Food for thought !! Literally

 Once I and papa were alone at home, mom and sister had gone to our native place. It was very rare for such a thing to happen, but well it was pretty memorable one. 

Back then ordering from restaurant was not a thing. We used to get occasional junks, chicken chilly was my favorite. I used to await for those occasions, well this was one such opportunity I had thought, Unfortunately my dad thought of cooking some food at home. The staple food we used to have was rice, dal, some veggies and roti. 

I was disappointed already, seeing that not only am not getting the 'occasional' food but papa was cooking it at home. I had never seen him cook, I did not dare say anything in front of him. Yes papa was very friendly with me, but I had seen his angry avatar as well, it could get real scary. As a kid, if I dare to generalize this almost all the kids of any generation would think parents can get unreasonably pissed off. I smiled showed my terror in form of excitement on what was coming, well yes your emotions get misplaced at wrong moments. 

Lunch was served.

I gulped it all, it was in fact good. I loved it I ate more, not realizing it was limited. So as parents' do my father ate less than what I did, I think he was pretty happy and already was imagining the Chef hat on him. The obvious happened later that day.

I had stomach ache, I fell sick. Papa had a peculiar expression, like, well I can understand that reaction of his now. Kids are better left to mothers, they should have a tag around them saying 'don't even try, just leave it to mom'. Well I say this by experience, now that I have one of my own.

Mom came back and fixed me and I was good as new again.

I have this incident in my subconscious mind, every time I feel like cooking it just crops up. I miss him quite sometimes now, when am with my kid. We could have shared a few beers together, nah kidding, I don't think I could drink in front of him.

Relatively speaking

It used to be fun times visiting our village for summer vacations. More often my cousins and us used to gather at our native house during vacations. One vacation it so happened that only me and my dad went to our native place. Our aaji (grandmother) used to stay there as she had her freedom there and did not like the chaos of Bombay. 

I anticipated the stay to be very boring and so it was, we had to attend a wedding. The weddings' in the village were not as appealing to me. If I think of it neither the urban marriage functions were of any interest to me. You have to behave and be smiling to everyone around you, most of them you do not know for who they are, each one will pull your cheeks as a kid.

So we attended the wedding ceremony, and I was literally melting in the scorching summer. We gifted the newly wed couple, blessed them, and off went to the exciting part of the function - the buffet lunch. Ate as many ice-creams as I could and then we were off to our home.

Came the evening, we got invite from the newly weds parents unplanned dinner. My dad politely declined but aaji was all set for the dinner, bummer. My dad said lets go out to hotel as there would be no food at home. Aaji had already started dressing for the dinner party. I did not understand the reason why we were going to a hotel rather than the dinner invite, I was happy though.

We went out to the hotel, and I asked my dad why we are going to hotel (risked asking this only after we reached the hotel). He said the people only bitch about others the newly wed did call us out of gratitude, but the people around them are not as easy to get along. It is best to avoid places where people have toxic mentality. I asked then why we went to their wedding as well ? He continued, going to the wedding was our duty, we should respect the relations and also avoid unnecessary indulgence.

So that is what it means to be crisp and clear with your approach towards a third person. Something which I never been able to handle, my dad's guidance for keeping up with relations, would sure have helped.

Tribute to my father

 Today 15th July, is my father's birthday. If he was alive this would have been his 71st birthday.

Off late I am reminded of him a lot. I saw a standup video recently saying 'Father knows Better'

I am not sure if am allowed to share such links but until someone complains here it is Father knows Better

I am starting this blog chain to remember the subtle things my dad did which I did not recognize then but now I can totally relate and miss. 

I hope to pass on the learnings from my dad to my kid !!

Learning never stops ...

 

He was in his early 50's. They used to come young at that age, unlike our generation which collapses at mere 30's and 40's. The zeal he had to learn new ways was amazing. Always polished in his mannerisms and work ethics.

In his early 50's he started learning computer, probably his work required him to acquire this new skill. His meticulously written notes, his details on minor tasks, his dedication, giving time for post work studies. At that time I didn't realize the awesomeness of that hard work. 

He had completed his certification and was pretty proud of himself, wish I had joined his proud moment. He is not with us, but I reflect on his silent teachings. Teachings which I never realized. Wish he was around to guide me for taking career and life decisions.