Take a deep breath as you walk through the doors,
It’s the morning of your very first day as you enter your second innings.
We are lost in reminiscences of those days filled with adventures in the moors,
Memories bring back more memories as we now cherish all your winnings.
8+ years old you were when to Sanawar’ you went away,
The place gave you memories that you can narrate all day.
It’s time for you to rest your mind and brush the cobwebs away,
As I take you back in time which may now seem like eons away.
At 17+ you went rolling into NDA,
For you knew it was here that your passion lay.
Friends for life you made who would change your life thereon,
Your animated stories and anecdotes were those to which people were drawn.
An epitome of serenity, whose legacy will live on,
Pleasant, calm, patient and loving all the qualities that you adorn.
We are lucky to have your blood run in our veins,
For it gives us the strength to climb life’s rocky terrains.
You are the Phantom in the good and bad times,
You gave us everything and taught us to control life’s reins.
You believed in all three of us and encouraged us to fly,
You make me want to be better and encourage me to try
You were the shield that kept all storms at bay,
Fights that ensued among the female trio.
You resolved them better than Sherlock and Poirot,
You make us come together every single day.
You wear your scars with pride and courage,
And give us a place to let out our secrets and umbrage.
I’ll always be proud of having you as my father,
For there is no one else as brave, giving and stronger.
You are the bravest man I know,
You’ve overcome hurdles all of which have made you grow.
You are my father I can proudly say,
To anyone and everyone all day.
You were the ray of light during our darkest times,
You taught us to overcome hurdles and face life’s climbs.
I met you many years ago,
You held my hand and helped me stay afloat.
All the trials and tribulations that would throw,
You encouraged me to Never Give In and face them, for they'd help me grow.
You make my life beautiful and purposeful,
You encouraged me to dream once again.
You taught me right from wrong,
And struck the chords to tune my life like the right song.
Forever may not last in a pragmatic sense,
But it’ll last for my love which is so very dense.
I’m glad you are mine to be called,
For this bond shall never be broken or overhauled.
You are our midnight sun,
And you always encouraged me to be someone.
Our father is a hero and who wears a uniform,
He with his medallion is someone you cannot outperform.
My father recently retired from the Indian Army. This was meant to be an ode to him.
For your reference- Sanawar is a boarding school in north India and NDA is the Military Academy.