Parents

A conversation....this was narrated by an IAF pilot to IITstudents onSpecial seminar for HUMAN RELATIONMy parents left for our native place on Thursday and we went tothe airport to see them off. In fact, my father had never traveled byair before, so I just took this opportunity to make him experience thesame.In spite of being asked to book tickets by train, I got themtickets on Jet Airways.The moment I handed over the tickets to him, he was surprised tosee that I had booked them by air. The excitement was very apparent onhis face, waiting for the time of travel. Just like a school boy, hewaspreparing himself on that day and we all went to the airport, rightfromusing the trolley for his luggage, the baggage check-in and asking forwindow seat and waiting restlessly for the security check-in to happen.He was thoroughly enjoying himself and I, too, was overcome with joywatching him experience all these things.As they were about to go in for the security check-in, he walkedup to me with tears in his eyes and thanked me. He became veryemotionaland it was not as if I had done something great but the fact that thismeant a great deal to him.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 mylife.As a child how many dreams our parents have made come true. Withoutunderstanding the financial situation, we ask for cricket bats,dresses,toys, outings, etc. Irrespective of their affordability, they havecatered to all our needs. Did we ever think about the sacrifices theyhad to make to accommodate many of our wishes? Did we ever say thanksfor all that they have done for us?Same way, today when it comes to our children, we always thinkthat we should put them in a good school. Regardless of the amount ofdonation, we will ensure that we will have to give the child the best,theme parks, toys, etc. But we tend to forget that our parents havesacrificed a lot for our sake to see us happy, so it is ourresponsibility to ensure that their dreams are realized and what theyfailed to see when they were young, it is our responsibility to ensurethat they experience all those and their life is complete.Many times, when my parents had asked me some questions, I haveactually answered back without patience. When my daughter asks mesomething, I have been very polite in answering. Now I realize how theywould have felt at those moments. Let us realize that old age is asecond childhood and just as we take care of our children, the sameattention and same care need to be given to our parents and elders.Rather than my dad saying thank you to me, I would want to saysorry for making him wait so long for this small dream. I do realizehowmuch he has sacrificed for my sake and I will do my best to give thebest possible attention to all their wishes.Just because they are old does not mean that they will have togive up everything and keep sacrificing for their grandchildren also.They have wishes, too.Take good care of your parents