Dear
Aamu
Truth
be told, we are quite surprised at how fast time goes by. Always on the gallop.
Just the other day (and it seems like yesterday) on your sixth birthday, both I
and your Maa were going crazy over your ever-growing friend list, you wanted to
invite your entire class to the birthday party!
And,
today you have completed seven years! It all seems like a Ripley’s believe it or not.
I
cannot help but become full of wonderment thinking of you, my daughter. Since morning,
I must have stolen a hundred glances at you. As you preened and pirouetted like
a danseuse in front of the mirror, your new dress sashaying (you had chosen a
long frilly skirt to wear today,) a father’s heart swelled with pride.
Then you turned and flashed your million-dollar toothless smile (only today
morning you lost your second tooth) my knees felt a little wobbly, the heart
missed a beat!
The
past year has been eventful, I would say, even tough for a child your age. As a family we have weathered much. Yet, I marvel
at your calm demeanor and the way you have handled so much craze all around. I
would have surely become a bundle of nerves, if I had to endure the same when I
was your age.
School
life too, I am sure, comes with its own challenges for a seven-year-old. When I
see you engaging with your classmates – a loving pat on someone’s back, a stern
look at the other, a little nudge here and a wink there – I feel confident,
that you are growing up with a wise head on your shoulders. Your teachers speak
highly of you and it is like sweet music to a parent’s ear.
With
all the boldness that you display, there are times when you are a little mushy
all over. Well, all seven-year old girls should be, isn’t it? Then, do remember a father’s
advice, to borrow a quote from Ella Wheeler - “Laugh and the world laughs with you;
Weep, and you weep alone.” The import of this might not come
today, but if you follow this closely, it will hold you in good stead always.
The
past year, you have added to your repertoire of new skills besides dancing – storytelling
being a major one. Your YouTube channel – Golpo by
Amolika has been accepted well, as your inimitable style of narrating tales.
I am sure, if you pursue this art, you will become a good storyteller.
Remember,
stories are Nature’s way of speaking to us. Look around and you will find a
story. The pot of gold at the end of a rainbow, the gentle pitter-patter of
rain falling, the gurgle and chortle of a river. A lion’s deafening roar, the cry
of a mother cow for its lost calf.
The flutter of a butterfly’s wing, a spider spinning
a web, the first rays of the sun, the magic of a golden sunset – exciting stories begging to be discovered and told.
Nature’s
stories are full of wonder and amazement, but strangely only a child is filled
with it. Maybe that is why they say – childlike wonder! I wish you many such wonderful story mornings,
afternoons and nights.
Then
there are stories of human affairs – happy stories, sad stories, stories of loving
and losing, stories of hope and stories of resilience. Of all these, there is one
story I want you to believe in always – the story of the resilience of the human
spirit!
As
you grow in years, there will be times when you will find yourself at crossroads.
Many roads will stare at you, friendly advises will be hurled at you. You will want
to turn back to look for our support, and finding us not there, become unsure.
Remember,
there is a story in the making. Here is your chance to create the story of a
lifetime. Go ahead and craft the most blockbuster of all stories. Choose the
right words, pack in the powerful punchlines, and when done, narrate your story
with aplomb.
Never
underestimate the power of human resilience, never underestimate the power of a
good story.
Today,
on your seventh birthday, may you be blessed to uplift others with your
stories, giving hope to bruised hearts, solace to weary minds and balm for tired
eyes.
To
quote Maya Angelou, an American poet, “There is no greater agony than
bearing an untold story inside you”
Go
head, tell yours! We may not be there in the audience, but we will surely be listening,
I can promise you that. We will be listening in rapt attention, and I am sure, you
will make us super proud!
Love
Baba with Maa
P.S.
Golpo is a Bangla word for story.
How sweet . Ammu is going to cherish these letters always
ReplyDeleteThanks so much:)
DeleteLucky girl of lucky parents.πΈπ
ReplyDeleteThanks :)
DeleteLoved it! A proud father, surely making his daughter proud.
ReplyDeleteThanks :)
DeleteAwww.....Many many happy returns of the day to sweet little angel.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much
DeleteThank you :)
DeleteA beautiful letter each word uttered from the innermost rececces of the heart of a proud daddy.Amolika is surely a truly gifted child no doubt about that and we too bask a little in the same light.She honestly has the capability to cure and nourish weary hearts,minds and bodies with her gentle touch and her childish babble.I feel blessed to be her mashi and connect to her so well.God bless her always in abundance.
ReplyDeleteLovely story and a perfect gift for dear Aamu. Very Happy Birthday to Amolika. May she always be blessed!
ReplyDeleteThank you:)
DeleteLoved it
ReplyDeleteGood read. Happy Birthday dearest Amolika ππ May God bless you !!
ReplyDeleteThank you:)
DeleteHappy birthday amolika .Your 7 years life has been amazing and I hope that your future life will be also amazing.ππ
ReplyDeleteThank you:)
DeleteThis is so beautiful. Behind every great daughter there is a truly amazing dad. The life teachings that you've shared here for Amolika reminds me of the great lessons my pappa has taught me.This one is very very special, sir. Thank you so much for writing this with all your heart and giving us an opportunity to read it. Thank you so much. Happy birthday, girly. : )
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
DeleteA wonderful letter to an amazing daughter from her proud parents. Beautifully written . God bless our lil puchki always.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much :)
DeleteHappy birthday dear Amolika (Aamu)! Wish the world's best of happiness, sweet dreams and love fill your heart. Wish you become a great person as you grow up to make your parents proud. Your father's lovely piece of writing on your birthday has touched my heart. His all love for you came out from his inner heart through wonderful words, great lessons, right choice of words and overall a beautiful flowing English from a proud father who is so happy with a gifted and sweet daughter like you. May God almighty bless you for a very happy, prosperous and eventful life ahead.
ReplyDeleteThank you Mr. Chakraborty for sharing
a wonderful piece of writing for your daughter on her birthday. She will cherish this as she grows up to make her parents truly proud.
Thank you sir :)
DeleteThis letter shows supreme and purest form of love of a father for his daughter. She will love you specially for such deeds that you do. Makes me emotional.
ReplyDeleteWrite for your spouse too.. Something romantic.:)
Haha sure :)
DeleteWonderfully written letter by a proud father of a proud princess.She will keep these letters as treasure once she is grown..
ReplyDeleteThanks bro
DeleteYou can only begin to value parenthood, it's joys and challenges when you have kids around you. May God bless Ammu and her doting parents... both now and forever.
ReplyDeleteGod bless...!!! Ulrick
Hello! My name is Santhini Govindan, and I am a writer of children's literature. I was surprised and delighted when I found my book, 'The Anger of Apsu,' being narrated by your lovely daughter Amolika on her Youtube channel Golpo. The narration was excellent and I send her my congratulations and best wishes. I will be posting this on my author page on Facebook.
ReplyDelete