There is a person in my life whom I
love more than myself. My first mentor. The person who believes in me more than
anyone else. The person who trusts me more than anyone would ever do. Ever
since I remember, I know how keen he had been to provide me with the best
things he could afford. I still remember the most precious memories of my
childhood. How I waited eagerly in the evenings till he came home. Every
evening I became the teacher at home to my only student, my father. No matter how
tired he was, he sat down with his tea in front of the blackboard to listen to
what I had learnt in school.
Next came the time for homework. I still have my
grade 1 and 2 books where he had drawn the difficult pictures that I couldn’t
draw or couldn’t find pictures to paste. During exam days, he used to wake me
up a little early and sit down with me until I finished studying. As my sisters
and brother grew up things changed a little. The students to whom I taught in
the evenings changed. I learned to complete all my homework by myself. I had to
share my father’s love with my two sisters and brother.
Yeah a lot of things change as we
grow up and it’s true. But in my story I would say that a lot of things were
transformed for the good. I have been a competing person since my childhood and
my father knew that fact very well. Maybe that is why he never questioned or
interfered any decision that I took in my life so far. He has always taught me to see the good things
in life. I remember the phrase which he tells me very often. “Don’t ever forget
anyone who has helped you even by a word,” From my school education to my Masters
degree I had my own freedom to decide on what I wanted to learn. From my first
ever job to whatever I do now were all up to me to decide. I had complete
autonomy in my life and I think it is the most important thing a parent can
give their child. I have a humble pride in what I have qualified so far, and
where I stand now, at my age. I have experiences at different places in
different levels. And now I have chosen my own life and I’m walking towards my
vision taking a step at a time.
Living away from home had been hard at first.
But it has taught me a lot of things. I learnt
what life is. Living by myself, earning and spending is not easy. I realized the
value of money. I learnt how to save and invest. I started Masters degree by myself.
I have had struggles and I still do, and the best part is that I find the
answers by myself. I have become an independent person and it is all because of
him. Even now, when I am the eldest and
this grown up, I’m still that little girl closest to his heart. Certain little things
in life don’t change, like this tremendous love I had and have for him forever.
I believe that I am the luckiest girl in the world to have a father like him.
Sometimes, I am amazed by the trust and pride he has in me. He has told me how
proud he is of me and I have already fulfilled his dreams. And to a daughter it
means the world. But I want to say this to him on his birthday.
Appachchi, I am
still a little stream flowing down slow and steady and there is way more to go
to join the sea......
