Life is about giving back.

 

Dear Friends

Good Night

"Amma, I am going to the Mall along with my wife and daughter."

 

"OK Son.  You go ahead.  Already my legs are paining.

I am not interested in coming to the Mall. You go ahead."

 

" Grandma, you should also come" insisted the grand daughter ...

 

" Grandma cannot climb all those steps in the Mall. 

She does not know how to use the escalator. 

As there are no temples there, *Grandma would not be interested.

She is interested only in going to temples"* said the daughter in law.

Though Grandma agreed with this statement, Grand daughter was adamant. 

She refused to go to the Mall if Grandma was not accompanying them

Though Grandma repeated that she was not interested, she had to

comply with her dear ten year old granddaughter's will. 

She agreed to accompany them.

 

The granddaughter was very happy.  Before her parents could get ready,

the oldest and the youngest were ready.  

The youngster took her grandma to the front room. 

She drew two parallel lines, a foot apart.  She told her grandmother that

it was a game and the old lady had to pretend that she was a Crane (Bird).

She had to keep one leg within the lines and raise the other leg by three inches.  

"What is this my dear?"  asked Grandma...

"This is the Crane game Grandma.  I will show you how to play."                             

Both of them played a few times and before the father could

bring out the Car....Grandma became adept in the game.

 

They reached the Mall and when they reached the escalator,

the father and mother were wondering how the elderly lady would manage that.   

The granddaughter took her grandma near the escalator and asked her

to play the Crane game.  Grandma raised her right foot and kept it one of the

moving steps and raised her left leg by three inches and could easily reach the next moving step.

This way she used the escalator easily to reach the higher level, much

to the amazement of her son and daughter-in-law. 

Then grandma and her grand daughter moved up and down several times

on the escalator and had fun.  

They then went to the theatre to see a movie. 

As it was cold inside, granddaughter took out a shawl from her bag and

covered the old lady, with a smile.  She came prepared for this! 

After the movie, they went to the restaurant. 

When the son asked his mother for the dish to be ordered,

his daughter took away the menu and thrust it in the hands of Grandma.     

 

"You know how to read; go through the menu and order whatever you want". 

Grandma decided about the dishes to be eaten. 

 

After the meal, Grandma and the grand daughter played some video games. 

Before leaving for home, Grandma went to the toilet. 

Using that occasion, the father asked his daughter how she knew so much

about his mother which as a son, he was not aware.

"Dad, when a young child is taken out of the home, how many 

preparations are made - milk bottles, diapers, wipes etc.!?.... 

Your  mother must have also done all these things for you. 

Why not  show the same consideration for your mother?

Why did you presume that she would be interested only in temples?  

They also have normal desires,  enjoying with family, go out, have fun! 

Since they may not openly express it, we have to compel them to

enjoy these things"

 

The father was speechless.  However he was happy that he had learnt

a lesson from his ten year old daughter...

 

*Reflection*

 

A lot goes into making you who you are. We *assume* a lot of things about

elderly parents which are not really true.

 

It is called *generation gap* 

But it is a matter of *perspective* and *empathy* .

 

Life is about giving back.

Do it graciously!👍🙏