Friday, March 11, 2011

Who’s Your Father Figure??


Genetically anybody can be a Father but to be perceived as a ‘Father Figure’ is a challenge in itself. A Father Figure would be an important individual in one’s life who possesses the qualities of a Father, yet is not biologically related to you.
As we grow up we form our own definitions of things and people. Most of such definitions are more diverse than the number of hair on a human head but still some definitions are very much similar to each other. Some are even universally accepted and understood. ‘Father’ –is one word which comes under such a definition. A Father Figure is someone whom we believe to be a strong person, someone who can be relied upon all the time, someone who knows the right thing to do, someone who can just set things in perspective for us, a person with lot of knowledge, someone who can be anyone for our good-serious, humorous, emotional, lenient, strict, fun etc, someone who provides an awesome blend of emotions with practicality, all in all someone who is able to teach us how to be the best. A Father Figure is able to teach us without even letting us know that we are learning and we unknowingly strive to be like him because of the numerous examples he keeps setting for us of being the ‘Ideal man’.
Some people find their Father Figure very late in life, some are never able to figure out who their Father Figure is and there are few lucky ones who do not need to look for a Father Figure. It took me years to realize who my Father Figure is but I still consider myself very lucky that I was able to at least find him. People mostly find their Father Figure as they move along in life but I was privileged enough to have moved along with my Father Figure. He can rightfully call me his son as he is not only my Father Figure but he is ‘MY ‘FATHER’- ‘My Paa’. He is much more than what a Father Figure should be and nothing less than what the best Father could be.
This blog is dedicated to my dad on his 58 birthday. I would like to this opportunity to express some parts of my love and respect towards him. Paa, you are my idol in so many ways that the virtues itself sometimes run out to provide you the chance to set an example for me. But time and again you have given me enough reasons to be proud of you and to feel very lucky and gifted to have a Father like you. I would like to thank you with all my heart for always being there.
Paa, I still remember how people used to get shocked and asked you your age whenever I was introduced as your son. And it was even more amusing to look at their reactions when they would find out that am the younger one ;). Well I can only hope that I could be half as graceful as you are and would love to hear from others that you are like your Father.
Thank You Paa!! Wish you a very happy birthday. May you have many more.

10 comments:

  1. Dear Varun Beta. Beta, an expression my father would use sometimes. I am overwhelmed and do not think I deserve the eulogies. I learn that daughters see hero in their father. Had not thought of sons taking that route. All parents are good to their children, think and wish high for them. Every parent is protective of their brood, in their own ways, as best as they understand themselves, their world and things around it. When they appear to go wrong they probably could not think what else they could do, or had no choice or could not think one existed. They try to do the best they can. But they are humans. And open to challenges of survival, ignorance, neglect, frustration, health, recognition, growth, success, emotions. They are equally constrained by their genes, environment, training and learning.
    But it is a wonderful relationship. Expression has shifted from a controlled and constrictive nod to open public display. It feels good. Gives an aura to a person which otherwise would have remained within the confines of expectations or in an assumed certainty.
    All said and done it has pleased me a lot. It puts pressure on me to think what I need to do to maintain the high pedestal my son has put me on…..The verbose can go on. All the best my son. Let you overcome the challenges you have set for your self and become a source of inspiration, education and development to multitude of people

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  2. hey dad, what an amazing article! am sure uncle is really proud of you and trust me you would be an amazing dad someday.
    I say that by what i've experienced; i still remember my first day of college, what a scared, little, imbecile kid I was!! had it not been for your caring attitude and comforting ways i wouldn't have actually survived a lot of other things.
    you've been an extraordinary friend and the most amazing dad away from home. just wanted to tell you that you are the best!! love ya always,
    ur kid (always will be!!)

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  3. Spellbound, had tears ……. Fantastic. But need to be improvised can be better. U knows me buddy I leave no stone unturned until it’s perfect as “nature” …. I am sure by now you have the message. To be worked upon by “varunseanker” … keep writing articles like these and mesmerize the people like me

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  4. TNX A TON KIDO!!! meansss a lotttttt!!!
    love u tooo!!!

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  5. thank u bhai!! yes ur right and i shall try my best to be the best!!

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  6. sorry for the late comment (forgot as usual!) it's really sweet of you to dedicate this to your dad on his special day.. well written.. and it got me thinking about my own father(who for me too is my father figure)..
    the way we turn out to be has a lot to do with how are parents have brought us up.. n having known you for a year varun.. i am sure your parents are more awesome than you are! i hope i meet them someday.. :)

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  7. Wow!! I utter more than this, n I would be spoiling it.. Its just wow Varun..

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  8. Although it's a real love letter..what a wonderful way of showing gratitude and affection...loved the way your dad reciprocated..I wish we all could send such original bday wish to our parents
    All the best keep writing.

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