REAL TREASURE

After few months of my marriage my parents suddenly grew older. The reason could not be understood. It is obvious that old age in itself is biggest illness but in case of my parents age cannot be blamed totally. Mom developed a heart problem and my father suffered from slight effect on memory. Me, my brother and sisters being quite far from them, arranged the best doctors in the city for parents, but were not able to come to them immediately. The treatment got started but there was no remarkable improvement. Then I decided to visit my parents’ in order to check what the matter was exactly. To my surprise health of my parents got noticeably deteriorated. They lost weight, health and all enthusiasm.

I decide to stay for some time to look after them. Although I was able to extend my stay for 15 days but within a week my parents got much active and healthy than I and doctor expected. I was quite satisfied and happy while leaving home as my parents recovered eighty five percent and were quite confident. This incident made me realize that children are the actual source of energy for parents.

My parents who were suffering due to bad health from months magically overcame it when I visited them in just a fortnight. What does this mean? They actually needed that emotional confidence and not long medical prescriptions in order to be healthy again. Since then I made a point to call my parents and in-laws at least once in a day, and if not long then at least for two minutes. This unseen connection between me and my parents give them a sense of nearness, love, affection and care from miles away and also a reason to take a very good care of them self. 

I narrated my experience because like my parents there are many old aged couples who are leading their life alone, miles away from their children since children are working in some other country or town. When asked to settle down with children they refuse, not because their kids do not love them or incapable to take care of them but because they become so much acquainted with their surroundings that there develops a comfort zone for them. They have got a circle in the native place, everybody knows them and things get much easily approachable. Considering their comfort it doesn’t seems to be a wise decision to move the parents from their native place to an unknown place, especially when both partners are working. But now as we can see that in the cities the risk for old couples is increasing day by day. News papers tells us the story that how murders of old people is being followed with thefts. It really becomes dilemma to leave parents alone even.

The best that we can do is to be in touch with them as much as possible as our phone calls and visits act as lifeline and fills them with the magical feeling called self confidence. They get energized with zeal and life. Simultaneously we have to be prepared for day when the charge of being parents of your parents has to be taken. It is when parents won’t be able to take the things on their own anymore. On that day when they will be kids once again we have be more responsible and as kids are never left alone so with love and care from nuclear families we have to shift to joint family. The only thing required is tolerance, love and patience.

Whenever you feel lack of these virtues while dealing with your old parents who grow stubborn with age then just imagine that how your parents tolerated you with the same virtues when after drenching the whole bed at the mid night you cried for the whole night at the top of your pitch and your parents passed another sleepless night in comforting you singing lullabies. How without giving a second thought your father cancelled his urgent meeting when your mother told that you have got to be taken to the doctor for vaccination. How your mom delayed to buy a pair of footwear to watch you playing video game on your birthday. How your parents sacrificed all their luxuries in order to secure your future funds. How your mother announced that she never liked pancakes seeing three pieces for four people. Examples are uncountable.

With every passing moment the time that you can be with your parents is reducing. One day as per the law of the world they will be gone for ever. So give them as much happiness as you can. Remember your parents are your real treasure, once lost never be back and nothing else can ever replace their place so keep them safely.    

Published in Koramangala Times, Banglore.