There were two things that my Daddu kept teasing me – The month he got retired and his first wrist watch.

A loving and absolutely caring grand pa. My Daddu lived his life on his own terms. He loved all his grand children but I was his favorite not only because I was the first child in the family but also because of two more things that my Daddu kept teasing me – first because
He got retired only a month before I was born.
and second because
He lost his first and favorite wrist watch while I was in his arms.

Even at 80s he was a very active man. He used to wake up early and go for his morning walk. After his daily cup of tea accompanied with some biscuits he used to go for his routine satsang at Nirankari Satsang Bhawan. He used to return home just in time to have breakfast prepared by my mom before she leaves for office. He used to watch news with so much interest and concentration that we bought him a dedicated television set for his room. And he was such a die-hard cricket fan that he almost jerked his body every time the ball hit the bat. He used to have his usual two meals (lunch + dinner) with a milk break in between. He was also a sweets-lover because of which my grand parents often argued with each other.

He was loved by one and all and was popularly known as 'Pyare Lal' in the community. He was a Pakistan locale and had migrated to India during partition. He often used to tell us tales of the undivided India which we all grand children listened with interest and enjoyed.

Although he was a big time smoker but by God's grace he lived a healthy life. Though he tried to quit smoking many a times but resumed it every time he quit. There was one thing in his life that my grand pa disliked most and that was bathing. My Daddu used to skip his daily bath and my granny used to give him a good one for this. But he always made sure to get scolded by grand ma atleast once in a week. (Isn't that a good way to tease?) They always had one or the other reason to argue. Another one being one of their most deadliest issues for argument. My daddi is allergic to fast moving fans whereas my Daddu is a fan lover. So here they again fight over the speed over the fan. Despite all odds my grand parents were a very happy couple.

Until May 1998, when my granny left us all of a sudden for her heavenly abode, we never knew my Daddu loved her so much. He had almost left his desire to live. Since then, he started preparing for his final journey. He got a photograph framed for him similar to the one that was used for my grand ma.

Time flew and his life changed. He stopped having his last meal of the day followed by cutting down his lunch chappatis. He then stopped going for his morning walk and Satsang. No friends, no get togethers, no visits and no relatives for him. He wanted none but to be with my grand ma. (I know he never told any one that he wants to be with my grand ma but ....)

With years passing by, he confined himself within his room and as months passed by he stopped talking to us. We felt the ache. He was not talking, he did nothing but sleep or eat (that too little). I told you na.. he lived life on his own terms.

Year 2007 was the toughest in his life. His health started deteriorating. His skin was reduced to bones. Though his diet increased in his last days but it did him no good.

It happened that he lost his sight followed by hearing and ultimately his sense of feeling.

His last 10 days of life:
He could not speak.
He could not hear.
He could not eat.
He could not drink.
He could not walk.
He could not feel.

He was in his bed and had left behind all desires of life as if he was all prepare for his final journey.

And on the very auspicious day – the day of the birth of Lord Krishna called Janamashtmi, my Daddu took his final breath and left all of us in grief. I am sure he went in peace because what could be a better occasion for this than the birth date of Lord Krishna and the two people he loved most by his side. Yes, My mom and dad were by his side when he left for his heavenly abode.

I pray to God for his soul rest in peace.

I am happy that my grand parents are united again and I am sure my Daddu is as happy as he was years ago.

There is so much to write about him but I will restrict because not MY Grand Father can be described in words.

We miss you Daddu and we love you too.

With Love
Your Grand Daugther
and every one else in the family