Take care of your parents...
"A simple air ticket for my father, his first flight, brought emotions and made me realize
that how much we all take for granted when it comes to our parents.
Being families of militarymen - we have spent our entire life travelling by trains. Having served the military myself - most of my journeys also took the railway route. It was only after the 'service' & joining the corporate bandwagon that we took to flying.
Retirement got my parents settling in our hometown. However, I climbed the corporate ladder, and mostly remained far-flung. While I flew around, my parents always yet boarded the train when visiting me. Not that I never asked him why - but they were comfortable that way -- so did I presume!
Yrs. went by - I raised my own family - parents visited us many a times, but the frequency reduced with father's failing health. Then one day I bought them Air Tickets, for their return flight, rather than the usual railway pass. 'Coz, this time we were residing pretty far from our hometown - and I understood that dad would now be in discomfort taking the train.
Having never traveled by air before... the moment I handed over the tickets to my Dad, he was surprised - enquired why? I said - "just took this opportunity to make u experience the same".
The excitement was [very] apparent on his face, waiting for the time of travel. Just like a school boy, he was preparing himself for the day - asked many questions - couple of them frivolous, so I thought. And on the D-day we all went to the airport, to see-them-off.
Right from pushing the baggage trolley to the check-in -- asking for the window seat - sipping the usual tea & snacks in the lounge - and waiting restlessly for the security check - then moving towards the cordon, when the boarding was called - he was very childlike. Was I amused? U bet! He was thoroughly enjoying himself, and I too was overcome with joy watching him experience all these things.
As they were about to go in for the security checks, we bade farewell - wished them a happy journey - he took a few steps, then stalled for a while - turned & walked back to me, with tears in his eyes he said, "Thank You". He became very emotional... and it was not as if I had done something great - but the fact that this meant a great deal to him. It was a moment I can never forget...
As he thanked me, I told him there was no need.
But that sure did get me thinking.
While driving back, I couldn't hold my tears as well...
I looked back at my life... the entire childhood - adolescent - younger days - my convocation - my first job - my leaving home for the Military Academy - my first annual vacation in uniform - my wedding day - the birth of my kid/s ETC. -- were flashing-back. And always my Dad was beside me - happy & encouraging... doing his best for me, sometimes against all odds. In my joy was his joy - in my sorrow he was sad as well, but showed me the path. Did I ever thank him?
As a child how many dreams our parents have made come true. Without giving a second thought we asked them many things ['favours' I'd think now] - toys any time - the Cosco racket - that seamless football - dresses, shoes every 6 months, outings/picnics, repeated trips to the Bombay Circus, cinema tickets for every James Bond release [Spy Who Loved Me?], Ensuring Mom accompanied me for The Exorcist? -holding her hands while Linda Blair blurted? -though she had just returned from her office! -but did I care?
Irrespective of their affordability, they have satisfied all our needs. Did we ever think about the sacrifices they had to make to accommodate many of our wishes? Did we understand the financial burden we bestowed upon them when we had to take that 'two weeks' excursion to the hilltop resort? How about that Suzuki we bought when at first-yr of college? -did we think twice when Dad took loan from his provident fund for it? There were many such escapades, which we dreamt of & got fulfilled.
Did we ever say thanks for all that they did for us?
Similarly, today - when it comes to our children, we always think that we should do the best for them. We have to put them in the best school, regardless of the capitation fee that may come along... and the bells & whistles yr long. We ensure that our children get the Nitendo-DSi [now the 3DS too], don't we? They also must visit the Wonderworld a few months apart. And the toys? Every Barbie in the globe has to be in their hands as well... while they ought to have the Netbook by grade-2 -- iPad at grade-3... iPod??
But, we tend to overlook that our parents did similarly for our sake - to see us happy, for our every smile. Thus, isn't it is our responsibility to ensure that their dreams are realized too? And what they failed to see/enjoy when they were young [mostly sacrificing for us], isn't it our responsibility to ensure that they experience all those and their life is complete?
Many a times, when my parents had asked me some questions, I had actually answered back without patience... sometimes in dismal retorts. When my daughter or son asks me something - I have been very polite & deliberated too. Now, while driving back, I realized how hurt they'd have felt at those moments. How inconsiderate I was towards their magnanimity...
Folks, let us realize that 'old age' is a second childhood - and just as we take care of our children, we need to pay the same attention, offer/provide the same care to our parents & elders as well !
Rather than my dad saying thank you to me, I would want to say 'sorry' for making him wait so long for this small dream. I do realize how much he had in stake for my sake... how he always went that extra mile. And I would do my ultimate to give the best possible attention to all their wishes. It's no more a need - it's my divine duty!
Folks, pls do take care of your parents...
I know u do !
Qorax
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"I shall pass this way but once, Therefore any kindness I can show or any help I can give, Let me give it Now, for I will not pass this way Again."
