Once YOUNG Now OLD
Posted in HeartPrints on 10/13/2009 11:37 am by Sensible Woman
When the hands are not strong to hold, vision blurs and skin wrinkles, Botox injections only help to regain a youthful appearance. What about the soul dwelling on the inside? I am writing this blog as I was deeply touched after witnessing three old men who were waiting in the bank.
Here's the story
Aparna & I went to the Indian Bank during our break time. When I was about to open the glass door, an old man (First) came out and hold my right hand tightly. The touch of his hand sent an instant signal to my brain while my eyes were anxiously looking who could be the owner of that hand. As per the instruction from my brain, I turned and saw him. An old man with those big glasses covering his face partially was walking with the help of his assistant (walking stick). Suddenly sympathy filled my heart. With that feeling I pushed the glass door and stepped in. The whole place was dark and all I could see the shining red color from the optical mouse.
My friend was filling up the DD form meanwhile my eyes were observing the people in the bank. I saw the same old man was getting in along with two other men. The man who was in his 40s guided that old man to sign some small paper. The old man said that he could hardly see anything. So the two men walked him to a place where there was some light. The old man signed the paper. The man who was in his 25 to 30s went and gave that paper to the bank staff. And he returned with the same paper to the old man. "Why did you sign here?" asked the young man. Followed by the young man, the man in 40s raised his voice, "Why did you do this?" The old man didn't say a word. Then another slip was given to him for the signature. These two men walked that old man to another location where there was an ample amount of sunlight. Finally, it was done.
The old man (Second) who was sitting opposite to me asked, "Madam, what's the time now?" I replied, "It's 12 now". He smiled back to me saying, OK.
I was waiting for my friend and looking for the signs of her arrival to the place where I was seated comfortably. Another old man (Third) sat next to me. He took the chequebook from his brown color bag. After that he was searching for the pen. Even before I opened my to ask him, " Would you like to have a pen?". He said, "Can I have a pen?". I took the pen from my friend's hand and gave it to him. He said, thanks. The feeling I got was simply great. I was happy on the inside that I did something good that day.
I was watching him so closely as he was struggling to hold the pen in order to write his account details. He looked at me and asked, would you mind writing these details for me. I said, sure. He gave the pen to me. While I was filling the amount in words, he was sharing his heart with me that he had a stroke, which is why he couldn't fill the details. I could really understand how difficult for him of his age walking in the hot sun to the bank. I returned the cheque to him. It was his turn to put his signature. He was holding the pen so tightly without stopping at any point; he signed it with so much of difficulty. He said, "Thanks". I just smiled at
him.
We both left the bank with few things running through our minds. Why those old men were left alone to the bank? Even if someone accompanies them, why can't they treat them well? How can the family members leave an old man, who had a stroke, all alone to the bank?
My dear friends don't ever neglect the old people. We see many old age homes keep cropping up across our nation due to this one word in well-educated minds of the people - "BURDEN". When we born, our parents fed us, clothed us, washed us, changed our diapers 5 to 8 per day and wiped our tears while they relished themselves by just seeing our innocent, cute and lovely smiles. But when they get old, it's our time to take care of them like babies. If you neglect an old man/woman when you are young, it's so true that you will be neglected one day when you become old.
Older One”s
When I see grey hair and wrinkles,
I want to cringe at the sight.
When I see the elderly put up a fight,
I want to say go home, bury your head out of sight.
When I see an old person walking slow,
I want to give them a push, and tell them to go.
When I see an old person wanting a seat,
I just put up my feet.
That is what I see everyday,
People treating the old with dismay.
The young having their way,
While the older person can”t have their say.
How can I change the way of the young,
When all their friends laugh at their jokes and fun.
The world will still turn, And people
will still continue to make fun
But I will carry on my work,
To try and change people that lurk.
My grandmother would be proud,
Of her granddaughter now,
For her words of wisdom haunt my soul
And I am glad to have told.
Old people are not old and weak,
They have a lot to offer and can speak.
So when you see an old people, don”t push them away,
Sit and talk to them today.
(I came across this poem on the net and it's really worth sharing with you all!)