Each family is very different and growing up, we were also different in many ways. We were only four of us in our family and we were just a sweet family. We three ladies were chatty but the interesting part was that my father spoke a lot but we hardly knew anything about him! (funny right?)
I spent about 8 months in my father’s hometown just last year(yes, Vellore :)) and I learnt a lot in the place by staying there for sometime.
Growing up, me and my father have talked a lot and my father has advised me a lot too. In fact, he has advised me even after I got married and had children too! 🙂 But he was always in a “father’s role” and I was always in a “daughter’s” role. So, there was only advice and I had never asked anything about him. I had no idea about the place he lived in, his childhood, his favorite places there, the local festivals there and many other little things. Basically, I didn’t know anything about the initial 35 years of his life and knew his life only after that.
I never knew there were places called as Kangeyanallur, Arani, Gudiyatham and a college called as Auxilium college in Vellore. I never knew there was a temple called as ‘Odai Pillaiyar kovil’. I never knew about Vellore’s festival called as “Mayana Kollai festival”. I had briefly heard about Vaniyambadi, Vallimalai, Voorhees college, and him being mens hostel warden at a college in Vaniyambadi.
But I never knew anything about his life in Vellore or how life was Vellore as such. And I don’t think I will fully ever know or understand his life there. Though, each time I go there, I wonder if anybody can be this silent about their early childhood years. I try to see Vellore through his eyes today and that keeps me happy.
Are all fathers that way? Are they super silent?
Dedicated to my father on his 82nd birthday!
Note: I visited my father’s hometown(Vellore) only 4 years after his passing away. He had not spoken much about it at all when he was there!
This post is for alphabet ‘X’ for BlogchatterA2Z by @blogchatter
A lovely straight-from-the-heart post! Better late than never! You now know so much about your father.
Yes!
This touched a quiet corner of the heart. There’s something so familiar about fathers—present, guiding, yet holding entire chapters of their lives close to their chest. Your reflection carries both tenderness and a gentle ache… of stories discovered a little late, yet cherished deeply.
Vellore too feels like a bridge here—I smiled at the mention, as it brought back memories of my own son completing his graduation there. Strange how places quietly weave relationships across lives.
A beautiful tribute—soft, reflective, and filled with love that continues beyond time.
Wow…so good to know…my daughter will be graduating from here soon…a very small world indeed…:)
I guess most fathers tend to be a little reserved about most aspects of their life. Maybe it is because they feel they need to protect their “fatherly” image and restraint.
Thank you for sharing this snippet of your personal life and experiences with us.
Do drop by mine.
Cheers,
CRD
Yes….
I have already visited your blog, Christopher!