Best Dad on Earth

I have been in the US for almost 9 years the one thing I will miss beyond everything is My Dad, My mom and all the family members back home. Yes, I made the choice to come here. Yes, I continue to choose to stay here but there is no dispute to the fact that I miss my country, I miss my family and most of all I miss my Dad. I have been a father only for 3 years but I am not sure I can in anyway replicate or even come close to what my dad has done for the family. There is only one area where I can beat him maybe 2 – 1) I am positive I will grow grey and loose hair faster than him 2) I am sure I will put on more weight than he did in his early years.

You thought us to live life to the maximum and enjoy it with family – I still remember the first major vacation when the 5 of us went out to Bangalore and Mysore trip. It was right after my 10^th grade exams. We all took the train from Hyderabad to Bangalore. You would buy everything that came our way from the vendors passing by from the veg cutlets to the spiced peanuts to the ice cream. There were many more trips after that and many more before that but this trip to Bangalore was the best trip ever.

I remember the Diwali's I spent with you, the favorite of all the Indian festivals. I remember being woken up the day before diwali early in the morning at 5:00 AM to light up crackers and burst Narakasura. I remember standing on the steps waiting for you to return from your Bosses house after wishing him Diwali wishes. I still wish you did stayed away from going to you bosses house but work came before anything else. It has been 9 years since I celebrated Diwali with you but I am sure I will do it soon in the next few years and this time it will be a Grand celebration.

I remember all the fuss I created when I fell sick, all the hungama at home to make me take that stupid medicine. I wanted you to come and give me the medicine or I would not take it. Dad – I have a confession to make, I threw some of these medicines out of the window and never took them. I have grown up since then but I still miss you when I am sick.

I still remember the first Cassette Player and the first Cassette of the Gharshana movie you brought for me from Nellore in 1992 and the umpteen number of times I played the cassette.

I remember the struggles you had to go through for arranging the finance for my brother to come to US, I remember the struggles and the pain we had to go through to arrange for the last installment for our first flat in Ameerpet. I remember the hardships you had to go through in the final leg of his professional career working for an employer.

All through the years dad, you have been a role model for me. As a person who showered all his love, as a person who worked long arduous hours, as a person who thought us a lot about work ethics, work culture by sharing your day to day experiences at work. As a person who thought us a lot about managing financials just by being open to us about the financial situation at home. As a friend who we could walk with hands on your shoulder, as a person who thought us how to love our wife and how to bring up family.

We stand where we are today due to all that you and amma have done. Dad, I miss you. Hope you will have a wonderful Birthday.