Father’s Day 2022

By Published On: 4 Sep '22Last Updated: 4 Sep '22

It’s 20 years since my father died – on 21 October 2002 to be precise!

Today is your day dad. Even if you are not by my side, I want to take a few minutes to talk and think about you. No matter how many years have passed, you will always remain close and enveloped with my love.

As I mark this Father’s Day, I would like to send a dove to my dad in heaven, to convey my heartfelt thanks and gratitude for being there to nurture me along with my mum. My dad was my hero, and I will always be thankful for his unconditional love for me and for all his children.

My father was the most important person in my life. He made me laugh, he gave me so much love and cuddles. I know now that no one will ever love me as much as my dad! Dad, you were, are and always will be the best dad in the world!!

HAPPY DAY, DAD. WITH LOVE TO BOTH OF YOU.

To celebrate this Father’s Day, I like to take a few moments to focus upon some good memories, the things that are great about my dad and the things that we shared together as ‘Father’ and ‘Daughter’.

I think about my time with dad when I was in junior school and how he used to wait for me near the main gate to come back from school. I think about the music we used to play on our authentic and antique look timber based HMV Manual ‘Gramophone’, a special piece which was purchased by my grandparents (Alice and Marian Coelho) for their home in Mahim, Bombay (now Mumbai). The ‘Gramophone’ had a needle that touches the groove and the records had different music on both sides. My grandma would wind it up manually with a crank on side to resound the music loudly through the horn. My dad and grandma Alice, loved playing these records and would sit and enjoy listening to them although, I do not have a recollection of what songs were played. I remember the music to be sounding very jazzy and I reckon my passion for jazz music started when I was in junior school listening to these records.

They were possibly Bing Crosby songs but I do not recall very clearly!!

I think about Monthi Fest (Feast of our Lady of Nativity), Christmas Eve, the times I was unwell, and birthdays of all my siblings. We neither had cakes nor any big celebration for birthdays, however, my mum always made us feel special by buying green cellophane wrapped chocolates then called as “Parry’s” to take to school and share with our classmates. These chocolates had the classic taste of milk in a crunchy, crackling candy. All children loved these chocolates including my dad!!

My dad was a quiet man and not a great talker. I think about the time when I will always be “Lavila” to my dad, as he preferred to call me ‘My Lavila” and it makes me smile even today. I was his Angel and now he is my Angel!!

Thank you dad, for all that you were and you will always be special in my heart. I love you so much!

Happy Father’s Day to you in heaven!!

Delicious food for Father’s Day

My dad loved his drinks and cigarettes – he would hold his thumb to his index finger and say to my mum – a drop for me Stella!!!