shine and combed with few Bajaj Almond drops. I assumed my demand was blindly rejected, I went and sat in one of the corners of the room. He then came over and asked If I was ready yet? I looked here and there and grinned instantly. Jumped out of the bed and dressed up in no time. That evening, I got my first 'Brick Game' Home. What a delight that was.

Although he was very strict yet he was jovial, very disciplined yet super cool; he was witty yet he was kind and caring. And he was my Hero.

That Tall Handsome Man is My Father!

 The most important influence in my childhood was my father.My father was my teacher. But most importantly he was a great Dad. Today as I write this memoir, I apprehend it is exactly 15 long years, that I've lived only with the memories. There is a complete void in me. Today, when I hear all the great stories by others that he never mentioned to us, I wish I could thank him enough for all that he was. I wish I could tell him I how much I admired him. I wish I could bring him back. I wish he could hold me before I fall. I wish he punished me when I broke the rules. I wish he could shine with pride over my success. I wish and I wish!!

I want to hug him for once and say "How much I missed him for all these years". I revived all those special remembrances his friends shared with us. He left footprints of kindness wherever he went. I now wonder about those, whom my father supported, took care of, educated, nurtured and made a good human-being. Benevolence begins at home, yes it indeed. As I recall, there were a number of relatives and family friends who lived in my house along with us, like us and completed their education. But there are many more untold random acts of kindness. Today, I feel my dad must be happy, wherever he is as he see them successful.

I still wake up with dreams of my Dad visiting us in his vacations, I still get frightened to talk to him looking straight into his eyes in my dreams. I still wish that was real. I still feel proud for he was multitalented. I still wait to sleep only to see him again. There is a deep-seated need to fill the unfillable void. But I'm sure the strongest guy I ever met would never want to see me broken.  

In the walk of life,
We pass joys and pain.
There will be sunshine and rain;
There will be loss and gain.
But we must learn to smile again and again.

My first article about the most dignified and the noble soul. Had he been here he would have gracefully aged with gray hair and nearing to his retirement life. But he rather resides in each of us in my home. And now I know, why there is a little bit of heaven in my home :)

-Love,
That Tall Handsome Man's Daughter :)