#GuestBlog by Gaurav Prakash
To start with I am not a single Dad – so why am I writing this blog post?
My experience of a ‘single dad’ is from the child’s perspective. Yes, I grew up with a single parent – my Father. He is 80 years old and simply does not give a thought to things online. Given that he would not be penning a blog in a hurry – I decided to put some memories online.
Growing up has moments one can simply not forget; they are like family folklore talked about at every family gathering and whenever one wants a good laugh. With only guys in the house, things can get very interesting. We have a fair-sized kitchen garden and there was a time when a large Papaya tree was full of fruits. Now you must be a real lightweight to climb a Papaya tree, it really is delicate. We had protected the fruits from birds with a gunny bag and I used to climb up to check if any was ready to be plucked. One afternoon I came back from school only to see the tree down on the ground (broken, can you believe it!!). One look at my father and the story was clear – I still can’t forget the look. With men, if one can do it the other can do it just as well. It’s just the tree which was not ready to believe in our adventure.
One would believe that mothers take the lead when it comes to resolving issues in the neighbourhood, specifically in India where we all play cricket and the ball is bound to land up in some neighbour’s house. I remember Father being innovative here as well – one neighbour was very vocal about her displeasure with kids playing in the park. Simple solution for the senior was to play with us. Not much opposition to the kids when the big guns are supporting them.
Food is a special love and no one cooks better than mom. Well…yes , but we had our fun both in cooking and in designing short cuts around food. Quite often we would get things wrong but this never dampened our spirits or our enthusiasm to try new things or call friends and family over for good fun around delicious food.
The only place presentable in the house continues to be the “Drawing Room”, the rest of the house simply was our playing ground. Truly speaking, the drawing room was also a playground during our summer breaks back then. We had long afternoon sessions of carom where it was difficult to separate the men and the boys, often the boys would win the day, and an evening of celebrations would follow.
Most things people associate with house chores were games for us; the washing machine would do the cleaning but putting the clothes for drying was a FUN game. One man on the ropes and the other tossing clothes to him. Now don’t do a thing wrong else you will be the one going out and picking up all the laundry post drying, simple! Cleaning the house was also simple – put everything in a box or under the stairs. Tada!! The house is clean.
Somehow life was so simple and uncomplicated when we were growing up – it seems so complex and full of ifs & buts now that we are parents. Come to think of it, my Father’s ability to make things simple is what we all cherish even today.
-Gaurav Prakash
– This a very special blog specially written for Father’s Day by my dearest friend Gaurav. He works as a marketing and product strategist. He is happily married and has a child. He has two older siblings who are also married and have kids. His father continues to be the centre of gravity in his family. He still maintains the kitchen garden, albeit now with the help of a gardener. Not a day goes by when all of them do not talk to each other. My heartfelt thanks to him for doing this for me.
Great post. I loved it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading and appreciating 🙂
LikeLike
I love highlighting a single dad. Today in society, dads are thought of as the lesser parent or not as capable. I love that your dad raised you in a loving supportive way. Really very wonderful story to share and hope many read this and learn a different perspective.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading and appreciating Bethany. Shall pass this to my friend who wrote this blog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is such a great post in relation to the Father’s Day holiday coming up this weekend. My father made it work too, and we have some funny stories from it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading and appreciating 🙂
LikeLike
Remember each day just like it was yesterday! Beautifully written!One of the best n most memorable garden for me ,still,is uncle’s garden! Delicious food n not to forget d pickles too! Happy Father’s Day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
He sent some mangoes for us from his garden very recently. The best ones we had this summer. Thank you for reading 🙂
LikeLike
This is such a heartfelt post. Dads are great and superheroes. Good to know about Gauravs family and childhood days.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading and appreciating Deepa 🙂
LikeLike
The dads are the real superheroes in shaping our lives! This is a beautiful piece of writing with a reference to Father’s Day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading and appreciating Ana 🙂
LikeLike
What a wonderful post. Being a single parent is hard. Many don’t typically think about single dads. What a wonderful ode to this dad. Happy Father’s day to him and all the dads out there!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading and appreciating 🙂
LikeLike
What wonderful memories! Your dad sounds wonderful at keeping things positive for his family. I love the thought that he kept things simple! Such a treasure! Life gets so complicated- it’s something we can all remember and strive for.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading and appreciating. However, this post was written by a friend and not by myself. I shall pass this on to him. 🙂
LikeLike
I love this post. My parents were divorced and reading this gives me more appreciation for the time we spent with our dad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Lauren for reading and appreciating 🙂
LikeLike
Really a wonderful topic you’ve shared! loved reading it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading and appreciating Preirna 🙂
LikeLike
Making things more simple really is the way to go! For example I found that when you have less things in the house, you have less to clean up and more space! And less cleaning means more enjoying and relaxing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are absolutely right. Thank you for reading 🙂
LikeLike
This is a great post! I love how open and heartfelt your posts are. It’s great that your dad was able to make your childhood chores so much fun.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading and appreciating Devon. This blog was written by my friend. Shall pass this on to him 🙂
LikeLike
Great post from a momma. Glad to see a dad getting some praise
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading and appreciating Ryan. Shall pass this to my friend who wrote about his dad 🙂
LikeLike
Aww, this is such a heartfelt post ❤ Single dads do just as fab a job as single mums do, they just don't get enough praise for it!!
Louise
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are right. Thank you for reading and appreciating Louise 🙂
LikeLike
This is a beautiful post honoring a single dad. It can be very difficult for them. I am glad you could honor him still.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading and appreciating 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love how your dad made things simple for you growing up. I really want to do that with my child. I don’t want to complicate his life. You’re so right, so much revolves around food, my family had a bad relationship with food, but I’m teaching my son to love it and to love that it brings people together. Great post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading and appreciating 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing your beautiful experience being raised by your single dad. The memories sound like they’ve done you well ❤
LikeLike
what a beautiful thing to read on fathers day! thanks for sharing this
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading and appreciating
LikeLike
I’m a single mother, but single dad’s are never given enough credit in society. This post is a great reminder to appreciate the caregivers male or female.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading and appreciating Nicole 🙂
LikeLike
Beautiful story! A great post!
Pammy – joyfulsource.com
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading and appreciating 🙂
LikeLike
Happy Father’s Day! I can’t imagine how a Dad can perform the tasks of a Mom. It’s easier the other way around. So to all the single dads out there – SALUTE!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading and appreciating Claire 🙂
LikeLike
The story is so heartwarming. The childhood memories make me so happy for some reason. Is not easy being a single dad, but most of them are doing such a great job!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed! Thank you for reading and appreciating Elena 🙂
LikeLike
This was such a wonderful post… my brother was a single father for many years. Please thank your friend for sharing!
Caitlin • Blonde Seeking Ambition
LikeLike
So just to be clear, the author or subject of this post is Gaurav? He was raised by his superhero Dad? What a beautiful story with lots of humor and warmth.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes Elizabeth 🙂 thank you for reading and appreciating
LikeLike
My husband’s dad was a single father too. What a unique experience and one that should be shared. Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for reading 🙂
LikeLike