To Mamma Pappa :)

Dear Mama Papa,

As I sit down to write you a letter I am getting puzzled as to what should I actually write. We talk frequently and discuss almost everything, so I am not able to think of the stuff I can jot in this letter. I have a treasure trove of letters due to the letter writing habit inculcated in me by you both. Cannot thank you enough for this. I still remember the long letters we used to fondly write to each other, specially mama's letters - they always brought tears in my eyes. I vividly remember an episode from BTech hostel, where even my friends read mom's letter and cried. It is funny when I think of it now but it was my birthday and I got emotional. You gifted me Norman Vincent Peale's some positive thinking book that day as I was feeling really low. Sorry mom, I don't even remember the title. I never read that book properly. With you both being my pillars of support I never really needed a Norman Vincent or a Dale Carnegie . There were friends at school and at college who used to get awed looking at the bond we share. There were many people who used to barely make the ends meet and struggled to pay even the college and hostel fee. That is when I realized how much you both would have been planning every day to give priority to us and our needs.I still remember running in to papa's open arms during my short hostel stint of intermediate and crying my heart out LOUD bringing tears in Papa's eyes. Those numerous letters in which I was addressed as Dear Afshamma , Achi, Achu- they always make me emotional. You won't believe , I have tears in my eyes even now when I am recollecting all that. I sat in the sprawled lush green lawn of Chaitanya College's hostel and cried and longed to meet you both on the weekend. Letters were read in that hostel before they were declared safe and handed over to us which irked me beyond limits. I fumed when ever I took a letter from the warden. I missed Papa badly. I missed you too mama but I think Papa and me are connected in so many ways. We are photocopies of each other. A quick glance at both of us will obviously make anyone realize that I look exactly like him. When I saw papa during the parents' visit- weekend I came to know that a STRONG man like him can also get very emotional when kids stay away from him. It was a bliss to stay with you for 6 happening years after my 4 years of long hostel life. but I know I dumped all my mood swings, frustrations , temperaments on you both. 6 years got over like they were 6 months!

I used you both as my stress busters but never really acknowledged your worries, ailments or tensions. I don't know if I can say  sorry for this coz I am sure I may repeat doing that even now though not in the same intensity :( .I know my hot hotheadedness some times scares you mom but I also know that  you are very much aware of my sensitivities which are always a counter to my aggression or angst. You always used to say - "Don't spoil the precious moments with your mama papa. Later you may repent." Yes I do repent for not counting my blessings many times but now I am trying to change and relish each day and every moment with you. I guess distance does teach you a lot ! Sorry if I gave you too many tensions during my early twenties. Sorry if I was and am not matured enough during many occasions. Your opinion matters to me. I am independent when I am not with you both. I don't even bother about others' suggestions or decisions when I decide for myself but when I am with you both I always think that with your involvement I can improvise every thing. I can't imagine a life with out you both but I know what you will reply to this. Wherever I go around the globe I will always think of mama when ever I decide to do something and whenever I react to some one and do just like her. When ever I need to organize things I will remember Papa's check list and discipline and do accordingly. When life tries to pull me down I will try to take a break and try to think what papa does when life throws challenges at him. You both work as magic to me. My life has been smooth only due to your intervention and only due to your style of leaving me on my own when you had to!

I miss you every day and every hour and I only want to say that I love you with all my heart though it will never be equal to the amount of love I get from you both. I don't know what else I can write. I am already feeling very emotional today!

I want to add two separate notes for you both.

Mamma,

Please take care of your health. Do not stretch your self. Take care of your knees. Self love is more important than any kind of love. It is my dream to see you fit and fine again. I pray to God every day that your pain lessens and you can walk easily like before. At this juncture please don't give value to worthless people in your life who have stooped down to such low levels that you would never be able to reach them :). You have done more than enough for your kids. I know you will not think before spending every joule of your physical and mental energy for them but they have grown up a lot now. Now you can take a break. Take rest and work towards your goals, how ever small or big they might be. Have a "me" time for sure. Have it every day and do not forget to live for your self for some time every day!

Truck loads of love,
Afshu


Pappa,

The same note goes for you too but along with it, I just want to say- please relax and stay cool. Take a chill pill. I know work is your passion and I pray to God that you work till when ever you want to. *TOUCHWOOD*.  While most of your colleagues have retired and are resting at home, you want to continue your job which is perfectly alright as unlike many you find pleasure in your work. I wish you get success in what ever tasks you take up but do take a break once in a while. Don't travel so much that it impacts your health. Do spend more time with mom every day and do take out time and relive your young days. You were busy through out your 30s and 40s . I want you to loosen up a bit now. Of course decision is yours but my only desire is to see you more at home than in tours or camps!

Take care.
Love you always,
Afshu.

I always used to draw hearts in hand written letters. Hence continuing the age old practice ;)

Image source : here

Meet you soon.
PS: It is so funny to say things to you which you always say to me but a role reversal is good once in a while.
Kisses and hugs,
Afshi.

I am participating in the 30 Days Letter Challenge where you write one letter each day. The third in the list is a letter to ‘Your Parents’.