Friday, September 11, 2009

Fifty and Counting

Not everyone wakes up in the morning, excited about going to work. Fewer still get to do that for fifty years. How lucky are you, Appa! That not only do you love your work but you get to practice it for over half-a-century. The funny thing is, you never aspired to become a lawyer. You had applied to study medicine along with four of your friends. While they received a call for interview, you didn't. You were heartbroken and consoled yourself that it was not meant to be. And it was your father and uncle who persuaded you to take up law as an alternative.

Did you even think back then that one day you would be celebrating your golden jubilee in a profession that you only took up as a consolatory choice?

But having resigned yourself to the choice, you threw yourself wholeheartedly into work. Sure you had your father and uncle before you to help get a head start in the profession. They were already established lawyers and you never had to struggle the way other newbies did. That said, how you took the baton and ran with it is entirely to your credit. You have never compromised on your integrity and you have worked tirelessly to get to where you are today. Even now, you rarely take a holiday and your spare hours are spent in the library reading up on legal matters.

I admit there were times when I wished you worked in an office like other fathers I knew. Those who worked fixed hours and took their families around the country on vacations on LTC. Granted that would have meant monthly paychecks and retirement at 60. And you could not have supported a large and rambling family the way you uncomplainingly did or carried on working for as long as you have. But working for someone else might have meant being with your wife and children more instead of putting in 14-hour work days all year round. Retirement might have meant taking time to enjoy your grandchildren instead of fitting them around client meetings and court hearings.

I see you bustling about in the mornings as you get ready for work. Answering phone calls, packing your briefcase, calling out to juniors, slipping on your black coat and rushing off to court because your case is about to be called. And deep down I know that you are never more happy than when you are working.

Fifty years in a career that you love and that has rewarded you in more ways than one can recount. And what's more, you aren't done yet.

Congratulations, Appa! We are immensely proud of you.


My brother giving a wonderfully measured speech at the function organised to felicitate my father

13 comments:

Shammi said...

"you ARENT done yet", methinks? (last but one line). Lovely tribute, A :)

Anonymous said...

He's lucky indeed. Congratulations to your father. Where is he seated in the pic?
Poorni

ammani said...

-Corrected. Thanks, Shyam!

-3rd from left, Poorni

artnavy said...

great going and to think it was his second choice of career...

dfgfg said...

Great tribute. Add my வாழ்த்துக்கள் too.

Hip Grandma said...

my grandpa was a lawyr too and I think healso put in 50 years of work before he quit.great job done.please congratulate him.Is your brother a lawyer too/

kaaju katli said...

Congrats to your dad!!!

ra said...

congrats again! what a lovely tribute.

If he had retired you might have been wishing he had more to do...how does one find a balance? tis a question even we are struggling with.

Balakumar said...

Have not been here in a ages. And came into another awesome post. :)
Congrats to your dad!

--Bala

Unknown said...

In addition to being highly respected in his profession, he is lucky in being blessed with two highly accomplished daughters and a brilliant son. Congratulations to him and wishing him many more years at the wicket.
naga mama

Unknown said...

very touching
anou

PriyatRaj said...

Very nice! Congratulations to your dad.

Aarti said...

1st time here!!
And what a post... congrats to your dad

beautiful post!!