A daughter questions her relationship with her father on his deathbed. Taking a closer look at some of his challenges and his attitude towards them, provides her with greater clarity and a deeper appreciation of her dad. She realises how a homogenous family in a small village in Kerela could have evolved through three generations into a diverse global network of family and friends. There are compelling anecdotes of openness and inclusion from his immigrant life that are inspirational.
This memoir is a celebration of a simple man who was extraordinary in many ways. It is a call to discover the heroes we encounter everyday.
Ended
Dear friends and family,
I am going to be placing my new born 'baby' in your safe hands soon after a long labour of love...far too long really! The books arrived at my new address in the middle of my move from my matrimonial home for 33 memorable years.
We moved into City Towers in 1987. We built friendships with our neighbours mainly through our children. The small open field provided many hours of entertainment not just for my children but the earnest dads who organised soccer games in the weekends. My dad and I watched the intense and sometimes over-heated games from the periphery with amusement. City Towers is a hive of memories for many of us. So the thought that City Towers will no longer exist in the map of Singapore is a little unnerving and bizarre. City Towers is not going to go through a make-over or even a cosmetic surgery. The four buildings: the tower block and the three understated low rise cousins are going to be razed to the ground come Feb 28th when we hand over the estate to the developers.
So when the long awaited books finally arrived at my door step, I was too busy and exhausted not just physically but emotionally from the move to feel anything. We just got our internet fixed and here I am...
I am very gradually feeling the excitement of placing 'Dad and I' in your good hands, and not without trepidation. I am entertaining loads of 'what ifs' but I hope my sense of humour will carry me through. The trick is to never take yourself too seriously. ;)
I would very much like to do things properly. All books will be signed and dated, and for those who ordered more than one book, please let me know the name you would like in the book and I'll do the needful.
I will give out the books during the BOOK LAUNCH PARTY. The tentative date for the party is 14 March (Sat). I will be sending out the invites soon. Please let me know if you are able to attend for catering purposes.
Thank you once again for your patience, and journeying with me this far. The birth of 'Dad and I' was made possible only because of your generosity and trust.
Here's to a more open, peaceful and inclusive world.
Warmest regards
Shalini
