The Bitter Reality

Aging is part of a lifespan continuum,
and an inescapable chapter of life;
that catches up with every one of us.

But when asked from an old parent
What is the worst of woes that wait on age?
What stamps the wrinkle deeper on the brow?

The answer comes:
"To view each loved one bloted from life's page,
and be alone on earth, as we are now".

Dear son and dear daughter,
The day you find that I have become very old,
try to have some patience
with me and try to understand me.

If I get dirty while eating…
if I have some difficulty dressing…be
patient! Remember the hours that I
spent teaching you these thing when
you were small

If I repeat the same thing dozens of
time, do not interrupt me! listen to me.
When you were small, you kept
asking me to repeat you the same
story, evening after evening, until you fell asleep.

If I do not wash myself so often
under the shower, do not reprimand
and do not tell me that it is a shame.
Remember how many excuses
I had to invent to make you take a bath
when you were small.

By seeing my ignorance of new
technologies, do not laugh at me but
give me time to understand.
I taught you so many things…to eat
well…to dress well… to behave well…
how to confront the problems of the life…

If I sometimes lose memory or am
not able to follow a converstion, give
me the necessary time to recollect
and if I do not get there, do not
become a nervous and arrogant
person because the most important
thing for me.. is to be with you and
to be able to speak to you.

If I refuse to eat, do not force me!
I know very well when I am hungry
and when I am not.

When my poor legs will not allow
me to move as before…help me in
the same way as when I held your
hands to teach you take your first steps.

And when one day, I shall say to
you that I do not want to live any
more… that I want to die, you will
also understand! that at certain
age we do not really live any more.
We simply survive!!!

One day, you will understand that
in spite of all my errors, I always
wanted what was best for you. You
do not have to feel sad, unfortunate
or incompetent in front of my old
age and of my state. You have to stay
near me, try to understand what I live for.

Help me walk, help me to end my life
with love and patience. The only thing
that I need from you is a smile
and a lot of love.

I love you…my son, my daughter!


your Dad, your Mum