Once upon a time, there was a son who made the difficult decision to leave his mother at an old age home after his father passed away. Even though he visited her from time to time, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt deep within his heart.
One day, the son received a call from the old age home. His mother was very ill and they urged him to come and visit her as soon as possible. Worried, the son rushed to her side and found her lying on her dying bed, weak and frail.
As he sat next to her, the son asked his mother, “Mom, what can I do for you? How can I make you more comfortable in your final hours?”
With a weak smile, his mother replied, “Please install fans in the old age home, my dear. There are none, and it gets terribly hot during the summer. Also, it would be wonderful if they could put a fridge to improve the quality of the food here. Many times, I have gone to bed without a proper meal.”
Her words caught the son by surprise. He couldn’t help but ask, “Mom, why are you telling me all this now? During your time here, you never once complained. And now, with only a few hours left, you are expressing your concerns. Why?”
His mother’s voice grew softer as she explained, “My dear, it’s alright. I managed with the heat, the hunger, and the pain. But what worries me is when your own children send you here, will you be able to manage? Will you face the same struggles I did?”
Her words struck a chord deep within the son’s heart. He realized the sacrifices his mother had made and the strength she had shown throughout her time at the old age home. She warned him passionately, urging him to take care of what he would leave behind. She believed that by improving the old age home, she could protect future generations from experiencing the same hardships she endured.
In her final words, she said, “Remember, my dear, what you give is what you get.”
This touching story reminds us of the importance of respecting and caring for our parents. Let us strive to honor them and ensure their well-being, knowing that one day, our own children may face the same choices we do.
