When we speak of parents
We usually refer to the mother
More than the father
Which is quite unfortunate
Because fathers are equally special
Of course, it is the mother
Who has to suffer through labour
And its unspeakable pain
In order to bear the child
However, once the child is born
The role of the father
Becomes equally important
Coming to my own experience
I could not have asked
For a better father
He has been there for me, no matter what
Taking me almost anywhere
Whether it be India
Or the rest of the world
A special mention to the train trips
Since it is only due to my Dad
That the Railways hold such a special place in my heart
Next to the Railways
Pride of place goes to cricket and tennis
With Dad sponsoring my cricket coaching
And playing tennis with me and my sister
I will never forget
The India vs Bangladesh match at Birmingham
Nor all those Wimbledon finals
The events themselves were memorable
But it was Dad's company
That made them all the sweeter
Anyway, enough about sports
Without Dad's support
I would never have made it through school
Especially the transition from CBSE to ICSE
That too in the eighth standard
Moreover, not many fathers
Would've been as patient and understanding
As mine was, during my engineering struggles
Which involved notching up seven arrears
However, the biggest challenge was my professional life
My first job was full of ups and downs
And towards the end
I felt like a fish out of water
Plunging from crisis to crisis
And eventually being forced to resign
And take a break from work
During these difficult times
Dad not only arranged my counselling
But also stood by my side like a rock
Putting up with whatever tantrums I threw
And this continued during my second job
Which turned out to be a nerve-wracking experience
Ultimately ending in a termination
After six months of hard toil
Coming to recent times
During my trainwreck of a marriage
And the subsequent divorce process
Dad and I ended up getting closer than ever
And I hope this only continues
Though of course for happier reasons!
So, as I said earlier
Fathers are equally special as mothers
Full stop

My father said,
My dear son I love you very much.

I wept,
surprised by his affection
in the midst of my daily afflictions.
This outpouring
overflowed into my heart
and spilled out with tears.

I've dreamed of me holding someone's hand,
Someone who I don't recognize his face when I wake up.
I grow up with my mom on my right side,
and envy and jealousy with other children in my left side.

Every night the same dream invaded my mind,
Every morning I will try to remember his face but couldn't.
Every weekdays I found myself asking why is my family different,
Every weekends I will wake my mom early asking why does our family is incomplete.

Monday morning my mother's face looks different,
Her smile changed from sweet to vibrant.
Tuesday noon an unfamiliar man stand beside her,
With a mixed emotion type of smile full of sadness, happiness and excitement.

Wednesday night I caught the stranger crying with my mom,
I don't understand why but they're both smiling while crying.
Thursday midnight I was shocked that I have a dad,
I was furious that all this time I have a complete family but never felt it.

Friday dawn, I decided to leave our home.
I decided to hate my father for leaving me behind.
I blame him because I was bullied and was called an illegitimate child.
Still, I'm longing for him to call me "my son"

Saturday came and night is near,
I close my eyes and let the nightmare in.
Nightmare didn't came, a man stand beside me holding my hand,
I looked who it was and it strike me it was him all this time.

Sunday I came home running to my fullest to reach our house as fast as I could,
There he was hugging my mom whose crying right now.
Tears are starting to grow from my eyes,
I stop running to catch my breath and said "Thank God for the blessing you made".

"Mother!" I called, they both looked at me.
Their fears dissapeared and relief cave in.
I walk straight closing our gaps to each other,
"I'm sorry" I hug my mom and looked to the man "I missed you and I love you, Father"

Have you ever stopped to think,
   if tomorrow never comes;
Will your family know you love them,
   when your last day here is done?

Do you fill your life with earthly things,
   or work your life away;
Thinking money, fame or fortune,
   will get you through each day?

There's not one thing up on this earth,
   even those things God has given;
You can take with you upon your walk,
   through those pearly gates of Heaven!

God placed those loved ones in your care,
   He thought you'd do your best;
Have you nurtured, taught and loved them all?
   If not you've failed His test!

Now love, you see, is not a word,
   to be thrown at them each night;
But wrap them up many times each day,
   and forever hold on tight!

When you're angry, mad or hateful,
   thoughts floating in your head;
Don't say those words you're thinking now,
   but go to God instead!

Just show your family often,
   hug and hold them every day-
How much you love each one of them,
   then together kneel and pray!

Just ask My Lord, whose on His throne,
   to guide you from above;
He'll lead you family day by day,
   and fill you with true love!

Then follow God's example,
   and when your laid to rest;
Your love won't be in question,
   then yes, you'll pass His test!