“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.”
Thursday, September 16, 2010
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.”
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment