If someone were to ask me: What do you fear the most? The answer would be: Losing my parents.
Last weekend was spent in Ahmedabad. I had wanted to go to Ahmedabad, my hometown, for sometime now, as my father was not keeping well and was hospitalized sometime back. He was hospitalized due to a sudden surge in sugar levels, which necessitated administering insulin. Being a chain smoker, he had also contracted bronchitis. After being monitored in the hospital for 3 days, he was discharged. The bronchitis infection had subsided, however, the sugar levels were still higher than normal. The day we reached Ahmedabad, another blood sugar test was done and as they say: All wazzz well! It is at times like these, that my biggest fears resurface, especially now that they are getting older and live alone. Thankfully, this time, all's well that ends well.
In spite of spending the last 18 years away from my parents, I have always been very close my parents. My relationship with my mother, especially, was always special. My father was always, and still is, a very busy man. He is a trade unionist and the well being of the smallest common denominator has always been the closest to his heart, sometimes even at the cost of not spending enough time with the family. However, he made sure that he provided for the family adequately. There was never a need that was not fulfilled. In my childhood, though we lived in the same house, sometimes I did not see my father for months together because of the odd hours. Naturally, my mother was closest to me and my brother, as she was the 'go-to' person for everything for us. She herself is a very strong woman and can be credited with single-handedly managing the entire house and the kids very very well. The most difficult times being, when Emergency was declared in the country and most of the socialists, including my father, were imprisoned by the incumbent government. Their families were harassed by the government by denying access to basic utilities like water and electricity. My mother dealt with all of these valiantly for the sake of the love of her husband and children! She is a winner!
Hence, my parents, in spite of having gone through unimaginable struggles in their lives, never ever left anything to chance as far as the upbringing of their children was concerned. They have provided adequately for all our needs and wants. Apart from all the material things, the most important thing that they gave us was the right values and morals. Being a parent myself, I realise that it is very important to have the right set of values embedded in the upbringing of children. That is the best gift you can ever give them because values and morals stay with you life long and help you make the right decisions throughout your life.
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My Parents |
Hence the title of this post. As I write this on Ganesh Chaturthi day, an interesting anecdote comes to my mind. Once upon a time, the two brothers, Ganesha and Karthikeya, were fighting for a fruit. Shiva and Parvati decided that a competition should resolve the issue and asked them both to go around the world on their respective 'vahanas'(vehicles). Whoever, comes back first after circumnavigating the world would get the fruit. Karthikeya's vehicle was a peacock and hence he hopped on to it and was on his way immediately. Ganesha, as his vehicle was a mouse, had no chance of winning this one. He used his brains and had a brilliant idea. He went around his parents in circles and told them that they were his world! Job done. Parents were happy. The fruit was his!
I think he was right. Consider your parents to be your GODS. You exist because of them. You are what you are because of them. I hope everyone feels the same way. Take care of your parents because you owe it to them.
Take care.
