Support for parents in their old age

When children are young, parents are great companions on the path of their development, change and maturity. As time passes, when parents are old and weak, the greatest desire of parents with gray hair, poor eyesight, shaky hands and feet... is to have their children care for and look after them for the rest of their lives. That wish is simple, but to achieve it, children must go through a process of companionship, sympathy, sharing, understanding, love and patience.

Sincerely and with love

Ms. Thanh Van's father (Tan Son Hoa ward, Ho Chi Minh City) is Mr. Nam Thang, now nearly 90 years old. For the past 20 years, since her mother passed away, she has been the one who has been by his side taking care of him and worrying about him. Mr. Nam is quiet and quiet. After a mild stroke, he was weak on one side and became even more quiet. At first, Ms. Van recognized that taking care of her father was done according to her "duty as a son", fulfilling her responsibilities and obligations. There were times when her father was sad and upset, she could feel it, but she did not take it seriously, because she thought that the temperament of the elderly was sometimes different. Having to work and take care of her father day and night, Ms. Van was often exhausted. There were times when taking care of him, she was stressed, did not want to talk, just quietly did everything as a habit. Then, sometimes all day, Ms. Van and her father did not confide in each other even once...

Love for father in old age, weak health. Photo: LE AN

Ms. Van shared: “One night, when I suddenly woke up, I gently went to my father's room to keep an eye out, but the room was empty. I was confused, quickly heading to the living room to search. Before I got there, I heard my father whispering... I quietly approached, hiding close to the wall, so that my father could not see. I heard my father talking to my mother's portrait. He expressed his concern for me once he passed away... All the affection and love for me were expressed by my father in the quiet night, only the oil lamp on the family altar dimly illuminated the room. Just like that, I stood in the dark, silently listening to my father's conversation, tears flowing nonstop..." At this moment, she felt all the love that an old father always had for his daughter, that love was always full, whether he was healthy or sick, when he was young or old. He just didn't say it, he kept it to himself, and then carried a worried, insecure mood for a long time.

From the night of her father's heartfelt confession, Ms. Van understood and felt more deeply about her father's worries about the short time he expected to be with her. From that moment on, she devoted herself to caring for her father more, loving him not only with the love of a child but also with the love of the only relative by his side in his old age. She spent a lot of time confiding, talking, sharing with her father, trying to give him many smiles every day, cherishing more the time when her father was still healthy, clear-headed, able to eat, and sleep well.

Peaceful golden age...

Author Le Thi Thanh Lam has just released the book The Timekeeper, which focuses on how to “help parents enjoy their golden age peacefully.” In the book, the author tells the story of her journey of taking care of her father not only with love but also with her keen observation, patience, and ability to transform ordinary moments into messages about family love.

The sentiments written in The Timekeeper easily make readers feel that the familiar images and stories have been encountered somewhere in life. Those images can be seen right in each person's own home, so that they can ask themselves how they have taken care of their elderly parents, whether they have been close enough, loving, sympathetic and fully understanding their parents' thoughts and wishes... The book also emphasizes the loneliness of the elderly, facing their twilight years with the pain of losing control of their own bodies, their parents' true feelings and wishes. The filial piety and sincere care of children help parents overcome the challenges and obstacles of life in their golden years.

According to Dr. Dao Le Na: “ The Timekeeper has a very simple content but brings profound lessons, that the elderly are afraid of being forgotten, the presence of children is the most precious gift, the old stories told by parents are not only information but also the love they want to convey... from there, helping readers understand that taking care of parents is not only an obligation but also an opportunity for each person to slow down, return to the values ​​of loving roots...”.

The story of author Le Thi Thanh Lam, although personal, also reflects a common problem today. The work is a reminder for children with aging parents to understand, feel and from there care for their parents with love. Keep time with parents with full family affection through very normal moments, but not easy to find again when they have passed. For decades in life, parents have always been the support, trust, and great love of their children, then when they are old and weak, the companionship, care, love, and care of children for their parents become the most practical action to show gratitude, showing the most filial piety to their parents.

BAO LAM

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/diem-tua-cho-cha-me-luc-xe-chieu-post803550.html