Turn

Sundar was sitting in park. Even though it appeared as if he was watching kids playing at park, Sundar was having deep thoughts going on in his mind. He was feeling confused and agitated with things going on at his home with his parents. He was thinking how to keep them happy and contended. Sundar heard a voice from behind “hey, want to have some coffee.” When he looked at where voice coming from, it was his friend Suresh.

After initial greeting, Suresh sat next to Sundar. Suresh asked “you seem bit upset these days, I observed yesterday also you were submerged in your own thoughts while our boss presenting on production improvement plan.” Sundar sighed with deep feeling and said “what to tell you man, I am feeling like hell at home.” Sundar continued “my parents are elderly and they have become so stubborn that they do not even care their own wellness.” Suresh asked “why what is going on, we all thought like you are unmarried and living with parents so there will be less worry.” Sundar started to explain his situation, summary of which is his parents are not taking care of their health and so stubborn that they do not listen to him. They in fact get bored and feel irritated with Sundar’s advice on healthy lifestyle. Sundar added they were not like this before; nowadays they are behaving like children rather than adults.

Sundar said “these days missed follow-up with doctors, medicine non-compliance and careless behaviour increased.

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” He said “in fact, they get irritated for small things and cannot manage minor responsibilities.” After listening to Sundar, Suresh smiled and said “do you remember our childhood days.” Those days, we were also stubborn and careless and our parents struggled a lot to shape us as responsible people. Suresh continued “I think now it is our turn to take care of our parents and cope with their stubbornness” There is nothing hard if we think we were also like this before and remember how our parents helped us at that time.

Sundar started to smile and said “I still remember how my parents convinced me to do homework and attend school on time and how patiently they offered me small gifts for me being compliant.” Suresh said “yes, that is life man.” It is our turn now to be patient with them and help them live their life happily. Suresh added “actually, you are lucky that you are unmarried and only have to take care of your parents, but in my case I am married with kids and need to take care of everyone.” Sundar said “yes, you need a lot of energy.” Suresh replied “yes friend, you can allocate your energy for yourself and your parents.” Be happy with what you got and cope with situation with smile and hope. Sundar said “now I am relieved, so come let us have some coffee and disperse.” Both walked with hope and clarity.

Sometimes in life, there may be role reversal and if it is inevitable then better to accept it rather than denying.