Once upon a time, a son found himself faced with a difficult decision. After his father passed away, he made the tough choice to leave his mother at an old age home. Though he visited her sporadically, he couldn’t be there regularly for her.
One fateful day, the son received an urgent phone call from the old age home. The staff informed him that his mother was gravely ill and pleaded for him to come as soon as possible. Deeply concerned, he rushed to be by her side.
As he entered the old age home, he was met with the sight of his mother lying on her deathbed, her condition critical. Worried, he gently asked her, “Mom, how can I help you?”
Summoning her fading strength, his mother replied, “Please, my dear, install fans in this place. The heat is unbearable, and there are none. Also, a fridge would greatly improve the food situation. There have been times when I went to bed on an empty stomach.”
Her mother’s requests caught the son off guard. Puzzled, he asked, “Mom, you’ve never complained about this before. Why tell me now, when you have only a few hours left?”
With a weak smile, his mother responded, “Don’t worry about me. I managed to endure the heat, hunger, and pain. But what concerns me is when your own children bring you here, will you be able to handle it?”
Her words struck a chord in the son’s heart. She cautioned him about the importance of caring for those we leave behind. She emphasized the necessity of modernizing these old age homes, fearing that one day, his own children might abandon him there, subjecting him to the hardships she had endured.
In her final moments, filled with urgent gravity, she imparted her wisdom, “Remember, my dear, what you give is what you receive.”
This heartfelt tale serves as a poignant reminder for all of us to honor and cherish our parents. Let’s prioritize their well-being and ensure they are showered with love and support. May we make the most of the time we have with them, creating precious memories that will last a lifetime.
