There is much fanfare today. The media would tell us through prominent headlines, the Archie’s shops would remind us with their heart-warming cards … it is Father’s day today.
Father’s day? Far away from all the noise and din an ocean-full of happy memories quietly start to churn my heart. Memories that will fill many volumes of many books… this one come to mind instantly!
Where is the rubber Mini?
Our elder one was five something. We had recently come back to Delhi on posting. She was in grade 1 in the famous Army Public School.. a very gentle, delicate and well-mannered little girl; the type who would play’ passing-the- parcel’ on BD parties with all sincerity. I noticed she was losing her eraser far too often, almost on a daily basis. One day, I just said jokingly Mini, if you loose
your eraser every day, I have to put it around your neck with a thread.
Few days passed. I was teaching her maths on the dining table. Mini rubber dena.. I said just like that. What I saw amazed me no end. The little girl promptly put her had into her dress. Four little fingers pulled out an eraser were tied to a thread round her neck.
Oh my God, I didn’t mean it Mini… she just looked at me. That little innocence pierced my heart. I immediately undid
the thread almost in shame.
What did you eat Megha?
Our younger one Megha lives her name – independent and free just like megh (cloud). DAPS – the first KG school of many an Fauji kids. First day of school, you will expect a little child to be a bit nervous/crying etc. Nothing doing. Bye Mumma, Bye Papa and off she climbed the bus disgorging from my ‘godi’. And when she came back she was merrily smiling with a water-bottle around her.
Only one point though – the bottle was nor her’s??
On days of Navratri, we would tell her; Megha during Navratri, we don’t eat non-veg. Returning in the evening from a play date with a Christain friend across the neighborhood in Ambala Cantt, Mamma would ask- what did you eat Megha…. Chicken!!
Now in the evening of life when the children have flown away, while the nest is empty of their physical presence but it is filled with a million memories spanning a lifetime.
As two successful professionals go about their life’s journey with confidence and pride in a far-away land, a Papa whispers in his heart – God bless you
Children; you have done me proud.
Happy Father’s day.
Disclaimer
Views expressed above are the author’s own.
