Everyone has that special person in their lives who acts like a role model to them, who comes down to their level and speaks from their point of view. For many of us, including me, that person is our mother. But in my case, there is another personality who ticks all the boxes for an immaculate mentor and friend. Some of you must have already understood who I am referring to, but I’ll still mention it for the sake of the story, it’s nana, my mum’s father.

My nana, since I was a toddler, brought me up in the most spectacular way possible, pampering me by buying toys constantly and spending time with me by babysitting, which created an everlasting bond between us. Alongside the range of toys he brought for me, from remote-controlled to tricycles and scooters, he would often present me with sweets and candies. Now I know it wasn’t that great of an idea to give to a five or six-year-old, but at least it was given with a heart full of affection and care, and that’s what matters.

Fast-forward a couple of years, when I began to outgrow these toys or candies, Nana didn’t just stop there. He began taking me almost every weekend to the local club where he had a membership. It meant the world to me as I could do absolutely whatever I pleased there. I could run hither and thither, play on the swings, slides and see-saws, and consume scrumptious food. That was fun. Other than that, Nana would take me to numerous parks, especially when there was a flower show on or something of that sort. He was extremely passionate about nature and spent hours around it, enjoying what it had to offer.

Due to that level of dedication to it, Nana’s house is filled with innumerable plants with leaves in various colours, like yellow, red, mauve etc. Along with that, his courtyard is packed with colourful, sweet-smelling flowers and tall palm trees.

Anyhow, his immense love didn’t end there. Nana would also take me to the local amusement park and would often buy me a snack on the way back. And whenever we would come over on Fridays, Nana would make sure that I stayed the night with him so that in the morning he could take me to eat my favourite breakfast, halwa puri, at the dhaba. That was the best part of spending the night with him, in my opinion.

Fast-forward five or six years, now that my Nana had grown older and finds it a hard to drive and walk too much, so he prefers to stay at home. What I do now is to try to give him company and talk to him mainly about his travels at sea, as he was a sailor, and the various countries he visited and how he spent his early years and about my school, etc.

Apart from that, I massage him often as he feels pain quite frequently now due to age. This is the least I can do for all that he has done for me over the years.

So basically, that’s how I try my best to spend as much time with him as that is what someone needs the most when they are up in their years. I have said it before and I’ll say it again, I’ll never be able to repay my Nana for all the kindness and comfort he gave to me, keeping me busy and making sure I keep my cheerful smile intact.

He truly has been, is still and will always be a hero and a mentor for me, through whom I can learn how to give the same amount of devotion and care or even more to my grandkids.

Thank you, Nana, from the bottom of my heart for all you’ve done for me and I’m sure I must’ve missed out on countless other favours you’ve done for me.

Published in Dawn, Young World, October 12th, 2024