Maggie's Recollections............look hard, they may be yours too!!!!!!!!!!

It was a sultry summer afternoon and Maggie sat in her porch, reclined on her easy chair. She never realized when her eyelids fell and she went spiraling into a little enchanting world of her own.

She remembered the first time her dad had taught to skate. She was an over-enthusiastic seven-year-old raring to learn something new. She was so excited she picked up skating on the very day her dad gifted her the pair of skates. Her dad beamed with justified pride when he saw his beloved daughter wheeling around!

She recalled how she had once wished for a giant teddy bear she’d seen in a shop window and longed to have one like it. And her dad had bought it for her birthday. How thrilled she was!!!!

And then there was the time when she was first leaving home to attend a boarding school. Her father had told her, “Always remember three things. First, Think before you act and do the right. Second, Compromise always, but never to the point of losing your self-respect. And lastly, always give others more or at least equal of what you expect of them, be it respect, love, freedom or support.” Maggie had never forgotten those golden words of advice and they had helped her make the most important decisions of her life with astonishing ease.

She joined university soon after high school and her dad never forced her to live his dreams. Instead, he urged her to go all out and fulfill her own. He was always the silent supporter and a source of immense strength to Maggie.

When Maggie got married, her dad wished her and her husband well and was still there to lend his ever-strong shoulder to his daughter each time she needed it – whether it was stress at home, tension at work, inability to make the right decision or anything else…….he was always there. He had held her index finger and taught her to walk but he never really left it even when she learnt to sprint and skate!

Her kids always enjoyed their holidays with dear ol’ grand-daddy as he always had something intriguing to show them, something valuable to teach them and something so invaluable they cherished it – his time! He never tired of answering their endless questions. He was a giver – he had given his all to the most important people in his life. He was a gentleman, a family man, a perfect man! Maggie suddenly realized that knowingly or unknowingly, she had always looked for characteristics of her dad in her life-partner!

She also recalled the innumerable times he had reprimanded her for things that seemed largely insignificant. But he had always been quick to forgive her – of course after making her feel thoroughly guilty for what she had done!!!!! He had always accepted her with all her faults – her tantrums, her temper, her adamancy and her ego. But he had also taught her to remain absolutely grounded – ALWAYS!

Yes, Maggie was an out-and-out Papa’s girl!!!!!!

A strong breeze blew Maggie’s hair onto her face and she was forced out of her reverie. As soon as she opened her eyes, she knew what she had to do. She ran to the telephone to tell the first MAN in her life what he meant to her!!!! A gruff voice at the other end of the line told her he’d been asleep but she didn’t care! “Happy Fathers’ Day, Dad!!!!! I love you!!!!!!!!!” she managed! Her dad was a bit taken aback but thrilled all the same…..thrilled beyond words!!!

Yes friends, I’m a day late…..Fathers’ Day was yesterday…….18th June. But what the heck??? I mean do we really need a day to tell him how much he means to us? Do we really need an excuse?????? Tell you what……………do as I say? Get up from where you’re seated, go engulf your dad in a mega hug, plant a kiss on his cheek and tell him what Maggie told her dad…..and do this irrespective of whether you’re a “son” or a “daughter”!!!!! And don’t forget to tell me how it felt!!! I bet nothing felt better…….not even hot chocolate on a chilly winter’s day!!!!

Don’t wait for occasions to tell people what they mean to you. Tell it to them and make it an occasion! Not just your dad….anybody…….mom, granddad, grandma, uncle, aunty, cousins, friends, anybody….tell them what they mean to you if its really true!!!!!!! Don’t wait for the “right” time…..it may never come....and if and when it does, it may be too late! Tell people and watch their face glow with pride and happiness!!! Go do to your mom what you just did to your dad (I’m assuming you did it!!!) and watch her wanting to dance in joy! What better gift to give to your parents – the two most genuine and important souls in your life who care for you all through their life and yours????!!!!!!!!! They deserve that and much more!!!!

So here’s to my dad………who’s miles away from me…………sending you a hug and a kiss to tell you that you’re simply the BEST!!!! I love you, dad…….Happy Fathers’ Day…..today, everyday!!!! And to my mom……….the epitome of unconditional love……..here’s to you, too........all my love, always!!!!!!!!

Hope my article threw light on the value of our “janm daataas” and inspired you to celebrate their existence day after day!!!!!!

Disclaimer: All characters (there are very few anyway!) and events in this story are entirely figments of my restless imagination and any resemblance to any person living or dead is not coincidental, its natural, because its based on events that hold special importance in all our lives!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So till next time, from slo, this is Tally-Ho!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!