The other day I got a call informing me that a distant relative had passed away. Soon all our family members were making calls, sharing the news about the sad demise. The funeral arrangements were done. People from far and near arrived at the house of the deceased. I too went to pay my respects to his widow and children. “Death” is something that none of us like to think about, that absolute truth which we all prefer to keep locked in the attic of our mind. Whenever people hear about a funeral they make it a point to be there. They send their condolences. Yet, how many of us regularly visit the sick or elderly relatives and friends? How often do we enquire about their health? How often do we offer assistance? Several times, when a person passes away we hear relatives expressing regret like: “Oh, I should have visited him during my last vacation, now it’s too late” or “My grand aunt wanted me to accompany her to the temple, I wish I had not been so busy”. I remember as a child, on Eid and other special occasions my parents would take us, children, to visit all our older relatives and family friends. We were excited to meet them and listen to stories about old times. We would also be scolded for being mischievous. I recall my mother’s embarrassment as I happily asked for more helpings of a sweet dish and the charming hostess filled up my plate again and again. Today I understand those visits became beautiful memories and forged strong relationships. In a fast-paced world it is increasingly difficult to make time for others. People tend to postpone visits. Long calls are replaced by terse messages. We forget that it is in visiting the elderly and interacting personally with others that children learn respect and empathy. Maintaining good relationships with the people around us makes us balanced mature individuals. Let us not wait for someone to fall sick or have an accident to visit them. Instead, let us ask them: “How are you?” even when they seem fine.
- The reader is based in Dubai
