I like this video clip by Yasmin Ahmad. It made me think. For those not conversant in the local dialect it is a video about elderly women sadly neglected by their children. These same women are boasting about the achievements and success of their children. In the end, this humble woman who leaves in her son’s car has their envy when her son arrives and shows that he is always by her side.
I read in the papers the other day about how elderly folks are being abandoned in hospitals and it makes me sad. Anyway it was the topic of conversation the other day in my working place. Apparently the article had not gone unnoticed and colleagues particularly the unmarried ones were very concerned about the trend.
One even went so far as to compare elderly folks with modern furniture. Bright and shiny when new but discarded at will when no longer serviceable. ( most modern furniture were not built to be durable ) Another added a story about an elderly woman who found a place in her son’s home because she was useful and could help look after the children while her husband was forced to look for alternative accommodation elsewhere. In the end, he had to stay with a less than willing single daughter who fought the move all the way.
What awaits us when our turn arrives? A blogger friend Manglish i think it was who commented that I would have Benghui to take care of me. Honestly I don’t think he will do a good job. Adino has faith that RM6 000 000 will set him up for life after retirement.
I doubt I will ever save until RM6 000 000 but the day I grow old will eventually come. So, what then? Will our children, nephews, nieces etc have time for us? But I still hold fast to the theory that to command some kind of respect from the younger generation, we need to have saved some money and possess some form of property. Be like the ants, work hard while we still can and store up ‘grains’ for the future.
Have you thought about this matter? Off hand I can think of so many people I know who are leading highly busy and successful lives. They are good looking and possess all the right success symbols in life. I was just thinking that time avoids nobody and ultimately everybody grows old. Our usefulness tapers off as our memory slowly fades and our hands tremble and we hunch a little when our calcium reserves slowly run out. What wlll our life be like then? I shudder and dread to think of myself in that situation.
To end this story, I quote this lady whom I know. Still moderately attractive and possesses a well maintained figure.
Jane : When I was young, I could wear anything I wanted and look attractive. I know men loved me in low cut dresses and mini skirts. Now, if I were to strip stark naked, the only thoughts I would rouse in men would be, “Crazy women. She is nuts. ”
Even the ugliest teenager is more beautiful than a woman in her late forties. The elasticity of her skin, her thick luxuriant hair, her youth, vigor and energy. The trick nowadays is to hide rather than reveal. We can’t stop the ravages of time however hard we try.
When you have your last tooth standing and Mrs Bengbeng sits across you and laughs, you will laugh at her too because she has none
those will b the days
I wonder what had happened to my comments here!
I don’t know. Sorry
Manglish~ there is such a thing as dentures, my dear friend!
I seriously believe we reap what we sow. Our children’s behavior will depend largely on how we nurture and teach them about life’s responsibilities.
Ant
Manglish is too young to think of dentures still
I have an aged father with dementia. We have to rotate him among our houses. Its very sad. The thought of having to rely on others to look after you and being a burden to the children you love so much is too scary.
i can relate to what u r saying. it is sad
A serious topic! But avoid the issue since I am very close to that “age”.
What I have done is to save, to save for my better life in future.
We need to show examples to our next generation on how we treat our parents.
sometimes no matter what we do, things dont turn ot the way we want it to
I saw this video clip too at TV. Touching~
Yeah, when we are old, what we want actually is the love from our family…
I hope u will have a happy old age
Many families are blessed by single daughters who look after their aged parents. Some have amahs; some have poor relatives coming to “hock sai” /serve them. Some buy houses with friends as neighbours and grow old together knowing how poorly run our old folks’ homes are. The list is long and it is really up to us to plan what we should do when we are old.
If we have been good to our children and relatives and have been God fearing all the days of our lives our later life should be alright – God will bless us.
But of course – don’t forget to save too.
There are lots of undercurrents in every home seemingly unnoticed by society at large
All of us will grow old one day. It’s good to remember to honour your parents because one day you will want your children to honour you when you’re old too.
Not a thing to get excited about. What will the future b like. Dread to think about it.
I had dropped a few comments earlier on…but all disappeared. Well…as for me…I will work till I’m dead to take care of my wife!
Sorry about the comments. I dont know how it happened. Yr wife is one lucky woman
So who is having a better life … I think the lady who is quiet and never have comment … his sons action has shown she’s having better life
She has a wonderful son. That is al that is important
Now that is one touching advertisement. Petronas have way with this.
Everyone will grow old, and to have family love is one of the greatest thing. So regardless how far or how busy are we, we should still call or visit once in a while. this advertisement tells it all. Money can buy the warmth in a family. So what is GBP20k? RM450k? It sure can buy alot eh? Just not the love and warmth.
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How our children will be next time we are old, is how we nurture them when we are young.
May we all be blessed with such love and warmth
. BengBeng, Beng Hui is a good boy, he loves you alot, I am sure he will be by you.
Only time will tell how Benghui will b like as an adult
More than the money, what matters most at that age, how much younger lot want the old people around them. Do these people really care for you when you are old.
young ppl often are always in a hurry
i don’t like abandoning the old people… it’s even hard for me to leave my family migrating here =(
they must miss you so much
I live one day at a time… I do make some plans but do not to be too worry about it, coz I may not even get to live that long?!
i know we all will come with this, i do make some plans and prepare myself for the old age and won’t be dependent on others and be able to afford my own care, however, we do not know what will be the situation, we can not rely so much on what we have now, so, i just prepare for it, hoping that it would be enough when i get there, but i do not worry so much about it, since like horsoon, i may not also get there. with preparation therefore, i don’t forget to embrace the happiness of life one day at a time.
Dont b so pessimistic. U will probably live up to a hundred
As I grow older, I begin to think long and hard about my old age. I have only one son and do not want to be a burden to him.
I also have only Benghui and I definitely dont want to burden anybody too
mom still cries once in a while when she misses me… I’m too far from them and i’m the first to be this far for a long time