ALL MEN MUST DIE

 This was narrated at a Seminar recently on Human Relations:

 Venkatesh Balasubramaniam describes how his
 gesture of booking an air ticket for his father, his maiden
 flight, brought forth a rush of emotions and made him (Venkatesh)
 realize that how much we all take for granted when it comes to
 our
 parents.

 My parents left for our native place on Thursday and we went to
 the airport to see them off. In fact, my father had never
 traveled by air before, so I just took this opportunity to make
 him experience the same. In spite of being asked to book tickets
 by train, I got them tickets on Jet Airways. The moment I handed
 over the tickets to him, he was surprised to see that I had
 booked them by air. The excitement was very apparent on his face,
 waiting for the time of travel. Just like a school boy, he was
 preparing himself on that day and we all went to the airport,
 right from using the trolley for his luggage, the baggage
 check-in and asking for a window seat and waiting restlessly for
 the security check-in to happen. He was thoroughly enjoying
 himself and I, too, was overcome with joy watching him experience
 all these things.

 As they were about to go in for the security check-in, he walked
 up to me with tears in his eyes and thanked me. He became very
 emotional and it was not as if I had done something great but the
 fact that this meant 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 my life. As a child, how
 many dreams our parents have made come true. Without
 understanding the financial situation, we ask for cricket bats,
 dresses, toys, outings, etc. Irrespective of their affordability,
 they have catered to all our needs. Did we ever think about the
 sacrifices they had to make to accommodate many of our wishes?
 Did we ever say thanks for all that they have done for us? Same
 way, today when it comes to our children, we always think that we
 should put them in a good school. Regardless of the amount of
 donation, we will ensure that we will have t give the child the
 best, theme parks, toys, etc. But we tend to forget that our
 parents have sacrificed a lot for our sake to see us happy, so it
 is our responsibility to ensure that their dreams are realized
 and what they failed to see when they were young. It is our
 responsibility to ensure that they experience all those and their
 life is complete.

 Many times, when my parents had asked me some questions, I have
 actually answered back without patience. When my daughter asks me
 something, I have been very polite in answering. Now I realize
 how  they would have felt at those moments. Let us realize that
 old age is a second childhood and just as we take care of our
 children, the same attention and same care needs to be given to
 our parents and elders.Quality time and politely answering them
 with out making them wait is important. Now I realize that I must
 look at their eyes and answer them pleasantly  and pretend to be
 reading papers and answer in mono syllables. Rather than my dad
 saying thank you to me, I would want to say sorry for making him
 wait so long for this small dream. I do realize how much he has
 sacrificed for my sake and I will do my best to give the best
 possible attention to all their wishes.

 Just because they are old does not mean that they will have to
 give up everything and keep sacrificing for their grandchildren
 also. They have wishes, too.

 Take care of your parents. THEY ARE PRECIOUS.