Sunday, September 17, 2006

Parents

All I want to say in this post is please dont find excuse to not be with parents, not help parents. Actually you should find excuse to help them and be with them. (And this applies to both parents as well as in-laws. No distinction.)

Check this email forward that reached me. I agree with what it is trying to say.

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An IT guy describes how his gesture of booking an air ticket for his father, his maiden flight, brought forth a rush of 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 Jet Airways.

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 sports gear, fancy clothes, toys, outings, etc. Irrespective of their affordability,they have catered 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? Better yet, do you even think just thanks is enough?

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...Please!!!

24 comments:

starry said...

This letter touched my heart.It is so true we take our parents for granted. Me for one, always regret the fact that I never said Thank you to my parents and they died. I never thought this would happen, it was to soon.I wish now that I had, I alsys thought they would be here for me.I was only 23.I really miss them.I wish I had another chance to thank them for everything they did and the many sacrifices they made for me.

Keshi said...

very emotional post...had me in tears. I say thanks to my mum almost everyday in whatever ways I can...I take her to almost all the places I go, even concerts :) and when we go out for lunch/dinner with friends, I NEVER leave her out.


Keshi.

ketki said...

very touching letter, i must say!
every person who loves his/her parents does take a very good care of them!

Vaibhav J said...

Brought tears in my eyes, very true about every person. When we r small we dont realise the value of their sacrifices, but when we face the same things as parents, we realise it.
As everyone, even i have disrespected my parent on several occasions, hurted them with some decisions. But a few years back when i was 20, i had the alarming sense of my parents value, when they stood behind me even when the whole world was against me (for some reason of my wrong doing) and saved me. Only because they r my parents.
I respect them a lot and would try and give them everything that they ever dreamt of.
It takes time for some to realise and act, but i ask all of u to better act before its too late....

Krithika said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Krithika said...

beautiful post:') I'm not the ideal kid either :( i shout at them when I'm terribly pissed off..so after this post there'll be sumthung stoppin me frm doin that..wonderful again!

Anonymous said...

What a great reminder of a lesson we should never, NEVER forget. The writer was right, we do take so much of what our parents have done for granted, and I don't beleive - no matter how hard we try - that we ever can repay them for what they have done. But, I also beleive that they don't expect that, that just as when we were young, even the smallest simplest gestures can mean the most to them. Thats why a visit, a phone call or a letter is so invaluable. I think, if we remain consience of that - we are even in the end. Take care!

Movie Mazaa said...

Quite an evocative post. I am sure your parents wud be proud to have a son as you!!! And perhaps its bit of a coincidence that I penned something similar just yday on my blog!! :)

Mumbai Guy said...

Starry : Sorry to hear about your loss. If possible try to make sure no one around you makes mistakes wid parents.

Keshi : That is one more nice thing to hear about you. You know most of the people try to ditch parents only because they are ashamed in front of friends. So that makes you really nice.

Mumbai Guy said...

Ketki - Agree with your line.

Vaibhav - Nice example you have in there. Appreciate your sharing it here.

Kritika - If there is even one thing someone does nice after reading my random thoughts, I am trully blessed. Thanks.

Mumbai Guy said...

Meg - This post actually started from your bday post;) Agree and like your thoughts.

Velu - Every parent is proud of thier child. And I hope we dont disappoint them. Hey, I even saw some news related to this topic. Just more than a coincidence.

rachana said...

hello...made me cry...i do it..even for other old people..if you can read and understand hindi read my post "vruddh"..
(www.rachanabajaj.wordpress.com)
a bit awkward for me to give my address here but i want to share it with you...and just yestday my father in law appriciated me that i do care for him more than his SON!!!I will continue to be good to everyone......

Krithika said...

and i have blogrolled u! so pls keep postin in ur comments to mine

AJ ! Serendipity !!! said...

dada
u r an awesome child. ur parents must b so proud of u :)

Sree said...

This is an awesome post... stopped by for the first time, it is an interesting site.. will keep coming back.

Keshi said...

Ashamed infront of friends? Who r we trying to please here. Friends or our own blood who brought us up and gave us all they've got. ppl who r ashamed of their parents should be ashamed of themselves!

Keshi.

SCRIBBLEZ TO WAKEUP said...

I am so very touched and sointo this..Every word is biting true...I too want to send my parents on a Malaysian vacation (coz Dad was born in Malaysia and spent almost 7 years there and he dotes tht place)....I should do it, lemme get a job ASAP!!!!

Mayur said...

yep preety true yaar..
very touching indeed..

Mumbai Guy said...

Rachana : That is so good of you to care for others. Compliments from in-laws is very rare and I could say you are very lucky and good.

Kritika : Thanks. I do read all your posts.

Ajay : Like I said before, all parents are proud of thier children. I think.

Mumbai Guy said...

Sush : Thanks much.

Keshi : I know of such people. Its true. And I have same questions as you.

Scribb : All da best in your job hunting.

Mayur : Howz you doing buddy?

Kalpana said...

It's true and we all must take care of them. Your site is interesting.

think said...

Such a sweet post and a great message MG. When I read it, I became emotional thinking of my mom ......

Your post is such an eye opener for many ppl' who do not take care of thier parents.... They too have a heart and small wishes....

SugarBitz n MilkyBar said...

Lovely lovely thots, mumbai guy!

Priyanka Mahanta Pandiyan said...

A simply beautiful thought and post. This is one perspective of life that we tend to forget, ignore or take for granted. Thanks for the reminder, dude. It sure helped me to re-fresh that aspect of life...