A See-Saw

Let’s start with a story,

A boy was born in India. The day he was born, a hardworking man became a father full of dreams, and a loving woman entered the beautiful part, motherhood..  They both gave up their life for him. Gave all their love, raised him with all they had. With the lapse of time, as he grew up to become an adult, he left his parents and settled in America. He never returned, until that one day - two months after his father’s demise. He neither came back to stay with his mom nor to take her back home, but to sell all his father’s properties. And to leave his mom in an old age home. That poor women never knew that she won't be able to see him again. At her death bed, she realized she raised a beautiful man - but not a gentle man.

That was disheartening to hear. Something more bitter is coming up.

It wasn't a story. It's the reality that happens for 32% of old-aged parent population in India.

Now to the other end. 

This is the sharper side of a knife. I read an article a month ago - a couple in Salem sold their 7-year-old girl child for 10 lakh rupees. I could sense that shock on your face. Yep, there are parents out there, on this same land you stand, who would sell their children. Do you think they do that for a luxurious life? Nah. For meeting their basic needs. For supporting their first child. They have made even motherhood and pregnancy a business.

In some cases, it is the kid, who comes forward to carry forth the burden of his family on his own little shoulder. Mark my words - this kid will give up everything, to make his kids study. Cause, he knows it's value.

It isn't fair - to make a child’s life hell, due to parent's poverty or sending parent's to old age homes for personal happiness. 

Now to my story.

I remember that day, when I lost money in the stock market. It was my first time in stock investments, yet a grave mistake. Still, my dad never kicked me out. Instead, he encouraged me to do it again. He enriched me with his ideas. Though I wasn't ready to do it again, I did - purely for my father - and that worked. The fact, I realized here is that when I lost money, my parents never discouraged me, and at the same time when I made a profit, they never spoke about the money that I lost.

That’s what parents do. Precisely, that's what parents must be doing. When their kids fail, they encourage them. When their kids are sick, they feel paralyzed. When their kids fall, they lift them. But when their kids grow up, they will have millions of reasons for not taking care of their parents. As like, a poor craftsman blames his tools.

When my mom asked, "Will you take care of me when I’m old..?", I had millions of things running in my head, on how I'd take care of her. But I simply answered YES. I want her to feel my thoughts.

Kids being sold and Parents being mocked for money - both happen in this world, of which you are a part. Why should this happen, when you get the most precious relationship for which others are longing for? The love and support we get from our family is all that we need during our rough times.

Written by S R Keshav

Follow Blogskypass for more updates.

(PS: You can also write here. All you need to do is, convert your writings into a PDF and mail us. Then message us in Instagram. 

Writing at a step away. Start right now..!!)