Life in the age of old

My parents are getting old,I was on the phone yesterday with my mom and she was saying that the other day she was busy with her painting and the door bell rang.She went and received the neighbor and made her sit in the living room while she went to fetch some coffee.She then came back to her room and somehow coffee and the neighbor both slipped out of her mind and she went back to do her painting.The exasperated neighbor then waited for sometime and when no one came back got up and came down to see what happened only to see mom obliviously engrossed in her painting.Then my mom remembered that she had left that neighbor in the living room and apologized for conveniently forgetting her.I asked my mom whether she did that on purpose as forgetfullness can be a pretty convenient excuse to get rid of pest of a neighbor.She denied it and laughed at my absurd plan.So I asked them whether I can start calling her and dad as "old goats" she told me I was welcome to call my dad that but if I did dare to call her that she would be more than happy to divulge all my secrets and the troublemaker I truly was to my daughter(fair enough,that will shut my mouth for sure)My dad on the other hand is a man with a great sense of humor.The day he legally became a senior citizen he was listing out how now being a senior citizen has advantages:free checking, 10 percent off at most restaurants,discounts on airways and transit, and not remembering what you had for dinner last night which enables you to have desert two days in a row without feeling guilty.He went and got some freaky fridge magnets which screamed out slogans like "Old=young person wondering what happened" "old is not for sissies" "At last I'm 50" and this one's a laugh riot and butt of all jokes in our house "I'm still hot".I adore both of them.I remember when my little girl was born the first thing my dad said was "Now I get my chance to brag to everyone how their grandchildren are never going to be as bright as mine".My parents,they perhaps cannot be called as the perfect parents but they came close.And they do deserve credit for having raised me as a fine person right?(Lol,talk about self delusions eh?I have my "I'm so vain" moments)But somehow inspite of all the laughts and fun my mind did feel a bit apprehensive.I guess it was the first time it did strike me that yes my folks are getting old.Maybe it was the effect of what had transpired just few days ago when I spoke to one of my friend.She called me to tell me that her father was no more and then as she spoke she brokedown and cried.She then said the words that perhaps hit hard "I never realized how much I miss him,I always took him for granted and never let them know how much he meant to me and how much I appreciated him and loved him more often than I should have,we never realize what a presence they have in our lives and the stability they give by being there until we have lost them" I felt how many times have we taken time out to really reach out to our parents and let them know how much we love them?And perhaps a time might come soon when we are called upon to be there for them just as they have been there for us.

For many people old age can be happy ones,with social security,financial stability,good health coverage and social activity and for not so fortunate ones it might not be that happy.I have seen so many old people being disposed off to old age homes because their children considered them as a burden,or treat them with disregard and abuse.Back when I was doing my clinical rotations as a student I had come across many such patients who were left for good and neglected by their own children.There was pain,sorrow,hopelessness and despair in those eyes and many a times the stories tugged at my heart.Some of them were taken in by their children during the times when they needed a caretaker for their kids and they stayed away from their spouse,sacrificed their independence in order to take care of their grandchildren,and once the grandchildren grew up and they were no longer needed they got disposed off to old age homes or sometimes on the streets or into lonely corners of the house like some unwanted pieces of garbage.I'm not bashing old age home system.They are good,they do provide people with independent and dignified living and many a people have been happy there but not all stories are perhaps the happy ones.It's only those not so happy ones where they long for even single visit or occasional happy times to spend with their kids and grandkids or someone whom they can call family.Why is that children sometimes forget about the sacrifices and love showered on them and neglect the same people who have given them the life they are living?It's not about money,its not even about nursing and care,it perhaps might be just a hug and a kiss,just few hours spent and words spoken and shared with love,is it hard to find even that little for those souls which endure a whole lot for us?
My parents always wanted to be independent but I know whenever they need me I will be right there for them in all ways I can.Somehow yesterday at the end of the conversation my eyes welled up and all I could manage was "I love you mom and dad"
Take time out to care for people who matter.Take time out to slow down and cherish what we have before its gone.

This is perhaps one of the most beautiful videos ever to be made.It made me go all misty.