Daddy its your day....

Before I start here’s wishing all the papas’ in the World a very Happy Fathers’ Day. A special day indeed!
For me it’s more of an emotional turmoil... It’s not even a month since my mother has moved out of house- to heaven. It was my father who had to take the tough decision. It’s not the first time he has been subjected to this... it happened 3 years ago too. But this was the final call. What I appreciate most about him is the selfless love he has for my mom. He love since childhood, married her, had 2 children but now had to decide to let her go. The woman he was thinking of was not only his friend but his wife, his partner, a companion and above all the mother of his two children. We two (my brother n me) came 28 yrs later What about him? Married for 27 yrs, known each other for 55 yrs...Thank god I am not in his place n praying never to be in his place ever. How would he or should he or will he decide? However the decision was made.
Could not see her in pain anymore... she too loved him dearly. She was semi-conscious or drowsy due to heavy medication and I asked her “Aai (mom in Marathi my mother-tongue) which was the happiest day of your life?” Without a thought she said it was her marriage. This was the same lady with whom I had gone to spent four weeks out of which two weeks she was she was angry with her husband for not taking her home n giving her medicines. He bared it all, without frustration, without anger, without any disappointment. How many of us can do that with patience for not one day two days but for 32 days....?
He said, “The treatment will keep her alive, she will have a life of quantity not quality. She will hate me even more if I keep her alive for me and the children like this. Let her go doc... I’ll manage”. This one sentence told me how much his heart ached seeing his wife, my mother like this for 3 years. He was dying every second of every minute of each hour seeing his wife uncomfortable. The doctors explained my brother and me the situation and told us their decision. I look at my father and for the first time and last a tear trickled down. Since that day,every passing minute she was going miles away but he managed to be composed and continued to make her as comfortable as possible, he’d been doing that ever since.... Finally she rested in peace when she was assured she was safe beside him.
I may never be able to tell him this, but baba (dad again in Marathi my mother-tongue) we both really love you. Only a man who really loves his wife selflessly n deeply can take such tough decisions. You did all you could do for her, probably even more than any husband would ever do for their wife. She knew this and she said it also. I want you to now enjoy your a life the way you want. You always lived for her and for us but never for yourself. On this Fathers’ day I think what I can give you is your own time for you and our love and care which is always for you.