Kamal Kumar Srivastava

"Baba".

"Nanu".

"Papa".

"Kammy".

"Sir".

Those words just echo back to us today. There is no one to respond to those calls.

There is a massive hole in our hearts.

Today, that hole looks full of sadness, disappointment, pain, betrayal and even anger. These emotions seem unsurmountable. And they should be… we miss him.

But as those raw emotions burn through the next few days, there is a treasure trove of memories which will stay with all of us. There are teachings, experiences, laughs and a few silly secrets with the close ones.

"Baba" would become a wolf and howl along with us. "Baba" would always quiz on math problems and be so proud of us all the time. Although he was hard on hearing but had a twinkle in his eyes for everything we had to say.

"Nanu" came to watch my games. "Nanu" came to watch my plays. "Nanu" talked me about God in his own ways. I have seen his eyes lit up and his face glow when he would look at me. And I would feel my heart full in his company.

"Papa" was a father, a teacher, a coach and above all he was our force field. He challenged us to aspire higher and never to look back…. even when he was being left behind. We were his world and that did not change even when we flew out of the nest. He told me in his own weird way, "Jaa ab meri zindagi jee".

Papa was a stubbornly positive man who taught me there is no other way to look at life but as "glass half full". He was my biggest cheerleader who would sing my praises to embarrassment and my knight in shining armor who would save me from every tough time.

"Kammy" was a word of endearment which was spoken a gazillion times in our household. My Mom called for this when she needed help in the house or was yelled when she needed him to listen to her. In the five decades spent together, Mom and Dad loved, lived, traveled, raised a family and grew old to become loving grandparents.

"Sir" in the classrooms was a professor who influenced the next generation. His teachings will live with all his students who, today, are influencing their next generations. As an educator, he will live in generations to come without them even knowing.

Kamal lived a full life - measured not just by the 75 years he was with us, but by his love and teachings that he left behind. By his accomplishments and his imperfections. By smiles and tears left behind.

When asked if there was anything left in his Bucket List, there was only one thing which came up - that he wanted to compose a song. I learned a lot from him but a sense of music was not one. So I will quote his favorite song…

"Jeena yahan, marna yahan

Iske siwa jaana kahan…

Kal khel mein, hum hon na hon

Gardish mein taare rahenge sadaa

Bhoologe tum, bhoolenge woh

Par hum tumhaare rahenge sadaa"

A funeral service for Kamal Kumar will be held Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Cook Walden Funeral Home, 6100 N. Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78752.