You’re at the hospital as I write this. Lying on a bed, a machine transfusing your blood, unaware of your immediate surroundings because you’re busy cracking up. Benny Hill is clearly too funny to feel any pain. And with those headphones firmly in your ears, you’re guffawing behind drawn curtains, oblivious to the curious stares of newer patients. For the old ones, you’re a familiar sight: cheering them on, on their low days, lending CDs to a yesteryears’ movie star, grumbling when he sends you sugar-free chocolates, joking with the nurses, announcing to each one that all this trouble began in their very own native Kerala, lest they believe that Munnar is merely a hill station.
When the doctor asks, “You’re still alive?” you smilingly tell him, “Only to torment you.” Complications arise and ebb, with the regularity of waves. Perhaps the very same ones that all the patients fight over beds # 5 and 6 for—sea-view, see? Clots and a hugely swollen arm result in grand declarations: “On the one hand, I’m the Great Khali; on the other, Mr. Vakatlan!” you proudly say, vakatlan being the Parsi term for scrawny.
But who will tell of the expansive spirit, greater than any wrestler’s arm, that surmounts the pain, triumphs over failed kidneys and still craves popcorn on the way home?
Happy 62nd, Dad.
I wish you a lifetime’s supply of health and popcorn.
Such a beautiful read my dear. Hope your dad and you have a great day.
Oh, hope he’s out soon. Such a wonderful spirit- I like the gags!
Wishing you many more birthdays, good health and good cheer, OJ’s Dad
Lots of love, OJ:)
“Taarif karoon kya uski, jisne tujhe banaya…” Guess…I will just wish him heppy budday instead… Hope you guys have a great evening together…
This was beautifully written…
Do wish your dad a wonderful and healthy birthday…
happy birthday to your daddy – o!
lovely post!
cheers!
abha
Wine & Toast: CeeJ! Knew it had to be you!:D Wait, I’m not supposed to be talking to you. You go party in Rio and miss my budday. Go on! Hmph! 😦
Dipali: Thank you for your wishes and texts.
Damnhobsons: Kijiye, kijiye… it’ll win you brownie points with me, if not with “Papajee” 😛
Dee: Thank you. 🙂
Abha: Ahh…I think I know where you came from. Welcome. And danke. 🙂
He’ll be fine OJ. 62 is young and as my grandmother says, Parsis live long and do it at 92! love and prayers
Hmmmm… nice
Baaki blog is too heavy for my feeble dimaag but this post was touching. Cool son/daughter(?) of a cool dad!
Hi OJ – Ramesh here….you may have heard of me from Gulshan Aunty. Thought I’d just drop by and say hello….
Do wish your father well from my side, and a speedy recovery too…..
Oh, am so sorry am late
To wish a Dad so great
Happy Birthday to him
Keep up that brave chin
As daughter, you are first rate!
Hi OJ, here’s wishing him many many more birthdays!!!He is going to be ok!:)
Iz: I’ll let him know. 🙂
Vidooshak: Refer to comment # 10 for my gender. Or just check with the author of the blog you hopped over from. 😉
Ramesh: Hey! How are you? How’s Mahi? Thanks for stopping by.
Aunty G: Big hug.
Revathi: Thanks, girl. 🙂
Belated wishes to your Dad on his birthday.
I still remember the post you wrote on 360 on his 60th.
God give him good health & happiness always!
ah.. big big hugs.. and belated wishes to the man who always has a joke and a smile on his lips.
Rajni: Aww, that’s sweet. 🙂
MM: Not to mention in his inbox! 😉
What a tremendous spirit your father has!
I wish him good health, laughs and yes, lots of joke books to accompany that mountain of multi-flavoured popcorn!
M4: Add a series of Allo Allo to the pack and we have his dream life. 🙂