Appa, as I remember, was someone who was always glued to Newspaper. He
seldom watched TV. On weekends he was immersed in books, magazines or the
very famous Readers Digest. While other dad’s taught their children, how to
ride bicycle, my Appa, taught me how to befriend Books. He had once said, “Books
will always give you company and you will never feel lonely”. It’s so true.
Friends came and went, but the characters in the books I read stayed along with
me. They spoke to me, they cried, they shared their happiness, they made me
smile. Even now, when I am lost or feeling low, I pick up my favourite book (I’ve
a collection of around 500 books), read and relax. It’s quite therapeutic.
seldom watched TV. On weekends he was immersed in books, magazines or the
very famous Readers Digest. While other dad’s taught their children, how to
ride bicycle, my Appa, taught me how to befriend Books. He had once said, “Books
will always give you company and you will never feel lonely”. It’s so true.
Friends came and went, but the characters in the books I read stayed along with
me. They spoke to me, they cried, they shared their happiness, they made me
smile. Even now, when I am lost or feeling low, I pick up my favourite book (I’ve
a collection of around 500 books), read and relax. It’s quite therapeutic.
Last year when Appa visited me, I showed him my blogs. He read some of
the posts and immediately started to point out the errors, how I could have
done away with some words and how some words could have added more effect to my
poems. To say that I was annoyed would be an understatement. I was hoping to
get an appreciation and all I got was a lecture on how I could improve my
grammar skills.
the posts and immediately started to point out the errors, how I could have
done away with some words and how some words could have added more effect to my
poems. To say that I was annoyed would be an understatement. I was hoping to
get an appreciation and all I got was a lecture on how I could improve my
grammar skills.
But that’s how Appa was. No matter how well the house was kept, no
matter how well I scored in English, he always believed that there was scope of
improvement. This attitude of his, made me push my boundaries. At times it was
stressful, however, I longed for a word of appreciation from him. Appa seldom
expressed his feelings. I remember him hiding his tears, when my sister got
married. I knew how much he missed her; however, he even refused to accept that.
matter how well I scored in English, he always believed that there was scope of
improvement. This attitude of his, made me push my boundaries. At times it was
stressful, however, I longed for a word of appreciation from him. Appa seldom
expressed his feelings. I remember him hiding his tears, when my sister got
married. I knew how much he missed her; however, he even refused to accept that.
He now stays in Coimbatore, enjoying his retired life, amidst nature. I
called him today, to wish him, ‘Father’s Day’. I spoke to him for about one
hour.
called him today, to wish him, ‘Father’s Day’. I spoke to him for about one
hour.
For the first time in 28 years, he said, he is super proud of me. He said
that I am a ‘Super Woman’, and that he really wonders from where I get the
energy to keep going. I was completely surprised
to hear these words from him. I am smiling, as I type this out. I am
speechless, really.
that I am a ‘Super Woman’, and that he really wonders from where I get the
energy to keep going. I was completely surprised
to hear these words from him. I am smiling, as I type this out. I am
speechless, really.
 |
| So proud to be your Daughter |
All I can say is I am truly grateful to have you AppaJ
Dearest Appa,
Maybe you will read this, maybe you will not.
Maybe you will cry if you read this, maybe you will not.
Maybe you will hide your tears behind your specs….
Or maybe for just once you will shed those inhibitions,
Maybe just once you will tell that you really miss me,
Maybe just once you will hold me and say you are proud of me,
Maybe just once you will say that I am an apple of your eye,
Maybe just once you will say that you love me…!
Maybe…!
 |
| Some smiles with Appa and Chitti ! |
However,
I say this to you
today, I am proud to be your daughter,
today, I am proud to be your daughter,
I say this to you
today, I am grateful for all that you did for me,
today, I am grateful for all that you did for me,
I say this to you
today, I am proud to have you as my APPAJ
today, I am proud to have you as my APPAJ
Today is really an unforgettable day for me, one of the happiest days!!! Yayyyy!!!!!
How was your
Sunday? Share it with me
I say this to you today, I am proud to be your
daughter,
I say this to you today, I am grateful for all
that you did for me,
I say this to you today, I am proud to have you as
myHowever,
I say this to you today, I am proud to be your
daughter,
I say this to you today, I am grateful for all
that you did for me,
I say this to you today, I am proud to have you as
my!
Sunday? Share it with me
I say this to you today, I am proud to be your
daughter,
I say this to you today, I am grateful for all
that you did for me,
I say this to you today, I am proud to have you as
myHowever,
I say this to you today, I am proud to be your
daughter,
I say this to you today, I am grateful for all
that you did for me,
I say this to you today, I am proud to have you as
my!
Be Positive, Be Grateful,
Love,
Gayu
***Touched***
Yes Gayu you are really a very wonderful super woman I know and I am proud to have known you 🙂
Love the way you love life and yes there is a lot I need to learn from you!
Super women, lovely wife , caring mom
Jayu..this is the first time i ever clicked on ur blog site (Just because its today when i realised that Jayashree Iyer has a blog)..keep going girl…i may not promise to read every bit that u may write…but I promise to share the feelings as and when..
For what you have written about appa…feeling is mutual 🙂
tons of love n wishes..
Archie
WOW! Gayatri you are a fitting daughter of a wonderful father. You are a super-duper woman. And yes your father is right in saying that with books you will never be lovely. The characters come out live to dwell in our hearts.