Have anyone of you visited an Old Age Home?
Why, Why at all do they exist?
Why do some people leave their parents in old age homes or ' Vrud Ashram" as they are popularly called in India.
Has anyone thought how difficult it is for the parents to move away from their families?
But yes, they take such harsh decisions because they are unable to bear the insult and humilation by their own children. Thus, the Old Age Home becomes their last resort.
One day I happened to visit an old age home in Mumbai for the purpose of charity with my friends. We had arranged Biscuits, Medicines, Clothes and some Blankets to distribute in the Ashram.
We reached 'APNA GHAR', with prior permission at 11 am sharp.
It was a two storey building with a beautiful lobby, a beautiful garden, a large dining area, a huge entertainment room/hall where they gathered to celebrate festivals, events, etc, a medical room and last, but not the least a wonderful prayer hall, which was a proof of secular India.We were just astonished to see the huge room with all the deities of all religions pouring showers of love and blessings upon their children.
I was shocked to see all of them welcoming us, greeting us with a beautiful smile. Many old men and women looked happy when we spoke to them and distributed them the blankets. But alas ! around 20 women started crying telling us their stories. Some said their daughter in law threw them out of the houses, Some said their sons were too bad and even hit them at times, so they themselves decided to walk off. Some complained about how the were ill-treated by their grand children and thrown out. On the contrary, some of them told us they were very happy here. They can sing, dance, play, chat and have fun like small children and enjoying their life to the fullest without any hesitation.
When we asked them about the staff and their treatment towards them, we were too happy to hear the answer which said "better than their own kids".
We wanted to spend some more time with them, but time and the manager both did not allow us.
We were very happy to do something special i.e charity to the old people. But deep inside our hearts, our eyes wept when we came out of the old age home thinking how could the children throw away their parents out of their homes?
Don't they ever remember them?
How could they kill their parents before time?
Don't they ever regret the same and realize what they do to their parents, can be done with them when they grow old?
When I reached back home, immediately rushed to my mom and gave her a big, tight hug and wept narrating the whole incident.
The whole night I could not sleep wondering, how long do parents live with us?
Once they are gone, they are gone!
Why don't people realize this and instead of regretting later, love and care their parents when they are alive.
Are our parents considered Liabilities or Assets ?
Thank You.