My kids say that I am behind the times.  They argue with me about the importance of looking good. They tell me that I dress in the most drab fashion and therefore I look twenty years older than I am actually.

I know they are not wrong to an extent. I do dress very simply. I have four pair of suits that I wear to office. I have been wearing them from last three years. They are quite comfortable so I have never felt the need to get new clothes for me. I can wear them for three more years. But my son says that they look like rags. I guess he is not completely wrong.

I was a shy boy and my parents also never gave too much attention to clothes. So I ended up paying absolutely no attention to the way I am looking. I don’t remember ever wearing colours like orange, yellow, pink or mauve. I simply didn’t have the confidence to carry them. So I continued with my black, brown, grey and occasionally navy blue choice of colours.

On my last birthday, my kids gifted me an orange T- shirt. I was very apprehensive about wearing it. But my ever determined kids (they have got this quality from their mother) made me wear it. And not only that, they made plans to go out with me, wearing the same T- shirt. Suddenly I found myself standing out in the crowd. I could no longer gel with background. A sudden unknown sinking feeling gripped my heart. I know I am sounding very stupid but please try to understand me. I am too much used to be a part of the group. And here I was standing alone.

We enjoyed a lot that day. Coincidentally, I met a female colleague of mine in the ice cream parlour. She was shocked, to say the least. But she spoke very warmly to me and told me that I am looking different and good. I must admit, it made me happy. My kids were giving me funny stares. I chose to ignore them completely.

In last one year, my kids and wife have gifted me many clothes. I wear them occasionally and each time I feel like a new person. I feel young now. It’s all because of my kids. I am glad God gave them to me. They are my biggest blessings.

But now I must say goodbye to you. Today there is a sort of celebration at my office. They are celebrating the profits that the company earned in last one year. I hope I reach on time. Take care.

The celebration at office involved giving away awards to employees. The best dressed award of the year was given to the “common man”.