See you in heaven

That particular night he was a man agog. He was not at his usual place, the place naturally reserved for him as the "man of the house". The familiar red glow at the end of his cigarette, was abnormally bright, an obvious sign he was excited of something a coming. The billow of smoke which rose above his head forming clouds one on top of each other, as if sending somebody a signal, a message perhaps of his whereabouts.

Hardly a minute would be gone and he is off his seat, pacing the dimly lit passage way between the house and the gate. Neck craned skyward, like that of a graceful giraffe, he would peek through the gate into the street. Once again returning back, puffing so strongly on his smoke by now resembling a midget with a red cap sandwiched between two strong pillars.

Suddenly outside the gate brightens, followed by an engine stopping. Immediately, the man sprung into motion, lighting up the passage way and opening the gates in one blur movement, welcoming a group of men hauling down a big box. With a big smile and a sigh of relief that the waiting is done, he, now in his usual place which is naturally reserved for him, started the unveiling...

I could never forget this particular evening, the night when my father bought our first colored television. One of the fondest memories I have of my father. He was a man with an inner strength you could feel, one which I wish to emulate. Though just like any other human, he too has his own weaknesses. I was glad he was around when I was growing up. Today is his fourteenth year in heaven. I miss you Pa.