Have you watched them sleep? Very Touching..!

I received a mail on my gmail account the other day. It was one of those forwarded mail, the type I would usually scan briefly before hitting "delete".
But this message, started with a simple question that caught my attention.

"Have you ever watched your parents as they are asleep? Your father's body once big and strong but now, the big is withered and the strong weakened. Wisps of grey peek out of his hair, wrinkles now "scar" on his forehead and face."

"This man works hard every day and would sacrifice anything to make sure his family is provided for and his children get the best education possible."

"Or what about your mother, whose soft hands once cuddled and held you close when you were a baby? Now, those hands are dry and rough, bearing evidence of the challenges she faced just for us."

"This woman takes care of our daily needs, constantly nagging and scolding us because of her love for us. But sadly, we often miscontrue her love as control and unfairness."

It is as if it was written and directed to me.I have many times watched my parents asleep.I realised that there is indeed much truth in it. In fact, my parents don't have to be asleep for me to realise that they have aged.

Just looking at my mother walk tells me that her legs are not as strong as they were before. Or hearing her to ask me to drop her to near by place, not that she cant walk but will get tired after 40 or 50 steps.
Or watching my dad lift a 10kg bag of wheat. I can easily carry that now. I am young. But to him, it is a struggle.

What do all these observations tell me? Yes, my parents have aged. They are ageing, as I am ageing. But as I age towards my best years and become stronger, they in turn are becoming weaker. They were once the caregiver and I the receiver. In time, I know our roles will reverse. Like it or not, want it or not, this is life.

I suppose I have always subconsciously thought that my parents would always be with me, never growing old. But this mail made me realize that my parents are not immortal. That they, too, will one day leave the world and me. Until then, I will make good use of our time together.

Love you Mom n Dad..!