Aging Parents Are Not A Burden, They Are A Treasure To Be Cherished
By Dr. Ritu Gupta
Our parents, elders or guardians are the ones who shape our world. It is their dedication and toil that contributes to our success and happiness. We always owe them, no matter what.
Children begin with loving their parents. As they grow older, they start judging them. Some start feeling embarrassed even to acknowledge them in the Society. Some get so busy that either they get disconnected or seldom get in touch, while others distance completely from them.
So strong is the dislike that, there are some who spend years, wishing their parents would get off their back, only to realize, they’re the only ones, who ever really had their back. As we grow older, we forget that our parents and elders are also getting older. All mortals age. It’s not their fault for getting old. Becoming elderly is just a natural ending process of life. Remember, it’s them today. It’ll be you tomorrow.
As they grow older, they tend to forget, live in the past, get irritated without cause, repeat themselves every now and then, find it hard to understand you and become emotional too. Dont get angry or yell at them. For the elderly, life is not easy. It is lonely, depressing, physically mentally emotionally painful and exhausting. The shifts of loosing control, the loss of independence, financial concerns, social isolation, fear of the unknown, wandering thoughts, slowing down, all that comes with aging is difficult for our elders to accept.
All they want is care, patience and respect. They do not want pity. They need involvement. To be made to feel, that they still are the decision makers, the pride of the family just like they were, when they were young. They believe, that no one could ever protect or guide us better than them. They know that they have traversed the path, we, young ones are yet to traverse. The wrinkles on their body are a sign of each experience they have faced in life. They have not given up on themselves, just have become tired and less flexible with age. All they need is motivation, patient listening and love.
We must realize, that our elders have lives of their own, separate from us. We must honour the space and not force them to comply to our ways only.
Make them feel valued and needed. Have patience with them. Understand them. Try to empathize and find out the reasons of their discomfort or resistance. Be a helping hand to them. Always be there for your parents and care for them.
If you are far from them, make sure to connect with them regularly. Keep them at the top in your priority list. Be responsible and always available for them. If not, make an alternate arrangement for their comforts. Monitor and make sure, of their wellbeing. Caring about our parents or elders is a heroic act by itself. Caring for aging parents or elders is challenging. Your best efforts can at times leave you feeling overwhelmed. See aging, not as a lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength. The opportunity to explore and be aware of the knowledge, our elders have gathered. Strength, of wisdom and blessings they shower on us.
Sometimes the negligence and dejection they get, not only makes the last years of life difficult but also painful for them. It’s scary, but a fact, that our parents are getting older and while serving us their entire lives, we yet don’t realize that, hardly do we notice or know what makes them happy or what they ever wanted. One must remember, ignoring parents is disregarding the greatest blessings of life. They didn’t leave you, when you were young, so one should not forget them, now they are old.
Never forget the hands, that helped you grow. Yesterday, they watered you. Today you become their shade. Make them proud of the values they have instilled in you by their selfless upbringing, taking pride that they have raised a good human being- an asset to the World.
We generally do not value good things, unless they become a memory.
We need to wake up, before it’s too late.
RETURN TO TENDER :
“TO CARE FOR THOSE WHO ONCE CARED FOR US, IS ONE OF THE HIGHEST HONORS.”
Author of Solo Books –
“A Place In The Sun”, “The Primrose Aisle”, “Hushed Anguish” and “Amour-Propre”.
Search on Google, “Dr. Ritu Gupta- The Blooming Talent of Kolkata”
BIO:
Dr. Ritu@Ritz, An Eduleader, A Teacher, A Counselor, A Life Coach, An Author and A Social Activist by choice, with a motto to serve the World. She has been honoured four times with the World Record Title. She has been featured four times on Google(@author ritu gupta and @Dr. Ritu Gupta- the Blooming Talent Of Kolkata, @The Four Most Inspiring Women Of The Year and on Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Celebration by Inkzoid Foundation). Has bagged National and Global Awards alongwith other recognitions in the field of Education, Literary, Art, Photography, Music and Social Work. Is the author of four SOLO BOOKS @”A PLACE IN THE SUN”, “HUSHED ANGUISH”, “THE PRIMROSE AISLE” and “AMOUR-PROPRE”. Has co-authored more than two hundred fifty anthologies. She has a passion for cooking, singing, photography, travelling and dancing. Believes In Spreading Smiles And Positivity Around!
Strong Believer Of Mahadev and KARMA!
Her Mantra is,
“You May See Me Struggle,
But You Will Never See Me QUIT!”
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