It was 6 a.m. and I had just got out of my bed, nani was already up and ready for the day. She usually gets up at around 5 and that too without an alarm bell.
When I ask her about it, pat comes the reply, "umr k sath hojata h khud".
And then throughout the day she is working, preparing special for the day meals or reading newspaper. All this while not a single moment of rest she has. And when she is free, she reads Bhagwat.
Nani is around 80 now and it has been more than 10years since Nana passed away.
(Leave Nani alone, she is different, will tell in the end)
But Nani isn't the only such person, she is just one of the many aged people.
I think of them, do they not feel alone? Do they not miss someone? Do they not want to get their youth and charm back ? Does the thought of approaching death not scare them? How do they find their moments of happiness ? Sitting and staring at the photos doesn't help and nor does the regular pravachans.
Having lead a life of such hustle bustle, does this peace not bite them? The tears they shed, who comes and consoles them then ? Wiping your own doesn't really provide the composure that is desired.
Now i'll tell you and you know it too; the answer to all the above is YES, a biting tearing YES.
Oldies are special, they are passing through the phase that we all will some day. Look at them and the way you are with them, do you expect the same to happen to you ?
See in them not them but someone who has loved you unconditionally with their all might. They may not be as fast as you are but then, they have seen more than you and what love and affection is, they know; because Nani says," ye baal aisei safed ni hue!"
And well, the day isn't really far when you will be stepping in their shoes, do you want to be as alone ?
(Nani meanwhile is busy preparing idli sambhar, tomato soup is for tomorrow.
Meanwhile Confused Genius is busy thinking how she will look when she is as old as Nani because Nani still looks beautiful !!)
