They say time heals everything. But I have learnt that some losses never truly leave you. You simply learn to live with the pain, carrying it with you as you find the strength to move forward.
For most of my life, my father, Dakshinamoorthy, was my biggest source of strength. He guided me, protected me and encouraged me to believe in myself. I was once a lively, cheerful girl who loved meeting people, dancing with abandon and participating in National Service Scheme (NSS) activities. I enjoyed life to the fullest and always tried to spread kindness wherever I went. My father was the person who stood behind every dream I had, reminding me that I was capable of achieving more than I imagined.
But twelve years ago, my world changed in a way I could never have prepared for. My father passed away suddenly, leaving behind a silence that felt impossible to bear. Losing the person who had always been my guide and protector left me feeling lost. I struggled to understand how life could go on without him. Watching my mother and sister navigate the same grief made the loss even more painful. We were all trying to find our footing in a world that suddenly felt unfamiliar. At a time when I needed my father the most, I had to learn how to live without his reassuring presence.
Yet, even in the depths of my grief, one thing stayed with me: my father’s last wish. He wanted me to build an identity of my own, pursue what I loved and establish a business that my children could one day look up to with pride. He had always encouraged me to follow my passions and become independent, someone who could stand confidently on her own feet. Those words became more than a memory; they became a promise I made to myself. I knew I could not bring him back, but I could honour the faith he had placed in me. No matter how difficult life became, I decided I would not give up.
Building that future, however, was far from easy. I continued working in the IT sector, navigating the demands of a technical career while carrying the dream of becoming an entrepreneur in my heart. The seed my father had planted in me was waiting for its moment to grow. Eventually, I decided to take a leap of faith. I invested every rupee of my savings in leasing a wedding hall, taking a risk that could either bring my dream to life or leave me with enormous responsibilities. It was frightening to put everything I had worked for on the line, but I kept reminding myself why I had started. I wanted to build something of my own, something meaningful that would make my father proud.
Running a wedding hall while continuing my IT career has tested me in ways I never imagined. There have been long days, exhausting hours, difficult decisions and moments when balancing my professional responsibilities with my business seemed almost impossible. I have had to learn to manage several things at once, make tough choices and keep going even when the road ahead felt uncertain. There were times when the weight of responsibility felt overwhelming, but I refused to let fear decide my future. Every challenge reminded me of the courage my father had tried to instil in me.
Slowly, the hard work began to pay off. Today, the wedding hall has grown significantly, with enquiries and footfall increasing manifold, alongside our earnings. What once felt like a frightening gamble has become a source of pride and a testament to what determination can achieve. For me, however, success is about much more than business growth or financial stability. When I see my family looking up to me, I realise that I have built something that gives us confidence and a renewed sense of independence. I can hold my head high, knowing that I have worked hard to create a future through my own efforts.
I know I did not reach this point alone. My husband, children, mother, sister and dear friends have stood beside me through the highs and lows. Their encouragement has given me the strength to keep moving forward, especially on days when the responsibilities of my career, business and family have felt too heavy. Their faith in me has reminded me that even when we lose someone who once gave us all our strength, love can continue to reach us through the people who remain by our side.
Twelve years have passed since I lost my father, but his lessons continue to guide me every day. I still wish I could share my achievements with him, hear his words of encouragement and watch the pride in his eyes as he sees how far I have come. There are moments when I miss him more than words can express. Yet, instead of allowing that pain to hold me back, I try to turn it into the strength he always believed I possessed.
I know there is still a long way to go. I have more dreams to pursue, more challenges to overcome and more milestones to achieve. But when I look back at the girl I was before losing my father and compare her with the woman I am today, I realise that his faith in me never disappeared. It became a part of who I am.
Dad, I wish you were here to see everything I have built. I wish I could sit beside you and tell you that your words stayed with me, even when life became unbearably difficult. I did not give up. I am working towards the future you dreamed of for me, building an identity of my own and creating something my children can be proud of. I hope that, wherever you are, you are smiling. Your hand may no longer be in mine, but your guidance continues to lead me forward. And this is only the beginning.
– By Hema Preethy
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