Memories Last ForEver

Can we give our children a childhood worth cherishing?

- Lalit Modi N

There is this popular episode of a little girl whose dad had to leave in a hurry without giving her a goodbye kiss.

“Getting late for a meeting, I need to run,” he said, as he slung his coat over the shoulder, and bounded out of the house. As he drove away, she came running down the stairs two at a time. “Wait, wait,” she said in despair, but he had already left.

Her mouth crumpled like used wrapping paper. “He forgot to give me a goodbye kiss,” she whispered in a voice that trembled under the weight of her hurt. She called him, “You left without giving me a kiss,” she said accusingly. “I am sorry, sweetheart,” he said, his voice contrite. “It is okay,” she said, trying to be all grown up as she cut the call and retreated into a state of dull resignation.

She gulped down her breakfast morosely, wore her shoes, picked up her school bag and started to walk out of the door, her shoulders slumped. As she got down the steps, the car glided to a stop outside the house. He got out of the car. She ran to him, her face lit up like a Christmas tree.

“I am sorry I forgot,” he said, as he picked her up and hugged her. She said nothing. Her jaw ached from smiling.

Fifteen years later, no one would remember he was late for a meeting, but a little girl would never ever forget that her father drove all the way back home just to kiss her goodbye!