Mrs. Bradley waved at me from the garden. I waved back from our balcony! I went in and saw Aaliyah’s face was all red. I figured out that she was crying. “What happened?” I asked. “I had a call with dad. His voice breaking. He is taking longer breaks before speaking again. He is aging, Bob,” she replied. Tears trickled down her cheeks.

I wiped her tears. Made her sit on the couch and gave her a glass of water. “That’s how life is! Parents will grow old after a time. There’s no way to stop it! I know how overwhelming it gets to see the legs which once ran ahead of us, walk slowly now! But that’s when we know that roles are getting reversed. It’s time for us to lead their way and support them. Crying will just make you weak,” I expressed.

“You’re right! I can’t let this sadden me. Besides, I should feel happy to be their backbone now!” she replied. “Exactly! Also, whenever you feel low, try to look back at your childhood memories. Revisit those fond memory lanes and cheer yourself up!” I suggested.

There was a pause followed by a smile. “You know, on my eleventh birthday, dad surprised me with a hammock in our garden! Every evening we used to spend time there. Swaying on the hammock, I used to read aloud my favorite books and poems. He used to sit on the garden chair and listen,” she expressed. Her face brightened up!

“Father’s Day is here! Why don’t you do you make it special for him in some way?” I asked.

“I will. I am going to make a digital sketch of this ‘hammock memory’ and send it to him with a note. It is close to both our hearts!” she replied. “That’s wonderful!” I replied.

A father has always been the epitome of strength in the family. He has been the source of stability and security. Roles get reversed once he grows old. Then it’s our turn to be his support system and confidant! It’s not the time to break down or feel upset. Rather it’s the time to make him proud and happy! We must hold him with the same grit and confidence with which he once held us.

Love him, take care of him and spend quality time with him! Be the reason for the wide smile on his face!

Happy Father’s Day to all the loving fathers!