5 minutes

Dear Dad,

THANK YOU.

For lifting me in your strong wide arms and enveloping me in the tightest hug possible. It gave that 1-year-old me the confidence, that there will always be one man I can unhesitatingly take refuge in.

For practising your photography skills on me. You captured beautiful childhood memories of mine in that camera of yours, which the 2-year-old me will grow up to cherish for a lifetime.

For narrating mythological stories and reciting the prayers from the religious scriptures. The 3 year old me was enamoured by the concept of spirituality and God, thanks to your wise words.

For buying me my enormous collection of board games and encouraging me to play with them. When you lost on purpose, it taught that 4-year-old me the feeling of competitiveness. When you won on purpose, it taught me sportsmanship.

For dropping me off to school and letting go of my tightly held hand. Your smile and cheerful words taught the 5-year-old teary eyed me, to walk ahead towards new beginnings without wavering.

For making me listen to evergreen songs of talented artists like Kishore Kumar, RD Burman, Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley and renowned bands like Modern Talking, ABBA, Boney M and many more. The 6-year-old me learnt the art of culminating a good taste in music from you.

For helping me complete my elaborate school projects. Your tireless efforts and creative ideas taught that 7-year-old me to think outside the box.

For taking me outdoors to the beach, garden, mountains and even the desert. The 8-year-old me learnt to love, respect and cherish Mother Nature.

For uplifting my spirits in spite of my poor marks in Mathematics. You conquered my hatred for Maths with your love for it. It taught the 9 year old me to face my fears.

For sponsoring the education of numerous children anonymously and helping the unprivileged whenever possible. The 10-year-old me realised the value of charity and the importance of actions over mere words.

For urging me to pursue my hobbies be it writing, art or dance with at most passion and vigour. It taught the 11-year-old me to be multifaceted.

For being such a wonderful welcoming host to my friends of different genders, religions and even nationalities. The 12-year-old me observed the significance of acceptance of people across boundaries.

For being critical and careful with your praises towards my high grades and other successes. It helped the 13-year-old me to stay grounded and humble.

For cracking all your never ending series of poor jokes, puns and situational humour. The 14-year-old me inculcated a good sense of humour thanks to her Daddy Cool!

For always giving me a little extra pocket money than what I ask for, yet teaching me the importance of using it wisely. An introduction to financial management and generosity were two topics the 15-year-old me learnt at a steady pace.

For setting the clocks in the house at least fast minutes late. The 16-year-old disorganised me, learnt her lesson in punctuality in this way.

For rolling your eyes and increasing the volume of your voice as the only forms of punishment to reprimand me. The 17-year-old me learnt to be disciplined and obedient, but most importantly she learnt nonviolence.

For encouraging me to commute on my own be it walking, using a cab or auto. The 18- year-old me realised that when she leaves for college, you won’t be there to drop her off to college unlike school.

For motivating me to choose my own stream of education, to walk in the opposite direction of the crowd if need be. It gave the 19-year-old me the freedom of making her own choices and taking responsibility for them.

For nagging me to read the newspaper and to brush up on my current affairs. The 20-year-old me knows the importance of your words but still prefers to hear the same news narrated to her in detail by YOU.

For holding my hand while crossing the road, in spite of my adulthood. It reminds me that I will always be My Daddy’s Little Princess.

For asking me to teach you few tricks on using the social media and other gadgets. It taught me that there is no end to learning, be it from someone older or younger than you.

There is no end to the values, skills and knowledge you have consciously or subconsciously taught me. And there will be no end. A handsome, tall man walked into my life when I could barely crawl and he will be there no matter what. His presence and aura need not be always be seen, but will always be felt.

Yes Papa that is the significance you have in my life.

And no amount of gratitude or thanks can be a suitable form of payment for all what you have done, are doing and will continue to do for me.

Behind every great daughter or son, is truly an amazing father.

So, thank you.

Love,

Your daughter