It was somewhere last month when I realized how lucky I was. No, I did not copulate for the first time. Neither did I get my first job without having any credibility attached. It was under quite a bizarre situation that I realized how much special are my parents to me. And I guess everyone says the same about theirs. Each one of us reading this, am sure, must have, at one point in time of our lives, have sighed heavily while thinking about our parents and their contributions in making us what we are.
This is one story which you will not see nowhere. And read about. Or hear. Because this is personal. And more than that, this is not "saleable".
I was always a good student. Like almost all of us. Top-grader in school. No bad habits; no girl-friends. Brilliant in academics; excellent in extra-curriculars. A typical mama's boy who always finished his glass of milk (both in the morning and in the evening) and was always better than the rest in the extra swimming sessions, art lessons and table-tennis tutorials. Like almost all of us.
And then, one fine day, I decided to go abroad to finish my studies. Like almost all of us. Suddenly, the idea of "independence" and "liberty" was raging in my blood. The urge to meet new people; to explore a new land; to experience new experiences became intense and rampant. And my parents sent me to the place and college where I wanted to. Far away from them - Wow! I said while they sighed an inaudible sigh.
Then the world started changing. Late nights in the hostel watching movies; rock concerts; girl-friends; skipping lunch and dinner and the occasional bath; doing pot, bunking lectures - I did it all. Like almost all of us. Meanwhile, parents called regularly - and I told them regularly that I was eating properly; attending lectures on time and the library card has expired and hence needed more money. Like almost all of us.
Life is a good leveler. Poor marks; ill health and a revolting attitude were a good enough mirror to my misdemeanors. Yet, my parents persisted. They sent me to the B-school I wanted to - in spite of the fact that it was one of the most expensive ones. And I lapped it up, little realizing my past follies. Like almost all of us. Thankfully, better thought prevailed and I pulled up my socks. And did reasonably well - good enough to get a respectable job. My parents were elated. And proud. And I was proud of myself too - for being a fighter - for being able to fight out the demons inside me and reach the place and position that I am in today. Though, I forgot to thank my parents. Like almost all of us.
And last month, when I told them (Please note that I did not ASK them!) that I wanted to marry my girl-friend - they said a yes with a smile on their face and warmth in their hearts. And it was then, like a blessing (yes, blessing and not a bolt!) that everything fell into place.
I know there is no connection but somewhere, the sensations of ingratitude and carelessness took a severe beating. Their countenance and expressions and actions, were so overwhelming that it moved me. And how!
I realized the pain and the agony that they have undertaken for me - from saving money, by traveling in buses instead of cabs, so that I could attend those swimming and art classes to drinking black tea so that they could afford my two glasses of milk everyday; from crying their hearts out, behind my back, on my decision to leave home for higher education to sending me extra cash every month, in spite of the fact that they knew that my library card had months before getting expired.
What moved me most was the trust and faith that parents have on their children. And the unconditional love that they ooze of. At times, we do not realize the feelings targeted towards us. Almost all of us don't. We seldom comprehend the tumult that they undergo - our every action is somehow related to their feelings.
Never did I grasp while zipping down the road in my bike what my parents would experience if I met with an accident; never did I realize while bunking lectures that if I flunked, my parents would feel ashamed; never did I comprehend how horrified they would be if I was diagnosed with AIDS. Almost all of us don't.
But now I would. Now I treasure them more than ever. In fact, now, they are my biggest treasures. More so, because now, they need me more than ever. They need my attention; my love; my care; my time - things which they had generously showered on me at point in time.
Well, some of you might be thinking - why is this bloke writing such a hackneyed script? For them, I have my answers ready. One, because I felt like sharing my emotions with you all. And second, because I do not know whether I would be able to thank them ever. You never know what happens to them tomorrow or to me.
And for the rest of the gang, who have FELT my piece above, I do not need to explain the reason. They know what I am talking about. Like almost all of us.
About the AuthorAbhijit Bhattacharya The author is a Marketing professional in the field of broadcast media for more than 9 years now.
He was born in Kolkata, where he finished his hig...Read Morefirst published:March 16, 2007, 15:00 ISTlast updated:March 16, 2007, 15:00 IST
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I know this topic comes really out of the blue. I am not selling stories here. I can but will not write on Orkut. Or India's chances in the World Cup. Not even on IIT banning internet access in campus. Yes, I know most you might not read beyond this line. And that is exactly my idea. This piece of mine is dedicated to all those readers who FEEL for information, stories and news and not for those who NEED them.
It was somewhere last month when I realized how lucky I was. No, I did not copulate for the first time. Neither did I get my first job without having any credibility attached. It was under quite a bizarre situation that I realized how much special are my parents to me. And I guess everyone says the same about theirs. Each one of us reading this, am sure, must have, at one point in time of our lives, have sighed heavily while thinking about our parents and their contributions in making us what we are.
This is one story which you will not see nowhere. And read about. Or hear. Because this is personal. And more than that, this is not "saleable".
I was always a good student. Like almost all of us. Top-grader in school. No bad habits; no girl-friends. Brilliant in academics; excellent in extra-curriculars. A typical mama's boy who always finished his glass of milk (both in the morning and in the evening) and was always better than the rest in the extra swimming sessions, art lessons and table-tennis tutorials. Like almost all of us.
And then, one fine day, I decided to go abroad to finish my studies. Like almost all of us. Suddenly, the idea of "independence" and "liberty" was raging in my blood. The urge to meet new people; to explore a new land; to experience new experiences became intense and rampant. And my parents sent me to the place and college where I wanted to. Far away from them - Wow! I said while they sighed an inaudible sigh.
Then the world started changing. Late nights in the hostel watching movies; rock concerts; girl-friends; skipping lunch and dinner and the occasional bath; doing pot, bunking lectures - I did it all. Like almost all of us. Meanwhile, parents called regularly - and I told them regularly that I was eating properly; attending lectures on time and the library card has expired and hence needed more money. Like almost all of us.
Life is a good leveler. Poor marks; ill health and a revolting attitude were a good enough mirror to my misdemeanors. Yet, my parents persisted. They sent me to the B-school I wanted to - in spite of the fact that it was one of the most expensive ones. And I lapped it up, little realizing my past follies. Like almost all of us. Thankfully, better thought prevailed and I pulled up my socks. And did reasonably well - good enough to get a respectable job. My parents were elated. And proud. And I was proud of myself too - for being a fighter - for being able to fight out the demons inside me and reach the place and position that I am in today. Though, I forgot to thank my parents. Like almost all of us.
And last month, when I told them (Please note that I did not ASK them!) that I wanted to marry my girl-friend - they said a yes with a smile on their face and warmth in their hearts. And it was then, like a blessing (yes, blessing and not a bolt!) that everything fell into place.
I know there is no connection but somewhere, the sensations of ingratitude and carelessness took a severe beating. Their countenance and expressions and actions, were so overwhelming that it moved me. And how!
I realized the pain and the agony that they have undertaken for me - from saving money, by traveling in buses instead of cabs, so that I could attend those swimming and art classes to drinking black tea so that they could afford my two glasses of milk everyday; from crying their hearts out, behind my back, on my decision to leave home for higher education to sending me extra cash every month, in spite of the fact that they knew that my library card had months before getting expired.
What moved me most was the trust and faith that parents have on their children. And the unconditional love that they ooze of. At times, we do not realize the feelings targeted towards us. Almost all of us don't. We seldom comprehend the tumult that they undergo - our every action is somehow related to their feelings.
Never did I grasp while zipping down the road in my bike what my parents would experience if I met with an accident; never did I realize while bunking lectures that if I flunked, my parents would feel ashamed; never did I comprehend how horrified they would be if I was diagnosed with AIDS. Almost all of us don't.
But now I would. Now I treasure them more than ever. In fact, now, they are my biggest treasures. More so, because now, they need me more than ever. They need my attention; my love; my care; my time - things which they had generously showered on me at point in time.
Well, some of you might be thinking - why is this bloke writing such a hackneyed script? For them, I have my answers ready. One, because I felt like sharing my emotions with you all. And second, because I do not know whether I would be able to thank them ever. You never know what happens to them tomorrow or to me.
And for the rest of the gang, who have FELT my piece above, I do not need to explain the reason. They know what I am talking about. Like almost all of us.
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