DAD!! We will miss you

DAD!! You will be missed at every step of our lives ahead..

I remember

-          How your life revolved around the family and just the family. How possessive you were about our family and how you loved us unconditionally

-          Your decision of moving to the present location 3 decades ago which made a significant impact to our childhood, education, career, outlook, and everything I can ever think of. How you used to work overtime, always use Public Transport and cut other corners, so that we could have a house of our own. We all will be indebted to you for this decision forever. We are what we are because of you

-          You submitting application for all my competitive exams during/after my graduation and you also reminding me to appear for it a day before the actual event. You were so concerned about my career and finally you were the one who convinced me to appear for the computer scholarship. This made my life for which I will be grateful forever.

-          How you saved most of the money I ever sent to you from US for household expenses. This later came handy in buying our second HOME SWEET HOME.. You instilled the importance of savings in us and this will go a long long way.

-          How organized you were in your documentation, filing, taxation, remembering the due dates of premiums and maturity dates of investments, getting passbooks updated on time, etc. I only hope I will get closer to that someday.

-          Your caring nature towards your siblings and because of which they rushed to see you even at the slightest information of you being unwell and how all our cousins used to love spending their vacations at our place.

-          You unconditionally supporting many of our close relatives in times of need. You have made a big difference in their lives and hope we carry this legacy ahead..

-          Your calls every evening on my way back from work to check if I have started for home so that we could have our dinner together. Once I answered your call, your response always would be “Welcome !! Welcome !!”.  I will miss you dad.

-          How you longed to have our weekend meals together over family gossips. We now understand the importance of it and will miss you dearly..

-          How we lived a simple and contented life with basic necessities fulfilled. We had a good and memorable childhood… viz. the dinners every first week of the month, the travel to our native place twice a year, the chocolates that we used to share, etc..

-          How you loved travelling and took us to so many places around India. These memories will remain fresh forever.

-          How you changed with times be it investment in shares, adopting new technology, wearing Jeans and Tshirts, coming to terms with inter caste marriages in the family, etc…

-          How good you were at sports with your favorite being Bridge, Chess and Carom. How you never missed any live telecast (from any part of the world) of Tennis, Football, Cricket, Chess, Badminton, etc..

-          How particular you were about timings when it came to having your meals. .be it breakfast, lunch or dinner. Will also remember how you used to love having Banana after every meal.  I guess this was the secret for leading a long and healthy life.

-          How you never missed take an early bath followed by your chanting of Mantras, Pooja and Prayer. You rarely had your breakfast before this ritual..

-          How you hated hospitals and only relented on seeing a Doctor to keep us happy

Over the past few weeks after you passed away, so many of your friends and close relatives have showed up in spite of their busy schedule and other commitments. Few of them flew from far of distances to be with us for few hours to convey their love and support during these crucial times.  Never realized that you meant such a lot to them. They remembered your one liners and your pranks you played at the slightest opportunity you used to get. 

“Mohan Anna” as they all used to call you lovingly, is no longer with us. However you have made an impact in this world in your own small way.

I know you were very proud of us and all our achievements in life. I only hope that we lived up to your expectations and took good care of you. I only pray to give us strength to live a dignified life like you and pass on values you instilled in us to the next generation.

We all love you DAD !!