The above advertisement does make you go Awww, doesn’t it? Fathers are our pillars of strength. Traditionally the breadwinners in our families, they left the mothering to the moms. I can’t help but think back about my own dad. My early relationship with him was a little distant. He was quiet and very particular about discipline. With mom, it was different. We could hug her, trouble her, and disobey her all in good spirit. We could also joke around with her and hug her all we wanted. However, dad was the disciplinarian. As soon as he came home from work, the three of us would maintain calm and silence.
He was a reassuring presence in the family. I remember that he helped me with Maths problems though I would only approach him when all other recourses were exhausted. He wouldn’t hug us or guide us or advise us. I distinctly remember an incident when my brother and I were playing outside our Apartment in Mumbai with some other kids in the area close to the lift. Before leaving for his walk, dad warned us to go home as it was getting late. But, we being kids, continued to play right uptil he came home. Incidentally, another girl and I tripped and scraped our hands. The other girl’s father came and comforted her and applied some medicine. Dad immediately got mad at me for not having gone home when he told me to. He paid no attention to my pain or bruise. His words of admonishment hurt much more than the real wound. At that time, I remember feeling distinctly, “Why couldn’t he be like that friend’s dad?”
A father is someone you look up to, no matter how tall you grow!
Of course, I saw his sterling qualities and democratic approach in the family much later in life. He had also opened up and become more friendly. He loved his daughters and supported us through thick and thin. I saw how fair, honest and responsible he was. Those who have been reading my blog would know that he is the person who inspires me the most in life.
Isn’t that how dads are? I see my own husband. He is a very hands-on father, much more approachable to the kids, more demonstrative in his affection yet a stickler for discipline with them.
Look around and you will find a lot of doting dads taking quiet pride in their sons and daughters, egging them on while not being as expressive as their partners. They are our silent crusaders. They are the pillars we go to when our world seems to be in a mess aware that they will set it right no matter how difficult. While moms anchor a family, fathers are the glue that strengthen the bond quietly and unobtrusively putting their strength and integrity behind the wellbeing of their family. They may not say it so often, but their actions tell you of their love.
Here’s my toast to my #GreatDad, to the dad of my kids and to all the wonderful fathers out there who are often unsung heroes.
Rachna says 
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