My R.I.C.H Dad

My Dad’s RICHness was in taking care of others . Dad and his memories made me realize the importance of love, caring, and support. I remember those moments when our relatives would come to our place and stay and we sit around and talk for long hours. It was a treat to see the house full of relatives chatting and made me feel good. The day they left was tough to bear and I would always look forward to their next visits.

My RICH dad was living ahead of his times when he decided to go abroad to Jordan, buying a color television when the whole neighborhood was thinking of black and white which some purchased for Asiad and also booking the first lot of Maruthi 800 cars. The memories we cherish will linger on.

I remember when we saw “Kaagaz Ke Phool” as a family, our first ever Hindi movie on television in the year I guess in 1984. I remember how my father explained to me the story and I enjoyed songs of Rafi and Geeta Dutt. Ever since I have been a big fan of Rafi, thanks to my Dad for getting those old cassettes of Lahore night while he was in Jordan for a short trip. I always enjoyed watching Guru Dutt movies ever since.

We are in World cup cricket mood and I  remember the call my father got from his friend on the landline when India won the world cup in Lords. We as a family were thrilled, I’m not sure how we enjoyed the rest of the night.

I cannot forget this episode when a neighbor’s car was parked in our car porch. It so happened that a lot of people used to think that my father had bought a car. He used to jokingly tell us how he felt good about it. It was on this car that he was taken to the hospital when the call came.

June 5th marks another year since I lost my father 35 years back. As they say, ” Years accumulate and our wounds turn into water and reflect the unlikely glimmer of happiness in moments of remembrance“. 

My goal is to become a RICH DAD (Dad and Daughters)  so that my daughters can enRICH others. As Frank A Clark said, “A father is a man who expects his son to be as good a man as he meant to be.”

I was driving on the outer ring road at 60kms/ hr yesterday. I was thinking, hearing the podcast and suddenly I saw a sedan overtaking me and cutting my lane. I stumbled for a moment, then I saw the message written on the rear windshield “Dad’s Gift”.

Ever since I’ve been thinking, what is my Dad’s gift?  The answer came to me as I got out of my bed today morning: “My mother.” Our life was on a cozy lane and suddenly it was cut short. My mother had to reinvent herself and we started our life on a new lane. A few things which she has taught me without teaching me are “Courage to face yourself every day” and “It is in the discomfort zone that we build confidence.” 

Finally, I share a few lines from the song “father and son” ( changed slightly )

The older I get
The more I can see
How much he loved my mother and my sister and me
And he did the best that he could
And I only hope when I get a chance 
That every day I see
A little more of my father in me