Dr.Reni Paulose
48 years, orthopaedic surgeon, Ministry of Health Hospital, Umm Al Quwain Daughter: Abigail, 18 years
Son: Derick, 16 years
Alarger than life character; a colourful personality - one who enjoyed life to the fullest; a selfless and generous person – my dad was all these and much more. He was not the type to express his love openly; there would be no hugs or declarations of ‘I love you’. Instead, it was through his actions that my elder sister and I experienced his love and understood the extent of his affection towards us.
Reminiscing about dad brings back fond memories of my childhood. I was a naughty kid, and I remember how he was constantly running behind me with a stick! Later, as I grew a little older, all it took was a single look - often accompanied by a sarcastic jibe - to drive home his displeasure or disapproval. It was when I got married, left home, and began to raise my own family that I truly began to miss my father; and realised just how much he cared for me.
There are many traits of his that I find inspiring and have tried to emulate in my life as well. For one, he was very just in his dealings; he was always fair and honest. And he was also a generous person who went out of his way to help anyone who came to him with a need. It was only when he passed away, around two years ago, that we learnt of the magnitude of his generosity as people poured in to pay respects to the person, they said, had helped with their children’s education, in building their house, provided for medical expenses, and so on.
For my father, acquiring and accumulating wealth was never a motivating influence. He believed in enjoying life with what you have.
I am similar to him in many ways, but I know that I can never fill his shoes. Today, our house is empty without him but the way he embraced life with love, joy and happiness is a lesson worth replicating.
ABIGAIL: My dad is a man of very few words; and is slow to get angry but his words laced with sarcasm lets you know exactly how he feels! Although I feel closer to mom, it has always been my dad who comes to my support when she doesn’t.
Both my dad and grandfather are very joyous people – I have never seen either of them sad.
DERICK: Very few things make my dad prone to anger; what triggers it is when I am on a gadget for too long; or when I make silly mistakes when answering simple questions in subjects he coaches me. I think both my dad and grandfather are similar in their reluctance to express their feelings verbally, but we know that behind the restrained exterior lies a caring and kind heart.