There are 3 stages of a Man's life:

1. He believes in Santa Claus
2. He doesn't believe in Santa Claus and
3. He is Santa Claus!!

In this lifetime. what a delightful blessing it is to have;

- A Man who hears everything you have to say, with the greatest of interest, no matter how ridiculous you sound
- A Man who is the anchor to keep you within your defined co-ordinates, to ensure you don't go astray during stormy times
- A Man whom we need no clearance from when we have to take refuge in his Port of Shelter
- A Man who you can hug and get to feel the all embracing divine warmth hugging you back
- A Man who will forgive you no matter what and Shepherd you to the right path without being judgemental
- A Man who doesn't tell what to do, but lives and lets us watch him do it

What a privilege it is to be blessed with the presence of THE MAN....also known by God's other name.......Dad!'

It is when Dad is around that we believe in Santa Claus and then WE become Santa Claus when we are blessed with a Child. Then its Christmas time for the rest of our lives! (of course the Mother plays her silent but solid role of making Dad what he is).

Happiest memories of my life have been while being indulged by Dad in those special treats. Be it being rewarded one bottle of Energee (the good old MAFCO milk drink, also responsible for deduction in Marks because kids started spelling the word ENERGY as ENERGEE) per one round ran around Shivaji Park OR the eagerly longed for visits to the corner Sindhi Shop selling Dal Pakwan, Ragda Pattice, Pani Puri, and Falooda, OR the feeling of possessing untold wealth whenever Dad visited school and I felt that I could now buy everything the Canteen has to sell without worrying how much balance I had left, OR during my 10th Std Board exams as Dad and Mom waited outside the Exam Centre with loads of Puri Bhaji and Nimbu Pani to feed not only me but all my friends OR Dad returning from office on a week-end with Biryani and Raita from the Capital of Biryaniland - Delhi Darbar!

Its won't be difficult to guess that Dad had no idea of how to cook! As I delve deeper into those fond memories, "Food " has been the manifestation of diverse underlying sentiments like Reward, Indulgence, Abundance, Caring, Thoughtfulness, Sharing, Health and Well being.

Values taught and unknowingly etched on the sub-conscience at a very early stage of life but never specifically preached and diluted.

A Shayar has written a few nice lines in Urdu and its rough translation is
" SO WHAT IF I CANT GO TO A MOSQUE TO PRAY, LET ME PUT A SMILE ON A KIDS FACE ".

My own adaptation of that is "So what if I cannot visit a place of worship today, let me say my prayers by cooking for and feeding those I love " AMEN