Thatha...

It's a day to remember Thatha today... His Birthday...

He was the one to teach me a lot of things in life.... He was the one to learn Telugu alphabet just for the sake of teaching me.... He was the one who took care of me when my mother was busy with my newborn sisters....

He shared his deepest secrets with me... And told me the way of life...

I was his pet... Even on his death bed, he called me and advised me on what kind of a life I should lead and the best ways to improve myself...

He was very good at using idioms during his conversations like "Yaane Kutti podum nu paatha, oru mootai ladhdhi potudhu" (While we were eagerly waiting for the elephant to give us a baby, it gave us a heap of shit!)... :-)

He also would use a lot of sanskrit analogies to life... His favorite was Bhaja Govindham... He would read Vishnu Sahasranamam every evening and wanted me to learn it also. I remember sitting with him on many days and reading the slokam...

It has a very peculiar way of smiling... Whenever he would smile his lips would droop down, rather than spreading up (The way we draw a smiley).. My mother has inherited the same smile and I remember thatha in her smile...

He was very methodical... I have learnt making to-do list from him. He would also always carry a shoulder bag while going out. Even I do the same... He led a very simple life and probably resting in heaven now! :-)

Thatha, I miss you a lot!