I remember you
As if it was just yesterday.
You were sitting near the window,
And I was narrating an incident
From many years ago
When I fell in trouble at work
Due to a misunderstanding
Caused by an email.
A smile spread across your face,
And you started laughing
A hearty belly laugh.
It was unexpected, yes,
But, then, I suddenly could see
The funny side of the story.
And in that moment,
I started laughing, too.

I remember
As if it was just yesterday.
You took me out for an evening walk.
The next day, I had an examination,
And I was worried about a classmate
Beating me to the first position.
And, it was at that time that you said
That my race was only with myself
And not against the other children.
If I kept performing better than before,
Then, I would reach the highest score.
All at once, my perspective shifted.
Studies became less of a burden
And more of an enlightenment.

I remember
As if it was just yesterday.
You tucked my sister and me into bed
Saying “Good night” in a sing-song voice,
And we too said “Good night” in that tune.
Then, you said, “See you later, alligator.”
And we repeated, “See you later, alligator.”
Then, you asked us to wiggle our toes,
And laughed and wiggled our tiny toes.
Then, you sang a nonsensical melody
Like “Ching pong ching ding dong ding.”
And we repeated this after you, singing,
And all the while, we kept giggling.
This was our childhood nightly ritual.

I remember everything
As if it was just yesterday.
And, though well-meaning folks say
You’ve passed on to the heavenly realms,
To me, you’re very much present –
Sitting on your rocking chair
Or reading the newspapers
Or doing things that seem mundane.
Like watching the news on television
Or talking on the phone with your friends.
For the others, you may have left,
But to me, you’ll always be there.
My dearest papa, I can never forget.
I remember you like it was just yesterday.