A Father's Story..Mother's too.

I was young and ignorant. My father had diabetes from the days I could remember. My mother used to make wheat uppuma for him specially. He had no time to take care of himself, having a big family to  care for. Always at  the farm or at the shop. As a doctor, I painfully realize that his diabetes was not cared for. On top of this, he also had Blood Pressure and heart disease. It was when I was at the eighth standard, that he  sustained an injury to his foot. He climbed the ladder with the workers who were doing some roofing works and  a nail pierced his foot. He took it light. Within few days the pain and swelling started, and he was admitted to the Governmental Hospital. He stayed there for almost two months. I thankfully remember a Dr. James at the Govt Hospital who kindly took care of him. At  the end of the ordeal, the foot healed, but he lost his heel. From  then on, he had to limp. He couldn’t wear a proper sandal, and had to bandage his foot to protect it most of the time.

I used to feel shy when I had to accompany him to the shop. He used to limp behind me and I always tried to keep the distance farther. I have cried many a times over what I had done at that time. When I grew up, I had thought over these childhood days. He didn’t give me much time to take care of him after I became a doctor. I wish I had another  chance to compensate.

I have learned my lessons. One can also learn from other’s mistakes. That is what intelligent people should do. Never to leave a chance to express the love and feelings to someone. And never  waste the opportunities, to take care of parents. These are one time chances. The Biblical solution for longevity is taking care of parents.

I happened to read a story during the Mothers day. It is over, still I thought I should share it with you.

Sometimes, we get frustrated and upset with elderly people. Even think they are nuisance. And forget to realize our days are not much farther. Some day we would need some help to cross the roads, and have to pause after short walks to stop panting, and would need our grandchildren to find the eye glasses when you grope for them.

This story brought tears to my eyes. I wish it does the same for you.

My mom only had one eye. I hated her… She was such an embarrassment. She cooked for students and teachers to support the family.

There was this one day during elementary school where my mom came to say hello to me. I was so embarrassed.
How could she do this to me? I ignored her, threw her a hateful look and ran out. The next day at school one of my classmates said, ‘EEEE, your mom only has one eye!’
I wanted to bury myself. I also wanted my mom to just disappear. I confronted her that day and said, ‘ If you’re only gonna make me a laughing stock, why don’t you just die?’
My mom did not respond… I didn’t even stop to think for a second about what I had said, because I was full of anger. I was oblivious to her feelings.
I wanted out of that house, and have nothing to do with her. So I studied real hard, got a chance to go abroad to study.
Then, I got married. I bought a house of my own. I had kids of my own. I was happy with my life, my kids and the comforts. Then one day, my Mother came to visit me. She hadn’t seen me in years and she didn’t even meet her grandchildren.
When she stood by the door, my children laughed at her, and I yelled at her for coming over uninvited. I screamed at her, ‘How dare you come to my house and scare my children!’ GET OUT OF HERE! NOW!!!’
And to this, my mother quietly answered, ‘Oh, I’m so sorry. I may have gotten the wrong address,’ and she disappeared out of sight.
One day, a letter regarding a school reunion came to my house. So I lied to my wife that I was going on a business trip. After the reunion, I went to the old shack just out of curiosity.

My neighbors said that she died. I did not shed a single tear. They handed me a letter that she had wanted me to have.

‘Mydearest son,

I think of you all the time. I’m sorry that I came to your house and scared your children.

I was so glad when I heard you were coming for the reunion. But I may not be able to even get out of bed to see you. I’m sorry that I was a constant embarrassment to you when you were growing up.

You see……..when you were very little, you got into an accident, and lost your eye. As a mother, I couldn’t stand watching you having to grow up with one eye. So I gave you mine.

I was so proud of my son who was seeing a whole new world for me, in my place, with that eye.

With all my love to you,

Your mother.’