FATHER! MY FATHER!

WITH HIS GREAT GRAND DAUGHTER.

WITH HIS GREAT GRAND SON.

I don't believe in rebirth, re incarnation or an after life.

I believe that when a person dies he simply dies. He leaves a void in the lives of those with whom he was bound. He physically ceases to exist.

Yet I believe that my father, who died five years ago this day, lives on. He lives with me, because he has touched me with his thought. He has taught us, moulded us, and guided us. Every step that I take was because he taught me how to walk.

Each deed, each philosophy that I have, has his thought as the basis. I took up writing in a rather serious way, on the day that my father died .It is rather strange, but out of my immense grief, I found words of anguish to express myself. My father had the art of writing. His writing was beautiful. The matter that he wrote was always worth emulating. I used to be amazed at his beautiful English. He, who had studied in village schools, could write very beautiful English.

He loved to collect books. He loved to spend money on buying good books. Reading them was a big task. He read with a lot of attention. He actually studied the book. Not a single page would go untouched by his red pencil. Not a single margin went without his red noting.

Even the newspaper was read with interest. Each newspaper had cuttings, noting, red pencil marks and the date noted on it.

Daddy was an extremely caring person. He would always carry my mother's hand bag on his shoulder. He thought she needed help in walking or climbing steps.

He took good care of himself. He was regular with his morning walks.  He dressed with care even for these walks. A stylish hat, nice walking shoes, nice suitable clothes, and off he was for the park. He ate in moderation.  Yet death did not spare him. The only saving grace was that he died rather instantaneously. There was no prolonged illness, no wait and watch situation. He spared us that ordeal too.

WITH HIS GRANDSONS.

He was a man who never wanted anything for himself. He was an extremely generous man, who was always giving. He was always the teacher. He was always the guide who had a solution to every problem.

Now his thoughts remain with me. Every time I have a problem I look within and find the solution. I find him with me guiding, helping, and teaching me constantly.

I miss you my dear father, not only today, but everyday.

I only take solace in the thought that your thoughts, teachings remain instilled in me forever.

As G one says in the movie Ra one, Good men die but their goodness lives on.

Fathers must not be taken with a pinch of salt. They ARE the salt without whom our food is tasteless.

I think fathers have not received their due share of eulogy. They really deserve our love, affection and respect.

They are as important as a mother is in the life of every child. My father was very expressive, but most men are not expressive or demonstrative. Often they give the look of being indifferent. Believe me when I say that they are not. They are emotional, vulnerable and kind hearted.

All those of you who have fathers please do look again. Please do give back the love and affection that your father deserves. Remember parents do not last forever!

WE REMAIN YOURS TRULY.