I want to be like..

We have always been asked this one question ever since childhood, “Who do you want to be like in life?” And we would always name some big inspirational models, some celebrity, or some hot-shot personality. That won’t always be wrong, because we tend to look up to their fame, and naturally aspire to achieve that kind of success.

But while growing up it is that we realise the importance of the real-life heroes that have stood beside us like pillars of support in all phases of life. We respect them, and adore them, and knowingly or unknowingly inculcate their habits within us. It is a natural phenomenon to be influenced by our peers. But with elements of our innate strengths and weaknesses and those that we derive from our idols, we become the best of who we are. And just like everything else in the world, this idol won’t be constant.

So looking at the roles of all the idols I have had so far-

My class 6th tuition teacher

She was my favourite! She loved me, taught me, cared for me, inspired me, supported my love for reading books, completed my project works with me and what not! I cannot thank her enough. I can just admire her, and miss her, because even in this cutting-edge era of technology and social media I cannot connect with her. Don’t know where she is, what she is upto, but she’ll remain in my thoughts, hoping that she’s continuing to inspire many others like me.

My momma!

She was this incredible lady, nobody can completely define. She put everybody before she put herself. She was so so so proud of me. She could never deny anything I asked for. She couldn’t stop bragging about my accomplishments. She brought me into this world, and all through her life she showed me what it is like to take a joint family together, growing up with siblings, sharing, studying, being ambitious, being spoilt yet being loved, being head-strong, fighting for what is right, being humble, being generous, and making the best of whatever may come. And in the last three years she has unknowingly made me learn how to be brave (on learning of her illness), be depressed( by living seeing her deteriorate), failing (at making her better) and eventually accepting (of the fact that she has gone forever). I am not even 25% of what she was, and whatever I may do, it is going to take a lifetime to learn her ways, and even then I am accepting of the fact that I can never completely gather the courage to be what she was.

She was my superwomen. There’s not a day that passes by when I don’t miss her..

My Dadda!!

The most courageous man I have seen in my life. I have seen him make life out of scrap for family. Growing bit by bit, yet never failing to fulfil any of our dreams. His compassion to help any near or distant kin, with no expectations of anything in return. His never-ending confidence, and belief in self and god. His attitude towards life, and never losing hope. His generation- par thinking and accepting nature of whatever is trending. Never being skeptical, supporting of all that his children want. Raising us not by societal norms but by his and our own free will, yet making us strong enough to make our own life decisions. And come what may, giving us the assurance that he’s there to take care of things if anything may go wrong. His confidence is what keeps me going. And however confident the world might think I am, I am still far behind my dadda.. Striving to never give up, but choosing our paths as and when they are best for us. A lifetime of learning and unconditional loving from you dadda.. Love you!

My hubby!!!

He is the latest addition to this list. Having known him for over a decade now, I have literally seen all his phases. His introvert geeky phase, his trying to flirt and impress phase, his over-possessive friend-cum-boyfriend phase, his ambitious passion-driven phase, his love-struck lonely phase (DEVDAS phase is what I like to call it!), his impulsive wanderlust phase, his not-giving-up-I-wanna-marry-you phase, his overtly socialising phase, his fitness freak phase, from a no-pub-person to his crazy-dancer-pub-hopping phase, his shopaholic phase, his youtube-learnt-chef-at-your-service phase, his obsessive-compulsive planner phase, and the list doesn’t seem to end. I am so much excited to see the rest of his avatars (all for good I’d like to believe!). We have literally seen each other grow and grown together. Leaving the hard times aside, he has genuinely been there through thick and thin. Encouraging, protecting, comforting, taunting, scolding, scowling, pampering, surprising and loving, he has been through so much. But what is truly admirable about him is his selflessness. His ways of making others (not only me, I mean) feel good about themselves. His simple gestures of giving a chocolate around to someone, just so it brings a smile to their face. His endless morale-boosting lectures when someone’s feeling low (He should perhaps get a PhD for this). His advisor-ship to help others get through by guiding them from his experiences. His thoughtless compromising nature for his friends and family. His innocent and simple ways of living to just be happy and make others happy (Certainly they cannot go hand-in-hand, but he makes it an easy trade-off every now-and-then).

However hard I may try to express my love and fondness for him, I admit I can never completely satisfy myself with my words and gestures. The best thing happening in my life is growing old with him. From age 16 and ahead.. A journey till eternity.

So these are my idols. I want to be best of myself having elements of all these people who matter so much in life. And of course there are subtle traits of so many other people who keep influencing me. But these are my people. They’ve moulded me to my present self. And I shall let them keep the process going on forever, in their presence or otherwise.