From one heart to another, with love!
I remember you always telling me about
the day I was born. You had held me in your hands and wanted the time to stop
there. You were spell bound by that little bundle in your hands which claimed
to be a part of your flesh and blood. I also recollect that first glance into
your brown caring eyes not knowing that I was looking into a spiting replica of
what mine would be years later.
Whenever I think of my childhood
I reminisce as you being the silent spectator throughout as I went through
various ups and downs of life. Though as a teenager I failed to understand this
resilient nature of yours today when I look at it I feel there is a lot that I
need to be thankful to you for.
You were never there when I was
learning the bicycle. I kept on falling and still I would get up to start
learning again till I mastered it. Dad, you taught me that in life there will
be many such instances where I will fall down and loose my balance. And it is
extremely important for me to know how to dust myself and stand up once again
to fight the battle with renewed vigour.
I still think of that day when I
had a huge fight at school and had come back home in tears. You knew that
friend but still you refused to go and give him a piece of your mind. Ma
constantly asked you but you did not budge. That day I realized that there are
many battles in your life which you need fight alone.
You and I watched grandfather as
he took his last breath. We witnessed his struggle against death for almost a
fortnight before giving in. Not once did I see a crease of worry on your face
for I learnt however much you love someone beyond a point you are extremely
helpless. It hurts to see your loved one in pain and it hurts more to see that
there is nothing you can do about it. But then that is the law of nature.
Every time I came to you asking
for advices you discussed the pros and cons at length and yet left the decision
on me. Ma hated that but I know you did that for you wanted me to be a good
decision maker and learn to bear the consequences of a wrong decision also. You
never protected me from any pain or harm; rather you let me get hurt and grow
out of it stronger.
Today when people associate the
words strong, mature, dependable, and calm and composed with me, I cannot help
but think of all those small actions you did throughout my growing up years. I
never realized the seeds they left in me which are today deeply rooted fully
grown trees making me what I am.
I stare once again today in your
brown caring eyes which have become old and hazy with age, yet the magic in
them refuses to go. Yes my eyes resemble yours as if to say I am a part of you. An inseparable part which makes me see this world the way YOU wanted me to see it.
I just want to tell you Dad – I love you, not for all that you have been but for all that you have made me. I would have not been anything without those colourful pieces of life that you weaved for me to make a wonderful quilt. This quilt has the magical ability to make me feel warm in the coldest of nights, protect me from the harsh heat at severe times and soothe me when all I need a good sleep to feel rejuvenated. You might not have held my hand at each and every step but you let me carve a new path for myself. And today as I have found my wings I can proudly say you are the wind beneath it.
I just want to tell you Dad – I love you, not for all that you have been but for all that you have made me. I would have not been anything without those colourful pieces of life that you weaved for me to make a wonderful quilt. This quilt has the magical ability to make me feel warm in the coldest of nights, protect me from the harsh heat at severe times and soothe me when all I need a good sleep to feel rejuvenated. You might not have held my hand at each and every step but you let me carve a new path for myself. And today as I have found my wings I can proudly say you are the wind beneath it.
Happy Birthday to a man I love
the most in my life, because you make me what I am and if given a chance I
would love to be your daughter in the next birth as well for I am sure there
are many more unlearnt lessons from you!
P.S: My Dad celebrated his
birthday just 2 days before and I did everything I could to make it extra
special for him. Starting from his favourite food to a surprise birthday party
it was all there and yes he loved everything. But still there was this need for
me to pen my thoughts somewhere here for keepsakes so as to look back at them
years later and smile reminiscing about the good old times!