September 10 was Grandparent’s Day. While many across the world celebrate the day, have we ever stopped to ponder on what the real plight of grandparents is, nowadays?
Are they made to feel as important as they are to this changing society ? Are they valued the same?
Have we really forgotten the true importance of those souls who were happy to see us smile and watch us spending good times? What is forgotten on the way to modernity? Most of all, it is the mere existence of our grandparents! Their being there at the time of stress or distress. Their guidance for issues big or small.
It is always amazing how they have an answer to every question, a solution to every problem and a helping hand to extend every time.
I want to ask parents, have you ever realised the value of your own parents when you struggle every morning to pack school bags for your children? How easy they made our lives.
Frankly, we were never thankful. Instead we came home finding faults with things. Sometimes I feel, for all that was given to you in plenty and was not valued is perhaps the reason you have to pay a price to live at a place where you have to buy trust, you have to buy help by paying for a day care. It is history repeating itself to teach you a lesson!
All my life I was taken care of, by my grandparents. I must say I feel pity for those who were deprived of it, or for those who did not look after their parents well. Soon we will have children who grow with no respect for elders, learning from you when you could not show respect to your elders. It will be a life where no one will be thankful for what you did as parents, and how much you cared. To your children you will just have performed your duty.
So get set and be ready to face the ordeal and if in between you get a few seconds, remind your children to wish their grandparents a happy Grandparents Day.
- The reader is a principal at a Dubai-based nursery
