I never expected both my parents to be snatched away by God so soon in my life and certainly did not expect Dad to leave us so quickly after Mum. The loss of both of them going is devastating, heartbreaking and life is now a struggle and I just don’t feel I’m the same person I was when they were here. When your parents are taken away from you, a massive part of you leaves with them  too.
I had a brilliant childhood because of my parents, things were easy and the  simplest things created happiness no materialism existed. I have many memories with both Mum and Dad but as this page is for Dad I would like to share some of my memories and experiences with my Dad in no particular order.
I used to get some pretty cool presents for my birthday, but there was this one birthday where dad made it so special. Dad used to be up early for work before I woke up for school but on this birthday, he woke me up early and from behind the bed pulled out massive keyboard. My eyes opened super wide as I was so surprised and happy. I then remember telling everyone at school that my Dad got me this special huge keyboard.
In the summer holidays most years we used to go to the seaside. When I was little I used to be afraid of the sea but it was my Dad who encouraged me that there was nothing to worry about as he used to hold my hand take me into the sea. He also took me on rides and I remember going on a chair lift with him at one seaside and as I was quite high up I was nervous and he held me tight so I would feel safe. I remember saying to him what happens if my sandals fall off and he just laughed and said they won’t.
He also took me to Windsor Safari Park, which is now Legoland and it used to be so fun seeing all the animals and I remember watching a whale show there too with my parents.
When I was quite small if my dad was resting or lying down in bed I used to go and sit on him and start playing with his hair giving him some strange hairstyles and he used to just let me do what I wanted to his hair and play along.    
I loved helping my dad, believe it or not I used to love helping him when he used to cut the grass , aah that lovely fresh smell of grass, I used to help him sweep it up and occasionally he would let me have a go with the big machine. I used to watch him in garage working on mending cars for customers which was a joy and sometimes he would let me use this lever which was used to help raise a car up.
Dad always helped family and friends, there was a time where I had an intense school project and I used to stay up late sometimes and I remember Dad doing decorative borders to help me out. I was really impressed as I had never seen an artistic side to him.
My parents and I used to go shopping to Southall Broadway for any Indian groceries as back then they were not readily available locally and we would rent some Punjabi or Indian movies for the weekend family movie night. If we were shopping for a while Dad used to get some fresh bites to eat, in particular he used to get these chicken tikka pieces frequently and they were just so tasty. They used to hit the spot each time. He got  Mum something vegetarian and me and him would eat this delicious chicken in the car or take it home for my brother and sister. I’ll be honest I’ve never tasted chicken like that in any restaurant now. I can still feel the taste in my mouth now many years on when I think about it.
In 2009 when I came home from university Dad and I redecorated my whole room. It was such a fun and great learning experience as I loved to do DIY with my Dad. My dad took pride in his work and finished everything to perfection. He had a particular way of doing things which now days even professional can’t beat. I really enjoyed decorating my room with him and over the years I’ve learnt a few things from him but nowhere near enough as I would like to have including cars. I guess it’s because he wanted me to study hard and focus on that.
Both my parents were so happy and proud of me at my graduation just like every parent would be of their child but my Dad got me this cute little teddy bear with glasses, robes on and holding a paper in its hand. Dad was so overjoyed and he said to me I got this for you and I thought it was so cute.
Dad was a very funny man always laughing and joking, he used to do funny expressions and silly actions to cheer me up if I was moody or annoyed about something and eventually I would smile or laugh. Everybody loved him because of his jokes, heart of gold and him being there to help anytime if anyone needed it. He used to call me by a few names such as baby one, poppadoll , bubbling. Mum and Dad were the first of any relatives to settle in the UK in 1964 and after that they contributed to give a head start to many friends and family to help them settle here despite being in hardship themselves at times.  Both my parents were welcoming and hospitable, our doors were always open for family and friends. I’m very grateful to be a child of such special and brilliant parents and the upbringing I have received from them is incredible.  I love them both infinitely and I hope I get my parents in every life I’m granted each time.