The value of parents
It was 15 years back, Sunday morning. 5.30 a.m. Shrill ring of the telephone had pulled me out of my sound sleep. A doctor friend was calling from my hometown. His normally cheerful voice had sounded subdued. Next moment, the news had hit me like a sledgehammer. My father was no more!
A day earlier, I had left him fit and fine. He hadn’t given an iota of hint that he was going to depart forever. I couldn’t believe what my friend was saying. Nor could I ask again. My wife had taken hold of the receiver. The news was confirmed.
Like a machine, I had travelled to Patiala, lifted him up….and marched to the cremation ground. I didn’t know when I had lit the pyre. The face, I had touched and felt a million of times was turning into ashes. Holding my breath, I had stepped back, my heart silently crying and urging him to come back. ‘Talk to me just once and then, I’ll let you go!’ It begged. He hadn’t believed me. He didn’t come back.
Throughout his life, he had cared for my comfort. Even for his departure, he had chosen Sunday…to cause least discomfort to me!
Fifteen years have passed since his departure. Even today, his departure seems to be a matter of just yesterday when he lay still, free of pain…and worries with immense peace over his face. All through his life, he had struggled endlessly but with jest, jostled with the problems, faced the rigours of life. Now, there were none. But for me, that wonderful shelter had ceased to exist.
After his departure, I find that the life is no more the same. Howsoever I try, happiness doesn’t rise from deep within. Nor it touches the chords of my heart. It remains on the surface only. The desires, the fun and frolic have evaporated into thin air. The festivals and the functions, the ceremonies and the celebrations, all have gone colourless.
On his departure, I had thought that I would never be able to laugh again. I was wrong. I laugh sometimes but the laughter has changed its spirit. It is not the same—unrestrained, free and unbridled. It has lost its soul !
It is after the departure of our parents that we realize the real value of their existence. At that time, nothing can be done. Those lucky ones, whose parents are alive, should take lesson, care for them, keep them close, give time to them and bask in the glory and sunshine of their existence.
