An Ode to Amazing Fathers
who raise strong and independent daughters
“Anyone can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a dad”
I have seen all kinds of Father’s in this seemingly short life of mine. The caregivers, the namesakes, the providers, and then one’s like mine - whose biggest joy is their children especially daughters. I count my blessings every single day for being blessed with a father like mine and I am ever thankful to this bond that I live and experience everyday. Through all this uncertainty out there everyday, his love is the only beaming constant in my life that I need to keep going.
All those who know me know that I'm a daddy's girl through and through. My father is my best friend, guide, mentor, punching bag, pick me up, security blanket, advisor, protector, provider, giver and supporter. The one who thinks the world of me and feels that the sun shines out of my backside. Over the years, he has made me realize that I am all of that to him too and it fills me with joy to be that for him.
It's not always rosy and loving, we have our share of fights and arguments where I may stop talking to him for days but he is one person who I cannot remain angry for long. I wouldn't hesitate to dedicate all those solemn quotes about a Daddy and daughter to him. There is no match for the unconditional love that my Dad gives me and no one could hold a candle to how dedicated he is towards my siblings and me. I have the advantage of being his first born and his obvious favorite. I'm not bragging just stating facts. Even my siblings and the extended family are aware of this and have more or less accepted it. Not that he treats them any differently.
He truly is the wind beneath my wings and I've inherited a lot of things from him - except his height. The love for long holidays comes from him. We both enjoy the pleasure of traveling in long journey trains, of spending 8-10 days of exploring cities and trying the local vegetarian food.
Our family holidays were never planned by travel agents and tour operators. It was always Dad sitting us all down, deciding on a destination and planning it all on our own. He encouraged my curiosity, welcomed my questions and patiently explained everything. We would reach the railway station way before time, and he would take my for long walks on the platform, explain what the different indicators meant, how to identify which trains were headed where based on their names, how to check confirmed status of your ticket before an app was existent, where the coach position was going to be and how to make a perfect train bed.
I was 16 when I took my first train journey by myself. There were no mobile phones then to constantly stay connected and give updates - it was just his unflinching trust in me to figure things out on my own that I could do it.
He was the one who held my hand throughout the time that I was dealing with my undiagnosed depression. He understood how I was reeling from the crash and burn of my dreams and constantly sent encouraging messages. He is an expert in giving me my space while still hovering around to make sure I'm okay.
He encourages me to see the world, experience all the things that he couldn't have because he started working right from when he was 16 years old, shares all his experiences with me and is my strongest safety net. Thanks to the friendship that we share, I don't ever feel hesitant to call him when I'm in trouble. He just calms me down and nudges me to think through it rationally and come out of it. He is the Bhaskor Bannerjee to my Piku.
It's going to be almost 4 months now that I've moved out from home to my little haven here. My phone is filled with pictures of what I eat for lunch everyday cos Dad wants to know what I ate or if I ate at all. He calls me with glee when it rains back home just to make me smile. While I reflect on these months with joy, he calls me and tell me that this has been the longest he's been away from me since I was born.
I have an amazing bond with my Mom but what I have with Dad is indescribable. I could wax eloquent about this endlessly if it were up to me but I know you get the gist.
If this has made you all weepy like I'm right now, pick up the phone and call your Dad. If he is next to you, just give him a bear hug for all that he has done and keeps doing. And if he is not with you, just send a smacking kiss out there cos he will never stop watching over you.