A Letter from Mom and Dad to their children

“In my old age, please understand and be patient with me if, because of my poor eyesight, I break a plate or spill soup on the table. Please don’t scold me. Old people feel hurt easily. I pity myself every time you shout at me. “When I’m hard of hearing and don’t understand what you’re saying, don’t call me ‘Deaf!’ Just repeat what you are saying or write it down. I’m sorry, son (or daughter), I’m really old. “When my knees are weak, take the trouble to help me stand up, just like I did when you were just learning how to stand up and walk. “Be patient with me if I am repetitive like a broken record. Just listen to me and don’t laugh at me or get tired listening to me. Do you remember when you were young? When you wanted a balloon, you would ask for it again and again the whole day until you got what you wanted. I was patient with your demands. “Be also patient with my smell. Old people smell like the soil. Don’t force me to take a bath. My body is weak. I get sick easily when I get cold. Don’t recoil from me. Do you remember when you were young? I took pains to chase you under the bed when you didn’t want to take a bath. “Be patient with me if I am often irritable. That’s probably because of my old age. When you grow old yourself, you will understand me. “When you have time, let’s talk, if only for a short time. I feel lonely at home, nobody to talk to the whole day. I know you are busy with your work, but I want you to know that I long for your company, to talk to you, even if I know you are not interested in what I will tell you. Do you remember when you were a child? I patiently listened to understand your stories about your toys and imaginary friends. “And when the time comes that I am bedridden, don’t tire of taking care of me. Forgive me if I soil my bed and bedclothes. Please take care of me in the last moments of my life. After all, I won’t stay much longer. “On my deathbed, please hold my hand and give me strength to face death. “And don’t worry, when I am face to face with the Creator, I will whisper to him to bless you and help you. Because you loved your father and mother.”

Sulat ni Tatay at Nanay

In time for Grandparents Day, I would like to share with you something that I have heard over the radio DZAS 3 years ago... at talagang naiyak ako sa mensahe...

Sa aking pagtanda, unawain mo sana ako at pagpasensiyahan.

Kapag dala ng kalabuan ng mata ay nakabasag ako ng pinggano nakatapon ng sabaw sa hapag kainan,huwag mo sana akong kagagalitan.Maramdamin ang isang matanda. Nagse-self-pity ako sa tuwing sinisigawan mo ako.Kapag mahina na ang tenga ko at hindi ko maintindihanang sinasabi mo, huwag mo naman sana akong sabihanng "binge!" paki-ulit nalang ang sinabi mo o pakisulat nalang.Pasensya ka na, anak.

Matanda na talaga ako.Kapag mahina na ang tuhod ko, pagtiyagaan mo sana akong tulungang tumayo, katulad ng pag-aalalay ko sa iyo noong nag-aaral ka pa lamang lumakad.Pagpasensyahan mo sana ako kung ako man ay nagiging makulit at paulit-ulit na parang sirang plaka.Basta pakinggan mo nalang ako. Huwag mo sana akong pagtatawanan opagsasawaang pakinggan.

Natatandaan mo anak noong bata ka pa? Kapag gusto mo ng lobo, paulit-ulit mo 'yong sasabihin, maghapon kang mangungulit hangga'thindi mo nakukuha ang gusto mo.Pinagtyagaan ko ang kakulitan mo. Pagpasensyahan mo na rin sana ang aking amoy. Amoy matanda, amoy lupa.Huwag mo sana akong piliting maligo.Mahina na ang katawan ko.Madaling magkasakit kapag nalamigan,huwag mo sana akong pandirihan.

Natatandaan mo noong bata ka pa? Pinatyagaan kitang habulin sa ilalim ng kama kapag ayaw mong maligo.Pagpasensyahan mo sana kung madalas,ako'y masungit, dala na marahil ito ng katandaan.

Pagtanda mo, maiintindihan mo rin.Kapag may konti kang panahon,magkwentuhan naman tayo, kahit sandali lang. Inip na ako sa bahay, maghapong nag-iisa. Walang kausap. Alam kong busy ka sa trabaho,subalit nais kong malaman mo na sabik na sabik na akong makakwentuhan ka,kahit alam kong hindi ka interesado sa mga kwento ko.

Natatandaan mo anak, noong bata ka pa? Pinagtyagaan kong pakinggan at intindihinang pautal-utal mong kwento tungkol sa iyong teddy bear.At kapag dumating ang sandali na ako'y magkakasakit at maratay sa banig ng karamdaman,huwag mo sana akong pagsawaang alagaan.Pagpasensyahan mo na sana kung akoman ay maihi o madumi sa higaan,pagtyagaan mo sana akong alagaan sa mga huling sandali ng aking buhay.

Tutal hindi na naman ako magtatagal.Kapag dumating ang sandali ng aking pagpanaw,hawakan mo sana ang aking kamayat bigyan mo ako ng lakas ng loobna harapin ang kamatayan.

At huwag kang mag-alala,kapag kaharap ko na ang Diyos na lumikha,ibubulong ko sa kanya na pagpalain ka sana ... dahil naging mapagmahal ka sa iyong ama't ina...

Written by Rev. Fr. Ariel F. RoblesCWL Spiritual DirectorSt. Augustine ParishBaliuag, Bulacan