This blog has now become a repository of my emotions and outlets for the days and occasions that matter for me most. The month of April marks 3 main celebrations in my family: my sister's birthday, my brother's anniversary and then my dad's birthday. I wrote about my sister's birthday. And today is my dad's birthday. For my brother's anniversary, I have to find the courage to relive that day and write about it sometime.
So, my dad...my papa..my earliest memories of him is of the person who used to save us from any troubles we used to get in. My mumma was the tough parent, so he used to be the good one...the one who would sign our late homework or less grade papers secretly; get us kulfi from the roadside (mumma was strict against the roadside food) or even let us sleep till late and skip the schools on rainy days. And his mantra used to be "Itni baarish ho rahi hai? Koi teacher nahin aayegi, koi bache nahin aayenge. Kya karoge school jakar?".
He loves to eat and make others eat, especially sweets. When we were kids, he was the one who got the first gold coins (chocolate coins), peppermint cigarettes for us !! Even now, before even I get home, he will have garma garam jalebi at home ready for me. And will keep asking mom, when is she going to make halwa for the kids. On my return, I always have a huge box of home made laddoos with me.
It breaks my heart to see him struggling with his blood sugar levels now and not able to eat the things he so used to love to eat.
Over the last few years and especially this pandemic his health, his anxieties and his carefree spirit have taken a toll. That hearty laugh that I used to adore about him is not that hearty anymore. It is as if there are clouds of doubt, anxiousness and pain in that, words I never related to my dad, even in the worst of the times.
Sitting so far away, I try to cheer him up as best as I can. Conspire with sisters and brother to surprise him, coerce mom to cook his favorite dishes; call up neighboring uncle to see how their card games are going.
Papa..for today and the years coming, I wish you become the version of you that you are content and happy with. You get to experience moments and relations that make you happy. And you continue spreading that to others too. Because trust me, your always smiling face and your response of "First Class" to anyone who asks how are you, is extremely infectious.
Love you papa, and you, the one really up high there, you make sure to make things better for him, please !!
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