Agga's Memories: A Letter to My Son ( 1 )

 

My dearest son,

Whenever you miss me, please read this . Read it again and again, for it is the only way I can speak to you now. Know that Papa loves you very much.

A World Within Four Walls: My Childhood

We were three siblings: my two elder sisters and me. As the youngest and the only son, I often found myself adrift in a sea of solitude. While my sisters had each other, I sought solace in the vibrant world of my toys. My room was a universe unto itself, populated by a vast collection of cars, trucks, and even a miniature farm. I would spend countless hours constructing elaborate roads and bridges, imagining grand adventures for my tiny vehicles.

Team sports like football held little appeal for me. I wasn't as familiar with them, and my sisters had their own games. Instead, I turned to the boundless landscapes of books. They became my portals to new worlds and ideas. Among my favorites were Jonathan Livingston Seagull, which ignited within me a passion for pursuing my dreams; The Charioteer by Bhagwati Charan Verma, a Hindi novel brimming with adventure and heroism; and the Burmese version of Lateral Thinking, which sparked my curiosity and taught me to approach problems from unconventional angles. My son, if you ever have the time, I highly recommend these three books. They profoundly shaped who I am.

Books became my companions, my mentors, my refuge. They illuminated the world around me and nurtured my own thoughts and ideas. Though loneliness was a frequent visitor, I learned to cherish the power of imagination and the sheer joy of discovery.

Facing the Darkness: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

You may recognize this title – it's from a movie, yes! But it perfectly encapsulates a pivotal memory, one that has profoundly shaped my life's path.

In our home, a dressing room stood just before the toilet. It was a sanctuary exclusively used by my sisters, a space I rarely ventured into. At night, the journey to the toilet became a gauntlet of fear. As I walked past the dressing room door, my imagination would conjure terrifying images. I envisioned eyes glinting in the darkness, unseen figures lurking in the corners. Each time, I would bolt past the door, my heart hammering against my ribs.

But this fear began to gnaw at me. Was I truly so cowardly? Was I not brave enough to confront my fear? These questions became a relentless refrain in my mind. Then, one night, as I approached the dreaded dressing room, I made a decision. Instead of fleeing, I plunged headfirst into the darkness, determined to face whatever lay within.

My body trembled as I stood in the pitch-black room. I held my breath, bracing for some unseen horror to lunge at me. But nothing happened. Slowly, the fear that had gripped me began to dissipate, replaced by a burgeoning sense of calm. I realized there was nothing to fear. From that day forward, the dressing room held no terror for me.

This experience instilled in me a powerful lesson: "Dare to face your fears" and "Do it first." However, my son, I also learned that this isn't always the wisest course of action. There have been times in my life when I've acted impulsively, without considering the consequences, and those actions led to mistakes. Regret, my son, can be a far heavier burden than fear itself. So, be courageous, but temper your bravery with careful thought. Strive to find the delicate balance between courage and contemplation. This kind of behavior I now term "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly."

A Father's Wish

These are just a few fragments of my life, my son. I hope they offer you a glimpse into the heart and mind of your father. Learn from my triumphs, and more importantly, from my mistakes. Embrace life with courage, curiosity, and a thoughtful heart.