Old Age

I was reading in the papers about an old man who had had to live in a shed behind a school. He had been living there for 5 years since he had left home due to a quarrel with his wife. His children refused to acknowledged him and even now during the eid adha that has just finished, none of his children visited him or has given him new clothes to celebrate the festival.

The old man said that he didn't care much about the clothes. It was the hurt that he felt when his two boys looked at him as they would to a stranger. The younger son even gave him a RM 5 for him to buy lunch. It's the same as being treated like a poor beggar! He told the press how he still remember that it took the doctor 40 mins to help get the first son into the world. The nurse than brought the baby out to the waiting room so that the old man could whisper the 'azan' and 'iqamah' into the child's ears.

It is sad to read stories like this one. When parents go separate ways and the children take sides. There might be another story behind this, but as a child, we usually see our parents only as 'our parents' that it might never occur to you that they are living their own lives too. They also have their dreams, hopes and problems that you would never know.

I used to listen to old folks at 'homes' recalling with fondness of their children. Their faces radiant, eyes shining..and then turning to sadness or bitterness when they suddenly realized where they were: at old folks home..

Would there be enough compassion in the children's heart to forgive whatever mistake that the parents did? For parents are human too..and might make mistakes in their life. Sometimes it's hard when the childhood memory was bitter but try to find a space in your heart to accept them especially at their age. If you have done a big mistake, wouldn't you pray and hope that God would forgive you? If you can't find it in your heart to love them, just treat them as you would have liked your children to treat you when you are older. Life is a cycle...

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Hmm..talking about this, might be a good idea to have a back up plan. To keep aside some money while I am still young and pay a monthly deposit to reserve a space at an old folk's home. That way I can go and check in anytime after I retired. Going on my own will, using my own money, with my laptop..ooo..what a thought. (Smile) That might avoid cat from being a bitter old lady.

God..hope it won't ever come to this scenario. Sorry..(grin) I sometimes do have this tendency to lighten things up when things get too depressive. Between tears and laughter, I would prefer laughter..(unless the reason for the tears is happiness). The message in this post is still there, I hope so.
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