Dear Baba

It’s been ten years since my father (Baba) has been gone. For some Bengalis, fathers are referred to as “Baba”. My father was an unbelievable force. He grew up poor, but managed to obtain an education in India and USA and became a civil engineer. Much of my grit was fueled everyday by watching him get up everyday to commute to Manhattan. I sort of took the same steps, but ultimately gave up any career in engineering and pursued the sciences. I had an amazing career in Manhattan as well.

If I could write a letter to my father now and know that he would receive it, I would write:

Dear Baba,

Look at me now! A mom! I wish you had the chance to become a grandparent. I hope you are looking down at me. I hope you are in peace. I miss you and think of you everyday. I have let go of much of the sadness of losing you too early and remember all the good things you taught me. Just the other day when I was driving around with the kids in Manhattan, I remembered who taught me to drive in the big city. I always think of you when I am there.

—

“She did not stand alone, but what stood behind her, the most potent moral force in her life, was the love of her father."- Harper Lee