Carrying on my Father’s Creative Legacy
Carrying on my father’s creative legacy
Be it a wedding or a child’s first birthday or people’s 25th wedding anniversary … a poem from my dad was always on people’s wish lists. No matter the location or occasion, no celebration was ever complete without Dad’s poems. Bills needed to be paid, but he made sure his soul was nourished too with creativity—my father was an engineer by day and a poet by night.
My father was a married man with two children—older brother and me. We spent a tiny part of my childhood in India. My parents later moved to North Africa when I was 7 years old, and we lived there for 15 years. He had a stressful job (like many parents), but he always, always, always, made room for writing.
He was the life of every party, and his words were revered by all. My father was also a social change maker who could be seen at marches trying to make the world a better place. He started the tradition of celebrating International Women’s Day in North Africa with his friends for all the ladies in the group. The men cooked, babysat, cleaned, and there was always a poem by my dad to honor Mom and the rest of the aunties in their friend circle.
After my parents moved back to India, they both joined Rotary International. My father not only became the President of his chapter but also took over the editorial job of Rotary’s magazine. Getting submissions from writers, editing the collection, making trips to the printers—he thrived being a part of the writing process. My father was so non-Ayurvedic with his sleep hygiene. You could find him at his laptop at 2am typing away. His quiet, creative moments when the world (and Mom) were asleep.
I recently received an offer to write my 15th book—it’s a self-help book for those navigating grief. Reality is that grief is just as much a real part of our lives as joy. We can’t fold it neatly and put it away. It does grow fangs and repressed emotions can eventually make you sick. Grief isn’t just about losing a loved one. Grief—an expected response stemming from loss—can show up when we lose a job, or a friendship ends, or divorce happens or when you lose your home or the death of a loved one. Grief is inevitable, and this book will equip people with tips to handle raw and real times.
People ask how I manage to write daily despite all other commitments in my life—be it work, business, PhD, family, health, home, relationships, workouts, cooking etc. etc. etc. I reply with a smile, “It’s my dad’s teachings.” He always taught me to make time for what and who matters. And to not take on the pressure of being a Superwoman. “Order take out,” he would suggest when we’d throw dinner parties. He was the one who taught me that responsibilities shouldn’t have gender roles attached to them.
He would tell me that if I didn’t treat writing with the same respect and professionalism as my day job and carve out writing-time diligently, it would remain a hobby. He used to be thrilled when I went away on writing retreats. Maybe, he lived vicariously through me. He was the first person to purchase copies of my published books and give them to his friends.
I am feeling an immense sense of loss now that the man who gave the gift of writing is gone. A part of me is forever dead; but there is a new me that’s birthed to carry on Dad’s legacy with gratitude and pride. You know, the new book that I signed the contract for—it’s a book that my dad wanted me to write. He said we should normalize grief. It was one of the last things he asked for before he died surrounded by loved ones.
Three months after his passing, his friends have been sending me messages and screenshots of the poems he wrote for their special celebrations or their child’s first birthday. He won a poetry prize on Valentine’s Day earlier this year. Words—what my father breathed, and how prana or Qi or energy flows through my body. Three months of looking for my identity in a fatherless world, I am grateful he has left behind a creative legacy for me to carry forward.
“I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.” ~ Anne Frank
BIO: Sweta Srivastava Vikram is an international speaker, best-selling author of 13 books, and Ayurveda and wellness coach who is committed to helping people thrive on their own terms. Her latest book, “A Piece of Peace,” (Modern History press) was released in September 2021. As a trusted source on health and wellness, most recently appearing on NBC and Radio Lifeforce and in a documentary with Dr. Deepak Chopra, Sweta has dedicated her career to writing about and teaching a more holistic approach to creativity, productivity, health, and nutrition. Her work has appeared in The New York Times and other publications across nine countries on three continents. Sweta is getting a doctorate degree in Ayurveda, is a certified Ayurveda health practitioner, and holds a Master’s in Strategic Communications from Columbia University.
Voted as “One of the Most Influential Asians of Our Times” and winner of the “Voices of the Year” award (past recipients have been Chelsea Clinton), she lives in New York City with her husband and works with clients across the globe. She also teaches yoga, meditation, and mindfulness to survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence as well incarcerated men and women. Find her on: Twitter, Instagram, Linked
Category: On Writing
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