Someday We Will All Grow Old

Our parents brought us to the world.

Our cries and wailing fill the room when the nurse midwife smack our cute butt ensuring there is life. Our mothers cried tears of joy when we were put in her arms for the first time. Our dad who waited patiently outside the room gave a loud sigh of relief that both mother and child are safe and healthy.

I count my blessings for having my parents who loved me and continuously love me unconditionally; well … sometimes can be overprotective.

Some phases of my growing up life has been a struggle as the unconditional love showered by my parents were overbearing. That was what I thought being a teenager. Hah! But all that surpassed, and I am thankful for all they have taught me throughout.

My dad taught me about giving even when you don’t have enough.

My mom taught me to keep going regardless of what comes my way & not get defeated by circumstances. The latter I saw when she was cancer-stricken the second time.

I held onto these teachings as I journey along, paving through peaks and troughs in life.

When my brother came along, I was taught about sharing. Sharing my toys, sharing my playtime, etc. As we grew, we had our fair share of fights and arguments but as siblings we made up.

Our age increases as years go by and so do our parents. Each candle blown on the birthday cake shows sign of them slowing down and wisdom takes over.

I have cared for my late mom until she left us years back.

Now it is just my dad.

When spending time with our aged parents, watch closely to the changes in them.

If they used to be able to chew meat easily before, now they prefer meat cooked in method that softens the texture.

If they used to be able to bite off an apple, now they enjoy eating apple sliced slightly thin.

If they used to be able to walk around the mall shopping with us, now they look out for benches to take rest after half an hour brisk walking at the mall.

These are part of aging process. Being able to witness these aging changes of my parents, makes me think, “Someday, I will go through this process.” It is not an easy task caring for aged parents but, it also wasn’t an easy task for them caring for us when they brought us to the world.

If we do have the opportunity to return their sacrifices and honour their effort of providing us, let’s do all the best we can. There can never be an equal match to our parents’ provision and as all of our circumstances are different, we provide to the best of our ability.

At the end of the day, our parents only want us to lead a happy life; likewise we want our parents to age gracefully with a fulfilled life.

Someday, we will all grow old.

“Care while we still can;

Love while there is time.”