Today, I visited one of my friends house; his grandpa, a man in his late eighties, sat alone in the veranda told me that my friend along with his family went on a tour and will be back in a week.
When I was about to leave, the old man said, “Boy, would you mind spending a few minutes talking to me?” I saw very lonely expressions in his eyes, his wife died few years ago and maybe he is still not able to come to terms. Without a word I went and sat down in the chair beside him.
“Among all my grandson’s friends, you are the only one who gives respect to me, do you really respect me or is it just for formality sake?”
I was surprised why he got such a strange doubt. I took his hands into mine and said, “Grandpa, I really respect you straight from my heart”. He fired another question, “Will you attend my funeral the day I die?”
Now I was totally shocked, “Why do you ask such questions, is everything ok?” He just repeated the same question, I said, “You are a very good and a kind man whom I respect a lot, and so I’ll definitely attend”.
Another question followed, “On that day, will you care to donate one drop of your tear for the sake of my soul?”. I said, “Yes I will, but here, look into my eyes and just tell me the reason, what is wrong with you?”. He never looked into my eyes but started crying so loudly that he was unable to breathe.
After a minute, he spoke slowly, “I’m all alone son, if you really mean what you said just now, you will be the only person who cries the day I die because I’m seriously unwanted by everyone around me”. He continued crying…
Those words created echoes in my heart and gave ripples to my soul…
10 comments:
Sai i am glad you highlighted this subject.....i too see people using their parents as commodities and once not needed leave them alone in a house full of people...i see old grandparents week,frail coming to pick up their grandkids from school while the parents choose not to leave their A.C. rooms....so many other examples....i feel my kids are very lucky to have our ma's guidance and company,though she wont mind few minutes of peace if they are willing to give her that.
@Kavita :
I know that my friend would soon read this post after his tour and I predict that he will shout at me for writing about his grandpa's personal problems in public forums.
But along with the old man, this was even my experience as well - as I was the person whom he interacted with.
What is the use of living a luxurious life all through but suffer the hell of loneliness in old age?
Life does deserve a proper ending, doesn't it?
i agree with kavita... and from what i have seen, kids these days (i'm not very old... but the teens of today seems to be generations apart from us) dont have respect for anyone... and loneliness is one of the worst thing that one ever has to go through. tell the old man that i will pray for him... and not just the day he dies.
u r such a good guy sai..i feel honoured to have come across such a person like u.god bless u..this is indeed a touching post..but i dont understand..nobody wants to avoid elderly people..but the modern day needs r so tight and hectic..the rat race sucks boss..
Its really touching sai.My kids love my mom now and i dont know when they become teenagers they will ignore her? I just can't imagine that day when my mom cries that she is alone,i wish me and my kids spend more time with her.
@Lala Bhai:
Yes Bhai, I'm planning to meet the old man on the coming weekend. I will tell out your name to him while conveying your message of prayer to him.
I want to talk with my friend soon to inform him about this problem his grandpa is facing.
I know that my friend loves his grandpa and after I tell him, he would definitely inform his parents and sort it out soon so that the poor old soul should not suffer anymore and spend all the last years of his life fruitfully.
Cheers,
Charan.
@Ramesh :
Well Ramesh Bhai, thanks a lot, I feel very lucky to get your kind blessings, I will always try to live up to the tribute.
On weekdays people are always busy, so it would be better if one can plan to personally spend atleast 1 hour with the elderly people every weekend :)
@Varunavi:
Varunavi Garu, there is no need for you to worry. Every child is different; your children might grow up to respect and love their granny even more than what they do today.
Old age life of every person is different; your mother may enjoy, smile and laugh even more in her old age than what she does today.
To all my Dear Readers :
Due to space constraints in the post "Lonely Old Man...", I had to restrict the conversation with the old man; so that the post doesn’t become too lengthy.
But after he stopped crying, I spent almost one hour with the old man. We had a long conversation - he spoke of his life and even has a lot of complaints on his sons and daughters.
Please find the remaining part of our conversation in the next post titled - “Lonely Old Man... (Part 2)
Thank You,
Charan.
Somehow I missed to read this post, Sai.
Lots of old people are facing this problem of lonliness, esp. men who have lost their wives. Women try to blend with the youngsters, mostly, doing some household work or something. But men, esp. our Indian men are not used to doing any household work. So they get bored and sit somewhere and start worrying. Both youngsters and old people should make some effort to respect each other and thereby reducing the tension at home. Let me read the next part and continue my comment.
Actually, this topic is a very important topic, Sai. Good.
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