Happy Birthday Dad. Get well soon.

Today was my Dad's 81st birthday. And for the first time since 2010, when my Dad celebrated his 75th birthday all the 4 kids were here in Mumbai. Along with all the grand-kids who were with on his 75th. Which meant that once again Freia, his favorite grand-kid, or at least that's what she thinks, was missing. She was in SFO doing her summer internship.

While we all intended to have a grand celebration, it was not to be. For the last few days he wasn't keeping too well. Yesterday, he became seriously ill and we had to admit him to Nanavati hospital.

And that's where we celebrated his 81st birthday. Happy that we could all be there. And happy that he was feeling better.

I'm not one who's able to express my emotions well. And don't have enough words to say Thank You and Happy Birthday in a manner that will express my gratefulness to my Dad for bringing us all up in such an amazing way, inspite of the zillion hurdles that he had to face.

Let me re-use the words that Freia had written for her grand-father's 75th birthday.

You brought us up,
with so much love,
showed us how much you care.
You were always ready,
to help us with anything,
Dad, you were always there.

So once the clock,
strikes midnight,
the candles are blown,
the songs are sung,
we wish you a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY,
as you turn 81 years YOUNG !!!
We had made a video of memories we made for the occasion "a walk down memory lane". I was pleasantly surprised to find it still existed. And brought back fond memories.

http://animoto.com/play/i8fPlrWRC3ZluQr3DDWicw

You can read the original blog post written on the occasion of my Dad's 75th birthday at:
http://lobodecoded.blogspot.com/2010/08/happy-75th-birthday-dad.html

Get well soon Dad. We love you more than words can say. Happy Birthday.