"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 granddaughter...
"
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, Granddaughter 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, kept it one of the moving steps, raised her left leg by three inches, and could easily reach the next moving step.
This way, she easily used the escalator to reach the higher level, much to the amazement of her son and daughter-in-law.
Then grandma and her granddaughter 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 granddaughter 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!
 |
| Evelyn Mercylin |
Disclaimer
This post is of Evelyn Mercylin on Facebook.
I liked the thought and wanted to share it with others so that if some of them can understand and learn a lesson.
It's always been my wish to share some valuable thoughts with my friends and from my friends.
Feel free to share your thoughts here as well this post on your social media accounts.
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