My daddy... strongest!!

Yesterday was Father's Day! Each year we would wish our Dad, have a good meal and get him some gifts, our duty as kids done. And once the day was over, life was back to normal. Yesterday, however, was different. Daddy was not around... we lost our father on June 7th, his 82nd birthday. He was fighting lung cancer, and while we knew the pain he was going through we weren't prepared to let him go. Today, I know there isn't anything that one can do to be prepared to let go of our parents. Even when we choose to move homes or towns and build the distance, our parents make sure they are moments away - and no we don't appreciate that - we want our space. It is only when the time has gone that we remember to be grateful for what we have. As yesterday on Father's day, we paused to reflect on the beautiful memories and to be grateful for the experience we had, as a way to celebrate the life of our father. And I share these memories with you today!

Our Daddy, Alfred Williams was born in a middle class family in a small town Kota in Rajasthan back in 1942. ?And while he came from a humble background, the rajwadi blood continued to flow, and my father lived his life King size. ?

He was a demanding husband, a strict brother and a disciplining father. ?A devout Christian, he served as an alter boy for 20 years, at every Mass. ?He was called "chota bishop" by everyone in the church community at Ambala. It was a standing rule we had to be in church 15 minutes earlier and we had to wait till almost everyone left because Daddy was in the sacristy settling everything. ?And for all his service to the church his family received immense blessings.

We never reached school late and we had to explain a delay beyond 5 minutes when we got back home. ?At one time he left, my sisters in school, just to discipline them, because they were 3 minutes late at the school exit gate. ?I remember when I had to go out of town to study, I was afraid to take the bus, for a month he would drop me off and then come back to pick me in the evening. And for the next two years, he would wait at the bus stop each evening, waiting to make sure I got back safe. ?

As adults we moved on in our lives and we would come back to visit our parents home. ?We would talk about what we had experienced and he would always nod saying “mujhe pata hai - uska ghar backside me hai” (I know, his house is at the reverse end). As much as I tried, I could never get him to correct his choice of words :-). I remember him once being extremely sad as he told me a sorrowful tale of someone he seemed to knew closely, only for me to realise much later that it was about a character in his favourite tele series.

He was a man who would not pause, ready to dance on Punjabi pop, bollywood or Tollywood music. He was enthused with energy and excitement, a young man at heart. ?He was passionate for WWE and his prized possession was the Champion belt - one he rightly deserved for having watched every match and its replay sitting at the edge of his chair. ?I found his diary, it had the results for each match between 2012 to 2017, neatly recorded page by page.

His favourite colour was red, he loved his cowboy hats, stylish neckties, bling watches and belts, colourful shades, and numerous shoes. Our dad had a colourful life, he enjoyed every moment, lavish and stylish - one that would befit a King.?The raja would always sing - le gayi dil gudiya Japan ki - except that his real life Gudiya came from amchi Mumbai.

While in his last few days, his illness changed him, we continue to remember him fondly for the life he led and we pray that he continues to be a King in his journey in his afterlife, in continued bliss and happiness! We all miss you Daddy!