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| Piece of The Past |
I can hear the television blaring in the other room. My father can’t hear vary well and so in
response it gets turned up to theater blasting volume to compensate for his
difficulty in hearing. As long as I
don’t mind hearing the theme music to Magnificent 7 in every inch of the house
it really isn’t an issue. How many
people understand what it’s like to have someone who fits in this category
within their home? I imagine many do and
many know the work and care involved with taking care of someone who
unfortunately at this point is no longer the person they once were. Sometimes you have to correct them for doing
something they shouldn’t, like give the cat table food when the cat, who has a
potential medical issue really can’t have it.
It gets frustrating and stressful sometimes, reminding, explaining and
answering questions but am I above this responsibility for any reason. Am I for some reason worthy of not having to
take care of those who spent a large part of their adult life bringing me into
and carrying me through this life?
I realize how easy it is to categorize people in separate
groups, the young, the adult, the middle aged and the old. It’s as if we are separate races sometimes
and not all the same people. How often
do we look at someone who is older and dealing with a physical or mental
condition that is slowly stealing their independence to life and completely
forget the fact that is person once was us?
They once were the young vibrant youth, making mistakes and living on
the edge. Do any of us really realize
that those eyes and hands have seen and touched more time and places than their
mind may ever know? They were once the
youthful foolish folly that I still hold on to. I try to be the adult with spouse and family,
attempting to be the responsible parent. At times it seems like a nearly impossible
task that really should come with an instruction manual and perhaps a map to
guide the way.
Ever look in the face of a person whose hair is thin and
white and skin is creased with the years of their journey and wish you could
ask them their story. Ever just want to
know, what have they seem and heard? What have they learned on their road that
perhaps I can use as I still struggle to take my journey and still cutting my
path through this deep intense jungle of life.
Remember those who came before you.
Remember they are not strangers or aliens, they are just you. Their hair
may be a little whiter and steps a little smaller but at one point in their
lives they were the daredevil or the singer or the jokester or the hero. They walked the steps we now take and made
the mistakes we are now facing. It may
seem like a bother sometimes or a burden but never forget that it is not that
high a price to pay for a life that has concurred so much and seem so many
things. They become the teachers and we
are the students. Give them a hand or an
ear because they already gave so much and we can at least give our best to make
these years truly blessed. At this point
in their lives they deserve the mansion on the hill because they truly did work
for it.
Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the
land which the Lord your God is giving you. Exodus 20:12 (NKJV)
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