We received a call from India today. At 5 in the morning. When I heard the person saying, I am your neighbour calling..I knew it wasnt going to be anything good. I woke Nk up. His dad passed away 2 hours away. I never shared the details of what happened to NK’s dad. He was diagnosed with brain cancer in January. Underwent surgery and radiation. It was heartbreaking to hear what was happening. He was bedridden and unable to communicate.
I managed to get online and found NK a flight ..He left 3-4 hours ago and I’m left with the kids on the first day of their summer holidays.
I am sitting down, thinking about my fil. He is an amazing man. He is the only one in the household who spoke English to me when I was newly married. I have to recount an incident.. I was a new bride ,watching TV. Mummyji was sitting beside me. It was on some local channel. There was an ad, the guy is applying for leave, his boss doesnt give him, his wife is sad, his dad says something…It was an riveting ad. My mil then gets up and moves away. A word in Hindi flashes. I dont read Hindi. I asked my fil, what was that. he says nashbandhi. I am like whats that? he says vasectomy. My mil is laughing in the kitchen because she knew I was going to ask the question.I am like oh did I just ask him that ..oops!
When I went to India with Neil and used to breastfeed, instead of making me go into the room. he would say you sit in the living room and or watch TV or chat with the visitors and he would go away, giving me privacy.
He used to send birthday cards on each of the kids’s birthday, decorating the envelope with stickers. He would send me articles clipped from newspapers and reader’s digest about photography, allergies and raising kids. He would always praise me to the skies, saying I dont know how you handle the 4 kids without any bais and help.
He was a civil engineer and one of his biggest projects was the Bharat_Bhavan. He received a gold medal from Indra Gandhi for his contribution to Bharat Bhawan. He has the most beautiful cursive handwriting. He used to tutor the neighbourhood kids and give them chocolates when they did well on exams.
The kids dont know yet. I told them daddy is going because dadaji is sick.
I know we’ll move on but the heart ache will always be there. We never had a chance to invite him to Americaland. I knew he would have loved the buildings here. He would never see the boys grow up. He was so concerned about Samar’s allergies. Always asking me what can he do to help.
with the girls in India,2005
With Neil
Oh what a beautiful tribute to your FIL. Please give NK my condolences.
I’m so terribly sorry.
Sorry to hear about your Father in Law’s demise. He definitely was a wonderful man, your family was blessed to have him. Sharing prayers with your family on this.
My condolences to you. Your father-in-law seems like a wonderful person. His picture reminds me of my own dad. He is 80 and I leave tomorrow to go visit him and the rest of my family. I can’t tell you how much your post touched me. I’ll be keeping you and your family in my thoughts.
Me: My fil was 72
Happy journey tomorrow
Sunita, my deepest condolences to you and NK at this sad, sad time, and to your kids because they have lost a loving grandfather.
Very sorry for your loss.
I am so sorry to hear this S !!. He sounds like a wonderful person and may his soul rest in peace. I hope you all find strength to cope with this loss.
Im so very and truly sorry for you all Sunita, that was a lovely tribute you wrote and it touched me deeply. What a terrible loss, I wish I had some magic words of comfort to give you, all I can do is send our love and condolences and if you need to vent Im here. xoxoxo
Very sorry for your and NK’s loss. Hugs.
big hugs
I am so sorry, S… I know it’s a major loss… But I am sure you and the family would find strength to go on.
Love and care,
Puja.
Condolences. What a good bond you had with the FIL.
S, hugs to all of you. He sounds like such a wonderful FIL and grand-dad. Wishing you strength to help you through this loss; you’re in my prayers.
Im so sorry, S. Accept my condolences. Loads of hugs to you and the kids.
oh my! That is so not nice. I wish God gives NK and all of you the strength to get through this. And from what you say, he was indeed, a very special man!
From his high forehead you can see that your FIL was a brilliant man.
Me: My spouse and kids have the same high forehead. My dad had said it a sign of getting angry fast as well..:)
May his soul rest in peace, deepest condolences to your Hub.
My youngest never got to know his paternal grandpa since my FIL died of lung cancer a few months after he was born, but he would go all sad and even cry from time to time – because he missed his grandfather.
SO sorry…
Hugs
2Bs mommy
I’m so sorry for your loss.
so sorry to hear about this. May his soul rest in peace.
So sorry for your loss,Sunita.He seems like a very nice person.May his soul rest in peace.
Very sorry for your loss! Deepest condolences to you and your family!
I am really sorry for your loss ….may his soul rest in peace
I am so sorry to hear this. He sounds like such a wonderful man. His last months must have been so difficult, poor man. May he rest in peace.
My condolences sraikh. You need to be strong atleast for NK’s sake.
Hugs.
~ Krithiga
omg..very sorry to hear this…pl pass on my condolences to your husband…i pray for strength for your family to bear this loss..
very touching tribute.
Very sorry to hear this. Loads of hugs to you and the kids.
Very sorry for your loss. May his soul rest in peace.
My heart goes out to your family for the loss. Hope NK and all of you find the strength to pass this difficult time too. Love to all of you.
My condolences S. Very touching post. May his soul rest in peace.
shit yaar. i am so sorry to hear.
hugs to you, S. take care.
this was such a touching post… brought tears to my eyes…
may his soul rest in peace…. hugs to u and condolences to the whole family
Condolences to all of you..
Condolences S !! Sorry for your loss …
Privileged to hear about such an amazing man, this must be an incredibly tough time for you. Hugs to you, NK and the kids.
I am very sorry to hear of your loss. It must be a very hard time for the whole family. Wishing you all the strength possible in this difficult time. Your tribute is beautiful.
What a fitting tribute Sunita..My heartfelt condolences to Nk and all of you..Im sure dadaji is the brightest star in the sky looking down on all of you.
This is such a wonderful way to pay tribute to a strong man like your FIL.
My condolences to you and your family.
Really sorry about your loss.He sounds like a wonderful human being.May your soul rest in peace and may you and the family find peace in the happy memories you have of him.
Deep felt condolences to your family.
Hi,
Am a long time lurker but this post calls for delurking. Sorry about your loss. I hope you all will find comfort and peace soon knowing that your fil is in a better place.
Rdgs
harshika
dubai
Hi S, Deep felt condolences… Hopefully he is at peace now.
Sorry for ur loss …Hope NK, his mom and u all cope through this….
Take care
Tina.
Warm hugs to you and the family! I’m sorry to hear about your loss. You’re in my thoughts and prayers. We wish NK a safe trip…I’m sure it’s been very hard being far away from the family. What a lovely tribute you wrote about your father in law. It was very touching…
On a positive note and you have to remember this every day…at least he will no longer suffer. It’s the one thought that might help you get through the pain.
love, d
I’m so sorry to hear about your loss;condolences to all of you ,NK and his family;maybe you should ask the kids to make something creative with all their memories of him…I’m sure you can think of something beautiful to commemorate his passing and celebrate his life..*big hug*
Deepest condolences. May his soul rest in peace.
Sincerest and heartfelt condolences to you, NK and his family. Stay strong in this difficult time….its harder when you are so many miles away from near and dear ones.
I am so sorry for your loss. Families are forever, u will all be reunited on the other side one day. God Bless you.
May his soul RIP.
Sorry to hear this, S….hugs.
Hugs to you. This brought back memories of my dad who passed away 6 months ago.
My sincere condolences…so hard to deal with the loss of a parent, no matter what their age or yours is….