Take care of our parents

A simple man tells how his booking an air ticket for his parents, their first flight, brought emotions and made him realize how much we all take everything for granted when it comes to our parents.

My parents left for our native place on March of 2007 and I accompanied them to the airport not just to see them off but to really go with them to their destination it being their first airplane trip, I had to make sure everything will be all fine for them. In spite of being asked to book tickets by ferry, I got them tickets on Cebu Pacific.

The moment I handed over the tickets to him, they were surprised to see that I had booked them by air. The Excitement was very apparent on their faces, waiting for the time of travel. just like school children, they were preparing themselves on that day and we all went to the airport, right from using the trolley for their luggage, the baggage check-in and asking for window seat and waiting restlessly for the security check-in to happen.

They were thoroughly enjoying themselves and I, too, was overcome with joy watching them experience all these things.

As we were about to go in the security check-in, my father walked up to me with tears welling 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 and my mother actually, it was more of a birthday gift to her on the 23rd of March. 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 have our parents made come true? without understanding the financial situation, we ask for basketball, dresses, toys, outings, etc. Irrespective of their affordability, they have satisfied to all our needs. Did we ever think about the sacrifices they had to make to accomodate many of our wishes? Did we ever say thanks for all that they have done for us?

Same way, today when it comes to our children or future children (for those who are still single), we always think that we should put them in a good school. Regardless of the amount of tuition, we will ensure that we will have to give the child the best, themw 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 your child asks you something, haven't you been very polite in answering? Now, you must have realized how our parents 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 parents saying thank you to me, I would want to say sorry for making them wait so long for this small dream. I do realize how much they have 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 your parents.