Senior
citizens - it could be the most befitting term ever coined
to describe the elders. They are seniors by age and citizens
still by rights. We have all seen them grow old and prime.
These are people who spent their fortunes to let us earn
our own. They held very little for themselves - so little
that they would need to depend on us for the rest of their
lives.
The wisdom they gained through their experiences is invaluable.
They do pass it on to us through every possible opportunity
they see. After all, we don't live longer to learn all
through our own experiences. Each story they tell, every
incident they narrate would have something in it for us
to learn.
When it comes to love, they love us for what we are and
not for what we could be. They know all our shortcomings.
Yet they shower their affection and make us feel good.
If we remember, they are the ones who first taught us
to love our siblings and be kind to our neighbors. They
sowed the first seed of love which is now well deep rooted
in our hearts and gives us the confidence to make a lovable
family on our own.
Forgiving is a virtue. We can't have a count of the number
of times that we hurt their feelings - unintentionally
or otherwise. We may wonder now how easily we were excused.
Sometimes the way they forgive our most menacing mistakes
shuns us from ever doing the same again.
Peace, fulfillment, joy are some of what we can relate
to when we see them reclined on a bright sunny day, having
nothing to do. They have indeed come quite far - far enough
to rest. The morning walks, the teatime talks about the
good old days and the bedtime stories for the little citizens
in the family fill their seemingly long day.
Pass by without making noises. They are relishing their
memories.
Happy living!
