Our parents
A simple man tells how his booking an air ticket for his father, his first
flight, brought emotions and made him realize that how much we all take for
granted when it comes to our parents.
My parents left for our native place on Thursday and we went to the airport
to see them off. In fact, my father had never traveled by air before, so I
just took this opportunity to make him experience the same. In spite of
being asked to book tickets by train, I got them tickets on lufthansa.
The moment I handed over the tickets to him, he was surprised to see that
I had booked them by air. The excitement was very apparent on his face,
waiting for the time of travel. Just like a school boy, he was preparing
himself on that day and we all went to the airport, right from using the
trolley for his luggage, the baggage check-in and asking for window seat
and waiting restlessly for the security check-in to happen. 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 check-in, he walked up to me
with tears in his eyes and thanked me. 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.
When he said thanks, I told him there was no need to thank me.
But later, thinking about the entire incident, I looked back at my life.
As a child how many dreams our parents have made come true. Without
understanding the financial situation, we ask for football, dresses, toys,
outings, etc. Irrespective of their affordability,they have satisfied to all
our needs. Did we ever think about the sacrifices they had to make to
accommodate many of our wishes?
Did we ever say thanks for all that they have done for us?
Same way, today when it comes to our children, we always think that we
should put them in a good school. Regardless of the amount of donation, we
will ensure that we will have to give the child the best, theme parks,
toys, etc. But we tend to forget that our parents have sacrificed a lot for
our sake to see us happy, so it is our responsibility to ensure that their
dreams are realized and what they failed to see when they were young, it is
our responsibility to ensure that they experience all those and their life
is complete.
Many times, when my parents had asked me some questions, I have actually
answered back without patience. When my daughter asks me something, I have
been very polite in answering. Now I realize how they would have felt at
those moments.
Let us realize that old age is a second childhood and just as we take care
of our children,the same attention and same care need to be given to our
parents and elders.
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 has sacrificed for my sake and I will do my best to give the best
possible attention to all their wishes. Just because they are old does not
mean that they will have to give up everything and keep sacrificing for
their grandchildren also. They have wishes, too.
Take care of ur parents.
