To my daddy
Dear Daddy,
We had our disagreements. A lot. To this day, I don't call you as much as I call mom. But, daddy you have, you are, and you will always be the man I will look up to.
In my defense, I thought the obvious. Somehow subconsciously, I thought you always wanted a son. Well, it was just so normal for my childish brain wasn't it? Your mom, my grandmom, and your siblings always made it a point to bring our gender into the conversation. Always. And you stood there in silence. Not because you agreed with what they had to say, but because you have never been an assertive person, to begin with. I took your silence for your affirmation. For your own assertion. Though not a single day in our entire lives did we hear you say those words out loud or even insinuate it.
In fact, you were way too patient with a stubborn, hard to satisfy, and a snobbish kid like me. Even when mom would lose her calm, you would make sure that I was okay, doing fine. Every single time I failed at something I undertook, you made sure you encouraged me instead of slapping me on my failure. It was something completely different growing up in a culture like ours with a father like you. I didn't get to spend much of my childhood with both you and mom, but I do understand the quirks of working parents, more so of those chasing their dreams, trying to make a better life for their kids. I constantly complained about you never being able to attend any of my school events and throughout my school life mom taking care of everything. I hated it. I hated it that you were the silent player, the quiet one, who had major stakes in almost all the decisions concerning everything but, chose to play it quietly. Cause, growing up I still believed in gender stereotypes. Because daddy remember the society I grew up in?
People categorized gender roles.
And, the household you and mommy gave me and didi was a bit unconventional. Mommy was the in charge on the outside, you weren't. Mommy played your roles and that made me wonder if you did your share ever. I was wrong. Now, at this age, I look at the way everything worked in our household and how that actually made me and didi the way we are today. Strong, independent women who do not back out from anything or from putting forth our opinions. You made us believe that education was the only way we could achieve bigger dreams and goals. And till date, you have relentlessly pushed us to be our best version. You are the one I call and cry, to this date. As I look back, there is nothing I would want to undo or change. As far as I am concerned, I had a very happy childhood. Truly happy adulthood despite our constant arguments, because you made sure that I would have all that I ever wanted. Even today you make sure that I keep striving to be better, and you keep giving your life hacks and advice. I am proud to be your daughter, daddy. You might want to believe that you haven't achieved as much as you could, but for me, you achieved a lot, and you are still out there changing lives, doing your best. I am one lucky soul to have such awesome parents like you and mom. You are the person that makes me realize how I should never stop, but should always learn to be happy in whatever I venture out to do.
I wish I could find a man (who's a bit more assertive than you). A man who loves his wife with his whole heart, and his daughters more than anyone could ever love anything.
And, daddy, you have, you are and you will always be my hero.
Lots of love,
Your Loving Daughter.
We had our disagreements. A lot. To this day, I don't call you as much as I call mom. But, daddy you have, you are, and you will always be the man I will look up to.
In my defense, I thought the obvious. Somehow subconsciously, I thought you always wanted a son. Well, it was just so normal for my childish brain wasn't it? Your mom, my grandmom, and your siblings always made it a point to bring our gender into the conversation. Always. And you stood there in silence. Not because you agreed with what they had to say, but because you have never been an assertive person, to begin with. I took your silence for your affirmation. For your own assertion. Though not a single day in our entire lives did we hear you say those words out loud or even insinuate it.
In fact, you were way too patient with a stubborn, hard to satisfy, and a snobbish kid like me. Even when mom would lose her calm, you would make sure that I was okay, doing fine. Every single time I failed at something I undertook, you made sure you encouraged me instead of slapping me on my failure. It was something completely different growing up in a culture like ours with a father like you. I didn't get to spend much of my childhood with both you and mom, but I do understand the quirks of working parents, more so of those chasing their dreams, trying to make a better life for their kids. I constantly complained about you never being able to attend any of my school events and throughout my school life mom taking care of everything. I hated it. I hated it that you were the silent player, the quiet one, who had major stakes in almost all the decisions concerning everything but, chose to play it quietly. Cause, growing up I still believed in gender stereotypes. Because daddy remember the society I grew up in?
People categorized gender roles.
And, the household you and mommy gave me and didi was a bit unconventional. Mommy was the in charge on the outside, you weren't. Mommy played your roles and that made me wonder if you did your share ever. I was wrong. Now, at this age, I look at the way everything worked in our household and how that actually made me and didi the way we are today. Strong, independent women who do not back out from anything or from putting forth our opinions. You made us believe that education was the only way we could achieve bigger dreams and goals. And till date, you have relentlessly pushed us to be our best version. You are the one I call and cry, to this date. As I look back, there is nothing I would want to undo or change. As far as I am concerned, I had a very happy childhood. Truly happy adulthood despite our constant arguments, because you made sure that I would have all that I ever wanted. Even today you make sure that I keep striving to be better, and you keep giving your life hacks and advice. I am proud to be your daughter, daddy. You might want to believe that you haven't achieved as much as you could, but for me, you achieved a lot, and you are still out there changing lives, doing your best. I am one lucky soul to have such awesome parents like you and mom. You are the person that makes me realize how I should never stop, but should always learn to be happy in whatever I venture out to do.
I wish I could find a man (who's a bit more assertive than you). A man who loves his wife with his whole heart, and his daughters more than anyone could ever love anything.
And, daddy, you have, you are and you will always be my hero.
Lots of love,
Your Loving Daughter.
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