Learning about my Dad

Today is my father's birthday, he would have turned 72 had he lived. But he passed on when he was 58, during my first year of law school. I spoke to my Mom about him and found out interesting stuff about his history, my history.

I have been reading In the Line of Fire, a memoir Pervez Musharraf, the President of Pakistan, which is the place where my parents are from.

In the beginning of his book, he describes his family's journey from India to Pakistan during the bloody partition which was deadly for both Muslims and Hindus, Indians and the newly formed Pakistanis. The President was about 4, and somewhere on that train or a train just like was a 13 year old boy named Tajammul Gill. My father was 13 when he joined thousands across the new border transferring into new land, hopefully to a new home. To avoid being killed, he was hidden under a carpet basket so that no one would notice, and luckily he escaped harm. How scared he must have been, wondering each moment whether it would be the end. Perhaps as a 13 year old, he was not in fear, but happy to leave India to go to Pakistan with his family, or perhaps he was angry or so terrified at what he witnessed on that ride. I will perhaps never know, at least not for a long while.

Apparently, my Father's family had not always been Muslim. A few generations back (Great grandfather I think), a Sikh family with the name "Gill" had several children, including boys and girls in a family of landowners.

Since there was a family near by of Muslim faith, and that family could not have children, one of the sons was provided with love and trust to the Muslim family. That boy was raised Muslim, and began my Father's heritage to end up in Pakistan.

I never knew these details, nor the path that my Father took to bring himself over to Pakistan. I often wish that he could tell me stories to answer the hundreds of questions I have for him. As a Mother, a wife, a lawyer, a woman of Pakistani/Sikh and actually Afghan heritage (that part was from my Mother's side), I discover new questions everyday that I would love to ask him. A long time ago, when he was around, I often sat with him and chatted about how I believed the world would be a world of peace one day, and that my life would be one of hope. He was a happy man, and despite his many sufferings, he could always find a smile and find time to take a walk with me and just chat, as a Father and as a friend. But when I was younger, I knew so little about what life would become, and I often miss his great advice, and he was so reasonable!!! At least in my eyes, he was just, considerate and very funny, always full of charm.

Well, it is his birthday today, and I think he is listening. I love you Dad and miss you all the time. My family, Pieter, Isabella and Alec would have absolutely adored you, but for what they do know, I think they already do. Bella even said a prayer for you this morning to remember you! : )