Song for the Seniors

After visiting the ‘home for the aged’ for quite a few times, and interacting with the so-called senior citizens, I feel that one of the greatest and most ominous curses of not only this civilization, but also of the entire human race, it is the practice of the home for the aged. Luckily in many cases, these homes truly home away from home, and if it is being looked after by nuns, one should thank one’s stars for such a privilege. But does our civilization require homes for the aged? Are not every individual is condemned to become aged at some time or other? Why do we not keep our aged with us at home, and hurry up to keep them as far away from their children as possible? I feel sad when I listen to the stories of these aged men and women, they have too many tears to shed than words to utter.

Take for example, this senior citizen, who even past his seventy fifth year, is as agile and normal as a forty year old! Today he came on an official work regarding an exhibition; he is allergic to the hot sun, and so preferred the evening hours to engage in some work, but his memory is as fresh as ever, and no one can ever think that such men should be relegated to homes. He would not like to go, for sure, but on our side it would be a cruel thing to send them much against their wish, to the homes for the aged. I do understand some of these homes have become yet another form of commercial centers, where people could mint money on the gullible filthy rich children, who want to get rid of their parents because they would only be burdens to their private life.

I have come across several senior men and women who contribute more to their families than their children; it is true, the aged men and women are more susceptible of age-related diseases and illnesses, and may require constant medical care; but if they are well taken care of, one may not come across people who are as caring and loving as these are. Traditional rural families cannot think of giving up the elderly, because they are not only precious assets to the community and families, but they are also the one’s, who direct the destiny of the communities. Their wisdom and knowledge is something that even the most erudite of the community cannot equal to. After about sixty, one’s life cycle reverses, and the elderly become like children, and that is why they also behave like little children.

I was not fortunate to live with my grandparents; both my maternal and paternal grandfathers expired quite early in life, one when I was about seven, another when I was some twelve years old; my paternal grandmother died after she began to live alone after the property was divided between the sons, and since our family was not close to her, we had very little feelings for her. However, I had fond feelings of my maternal grandmother who lived up to about 90 years, and had tender feelings for her; even when she could hardly see, she would try to cook for me, and she was so proud of her grandson that she would talk about him to all the people of the neighborhood. I felt what it means to have the affection of grandparents.

If only we realize that grandparents are the treasure house of not only traditional wisdom and knowledge, but also of love and concern for the family, they would be better treated by the present day generation. We might have long abolished the system of homes for the aged, and on the city highways and in trains we may not be able to see the senior citizens begging for food. If this is what we are subjecting our aged parents to, then worse things are in store for us, and it is time that we remedy the situation and bring back the aged to our homes, so that their footprints may sanctify our households, their voices may sweeten the air, their sight may colorize our vision, their touch may make soil into gold cakes, and life will not be the same when they are around. They are our treasure, and it is time that we honor them for what they are!