(This will be a wordy post. But before you close the tab, scroll all the way down till you see a picture! It's a meaningful poem.)
It was a rainy saturday morning. I woke up at 11am and then dress up for work. By the time I left the house, it was only drizzling but I still decided to bring an umbrella since I still wanted to look glam enough to report for work.
Opened my umbrella and walked. After a few steps ( prolly about 10?), I saw this really petite old lady walking infront of me, not carrying any umbrella on either arms. Without hesitation, I asked her where she was heading to, and she replied 'Giant' . So I thought, since we are going to the same mall, I decided to share my umbrella and walked with her.
And of course, she thanked me. Our conversation started with things like me asking
'why didn't you bring umbrella?' And she replied 'she's too skinny. She's afraid that the umbrella will fly'
'what groceries are you going to buy?' , 'veg and fruits, just enough for me to eat.'
And then she asked me how old am I? What am I working as? When am I starting school?
The casual talk went on for maybe about 3-4 mins before she started talking about something more personal, and also before I realised how lonely she felt.
She told me she has a son. He's married, with 2 kids. He doesn't stay with her. She reasoned it with,
'Nowadays, young people doesn't like the old to stay with them, they want to have their own life.'
I continued listening.
Then she said, ' Whenever he visits me, I never ask any questions about his life and all. If he wants me to know, he will tell me. If he doesn't, I shouldn't be nosy about it and irritate him. The more I ask, the more he will dislike talking to me.'
After hearing this, I felt so sad. So so sad. Why is she having this kind of thinking?
Then I noticed that she was wearing sunglasses. Found out later on that she just went for this eye surgery (I don't know what its called but it's common for elderly cuz their vision will become blur and all) just a few days ago. The first thing I thought to myself was 'Where the hell is her son?! How can he leave her alone at her house after the surgery?!!!!!'
Cuz I remember when my grandma went for this surgery about 5 years ago, she needed quite a bit of care, since it concerned the eye.
Shortly after, we reached the mall. Before parting, I told her 'In future, bring an umbrella. If not it's easy to fall sick.'
Guess how she replied..... 'Sick then sick lor. So old already. Time will be up sooner or later.'
I immediately said 'CHOI!! (Touch wood)'
And then she explained. 'I know one. It's going to be my turn already. All my friends and relatives are going one by one. Sooner or later will be mine. That's why I cannot trouble my son now. When I die, he still needs to worry about me.'
She ended with 'Old people very troublesome hor?'
I thought I would only witness this kind of things in dramas. But now that I've heard this myself, I'm more determined to take care of my parents when they grow old. I can't deny how troublesome it would be when people grow old. But think back.
Didn't they took care of us when we can't even speak, walk, eat on our own? Cleaning after we poop, waking up in the middle of the night to make us stop crying?
Didn't they have patience teaching us ABC, 123, how to hold fork and spoon?
Worrying about our grades in school, whether or not we grow up into ladies and gentlemen.
I guess the best way to repay them is to be filial. Take care of them when they are old, weak. Don't treat them as a burden.
(thanks Chloe for translating this poem for me hahaha!)
When I'm old and I'm no longer who I'm used to be,
please understand me and treat me with more patience.
When I spill soup all over my clothes, and when I forgot how to tie my shoelace,
please remember how I used to teach you step by step.
And when I keep repeating the things that I've said countless times,
please be patient with me and don't hit me.
When you were younger, I had to repeat your bedtime stories thousands and millions time before you go to bed.
When I need you to help me shower, please do not scold me.
Please remember how I used to teach you how to shower when you were younger.
When I'm clueless about the newest technolody, please do not mock at me.
Remember how I used to answer each and every one of your question.
And when walking is a problem for me, please stretch out your strong arms to support me like how I used to teach you how to walk when you were younger.
When I forget the topic we were talking about, please give me some time to recall what we were talking about.
But actually it doesn't matter. What matters is that you are by my side listening to what I'm saying.
And when you see the ageing me, please do not feel sad.
Understand me, Support me, just like how I used to.
When I lead you to the road of life, now please accompany me to finish the last of the road. Give me your love and patience, I will respond with grateful smile, this smile is my infinite love for you.
