Missed You, Missing You, Will Always Miss You

Sometimes it feels surreal that I have been living without my father for seven long years. Not a day has passed when I haven't thought of him. On some days more so than others.
My father was a man of very good understanding, quick wit and warmth. He was creative, passionate, thoughtful and loving. He didn't care much for discipline but compensated for it by great enthusiasm. He was knowledgable in a lot of subjects like Politics, Religion, Philosophy, Cinema, Music, Current Affairs, Trivia etc. Towards his later days he spent more time learning Madhwa shastra through his huge books collection. He was always a voracious reader. He was always ready to learn new things and to teach what he knew. He would be at equal ease with children as also with grown ups. He was friendly and had a charming smile.

When I was a child my father was my hero. I hung on to his every word. As a teenager, I used to dismiss the advice he often gave me, like most people of that age do. Later in life when I needed his advice the most he wasn't there to give it. I sometimes close my eyes and strain to recall what he had said on certain occasions. Did he have any unfulfilled wishes? Is there anything I can do to fulfill them now? There are many thoughts I want to share with him, get his opinion, share a joke and laugh together with him.

Now whenever I see a thin, handsome, oldish man of above average height wearing spectacles, checked shirt and white dhoti I can't help but remember him.