Papa

My dad is the best example of how've never let gender rule the life of his kids. From the time when my sis & I were tiny pigtailed pre-schoolers till the time I got married, he always treated us like boys.
Living in conservative Lucknow had it's pitfalls. Even more for young girls who went zipping past on their two wheelers. Papa never let small things like being chased by a bunch of boys, or simple ogling, get the better of us. Sure, he accompanied us to places he thought unfit but those were few.
I remember having my own savings bank account by the time I was seven. I remember how proud I used to be when papa gave me hundred rupees to put in it and how I read the figures in the passbook. Those were simple joys of life.
Now Papa coughs when there's a draft of cold wind. He gets tired easily. 
But he still exudes the authority that came of heading a DD station years ago. When he walks into a room, it seems bigger, more powerful because of him. 
And even now, after all these years, he still gets tears in his eyes when I return home for a vacation.
Your strong sense of saving has helped Papa, has helped!
I love you, Papa!