"Mom and Dad it's just the begining of the new Century and a new era for us. I guess we will continue to be a role model for me. Boy, we'll have a big party for the Golden Jubilee!!!"
They are a delight. They control the situation very well and has the principles which has earned them a reputation in the society
"OK Guys, I have come a long way making a trip to the States. Disney Land, Sea World, Niagara, New York but no place like Goa. "
My Mom, a native from the town of Sirsaim is married to my Dad in Aldona for a period of more than 30 years. She is a cool character. Quite understanding and ready to advice/help people in need. Through their efforts they have made us all proud to have them as their Mom and Dad. We did not have all the luxuries in life but her patience and dedication towards her motherhood made us realize how to conquer our needs. She taught us what is right for us and gave us the right education especially in the initial stages for us to realize the importance of education for our better future.
From Virginia, U.S.A if I take a flashback on my life, I am still amazed at the way of life that she has lived. She has got strong belief and strong faith in God . I am really proud to be in the place right now in my position as a respected individual and I take pride in dedicating my achievments to her.
When I was young and it was playtime, I would normally listen to her advice and believe it or not, something or the other used to happen if I did not do the things which she said. One one occasion I fractured my left hand followed by a cut glass in my foot whilst playing. Oooh!! It still hurts when I think of it. But though I was naughty I guess I did not give her a tough time after all.
She taught us to be self-reliant. We had an acre of field which we use to cultivate in the marshy lands near by. She put in a lot of hard work to get the winter and summer crop to keep all of us satisfied with the day-to-day requirements. I appreciate the hard work and dedication that she is doing and and I believe that she is the greatest Mom and my best friend.
When we were young she often used to say that "My sons will go Abroad and take her to show too to visit the new places. Finally, one of her dreams came true when she came over here in the Summer of 1999. My brother got married in April 1999 and it was a treat to have here with us. She stayed here in States for a period of 4 months before flying down to India to return to her daily chores.
Just when she thought that she was happy that all the guys are well off and settled, more work sets in. She is the proud Grandma of a baby girl born to my Sister Maria on the 27th of December 1999. I guess she is pretty ecstatic as we are to welcome the first grand-child in our family. Gosh and since we are Six of us, you really dont know what she is expecting in the future.
Her interest's include Gardening, Crochet ( She was conducting classes for a batch of students for crochet , a trade which is slowly diminishing). Her collections of Crochet and other handicrafts are breathtaking. She also likes Music and her favorite CD is "Come On Over - by Shania Twain". Birthday : August 13th
I guess it's time to talk about my Dad. Together with my Mom, they are a great pair of Companions. Dad I should say is not such a cool character. With Strong principles aided by the hot Rod temper, he was one of the most fiersome guy of his time. That does'nt mean that he is less fearsome now, but now I guess he is more relaxed not taking the tensions about the realities of life.
My Dad was the sole bread winner for the family. From what I hear, the family on both sides were not very rich to make all the ends meet. He started working at the age of 17 on the Barges for Mining Company called Raja-Banekar. I guess he must be happy to meet my mom on one of his visits to her place near the mine fillers. After a lot of hard work in the Company, he changed his job to better his prospects and joined a new Company by name of M/S Salgaokar Enterprises. With his hard work he rose to the post of Engine Driver. Amoung his other achievements, he was also a Labour Union leader for quite some time.
Inspite of earning a reasonable sum of money at his time he was still happy to be with his family all the time and never ventured out to seek better prospects in the foreign countries. I guess we were lucky to have him in our midst all the time inculcating in all of us the values and principles of life. He taught us to be self-reliant and often said to my Mom " Give them whatever necessary to proceed in education. Styles, they can earn and follow". Sometimes we were dissapointed about some of the things, but later on we began to realize that Good edcuation will pay dividends. This is evident in our flag standings in our family : Five Post-Graduate degree holders and , One graduate.
I guess his work did not finish on the Barges. In the rainy season, his vaction was spent in cultivating the fields and subsequent work involved, sometimes the tension ran high to the point of taking salt and soda, but those were the days. Everything was fair in love and war. I guess I have to mention that we also went swimming with our Dad in the peak seasons to catch the big/small fishes in the close-by lakes close to our home. Instructions as to how to handle the nets and fish were interesting. I guess he thinks that Fish runs away from him. One other belief was not to meet a particular person whilst going to catch fish less we return empty handed without any fish. Those were the times and I still wonder if that is true because it happened to us once.
With his honesty and principles, he has carved himself a highly respectable place in the Society. I forget to mention that we had the goats also since at a very young age. Goats Milk!!!!. Have it and see what you have missed all these years. Dad never used to play a lot since at a very young age whilst he was playing football, he got a face hit and all the teeth had gone one by one by the time he was forty. I often wonder what difference it will make in kissing. Any helping hand???. other than my mom ofcourse. My younger brother Savio sometimes teases him as "Tiger" for his burst of short temper.
I guess even at my age of twenty-three, along with everyone in the family were kind of scared when he got mad at times. I am sure that all my brothers and sisters will remember some moments in which we believed that it was not just his day. But it was forgotten in a few days and life was back to normal as though nothing really happened. I must admit that my relationship with him was a very formal one. Basically some things which I could not compromise with and vice-versa and I guess the concept of Generation-Gap also played its part. it depends on each one's perception of the world present then and I guess I may have done the same thing.
Now he is retired and enjoying his life, at home helping Mom with her chores and now also got a grand-daughter to play with. He is aspiring for a baby boy and I guess a grand party awaits for the lucky couple.
Even though we had a some misunderstandings and arguments sometimes, I appreciate the hard work and dedication he undertook to pave the way for a better future to all of us. With all of us doing pretty well, I believe he is satisfied to see that his efforts really paid off. But on the other side of it, to manage six kids with the local earnings is quite and achievement for him. Guy's at my work place used to ask me " How many guys are you" and when I said six, they go, "Your Dad must be a really hot guy".
Birthday : February 4th Among other things, his interest's include advicing people in their ventures, Fishing, Watching Comedy shows, Long walks and Music. I guess his favorite single is "Cecilia".
With the best of both of them, I wish them good luck and the best of health as we turn around to face the new millenium with fresh challenges. I am sure they will continue to be in the strong old relationship for the fast approaching Golden Wedding Anniversary. And Boy what a joyous moment that would be for us and to a whole lot of folks in town. Looking forward to getting all the cooperation and support that they have extended so far in my ventures towards life and I am proud to be in the Fernandes Family. They say it's not in the name, but we know it.
I will be going down in a couple of months along with my Fiancee Miss Amanda. It's time for the big party as we tie the knot on the 29th of April which also happens to be my birthday. I guess my parents and all the relatives are waiting eagerly to Rock and Roll.
I miss my Mom and Dad. I love them very dearly. Can't wait to be with them.
