Dear Papa,
I remember the time when I was a kid, life was so simple and everything seemed easy, and now it all seems so complicated. There was a time when there were no worries other than the worries of a schoolchild because you were there to take care of everything and now it all seems so complicated. As I am writing this letter, I have a lot of thoughts and memories in my mind and through this letter, I want to express my love to you but it’s too hard to pen it down. I hope you know, how blessed I feel to have you in my life! I’m super proud to be your son and no words on paper can accurately express the love I feel for you.
I would like to thank you for lifting me in your strong wide arms and enveloping me in the tightest hug possible, it gave me the confidence that there will always be someone where I could take refuge in. I don’t remember the first time I walked or the first time I talked but when you talk about it, it makes you so excited and so happy that I will always cherish the memories during my lifetime. I am thankful to you for buying me those board games and the legos and encouraging me to play with them. I remember when we played chess and you use to lose on purpose, it taught me the feeling of competitiveness and when you use to win on purpose it and console me later it taught me sportsmanship.
It’s because of you that today; I can call myself strong and independent. From pushing me on a swing as a child to teaching me how to have morals and kindness, you have always kept my happiness and independence before everything else. Even when the chips were down and I was at my lowest, you offered me such sound advice. As I sat at home all down with low marks, you comforted me and said, “Pick yourself up, you are better than this. This is just a phase and it too shall pass.” You made me feel better and said the words I needed to hear. You ignited that fire and made me jump back on the horse. You use to quote Hanuman Chalisa and Ramayana and the words of dadaji that “hope for the best and prepare for the worst” and it always gave me strength and made me be ready for all the situations to come.
As days pass by and we grow older, I know deep down inside that no matter how old I get, I will always be your little son. You were sometimes way too strict and it felt bad but now I know it was for my own good. It took me 21 years to realize that inside that hard, strict exterior, there’s a lovable man who would do anything to see me smile. And it’s only after 21 years, that I realize that in you, I have a best friend.
It was the first time I heard from you that time and tide waits for none and it is so true I was once a child and now it all just seems a distant memory but I am thankful to have you as my dad. There are so many memories that I could write but it’s not as easy as it seems. The memories of childhood days and all that you have done to make our home a happy place and growing up such fun. I can still recall the walks we took, the games we played, those confidential chats we had during lake rounds and before sleeping at night. This letter comes to thank you, papa, for everything that you have done for me, that shaped my growing up days. No words of mine can tell you, papa, the things I really feel: but you must know that my love for you is so real and lasting. You made my world a better place. I will always keep these precious memories as cherished.
Wishing you a very happy birthday. I pray to God for blessing me with such an amazing father and that we will celebrate many of these birthdays together.
From Your Loving Son,
Vibhor