After his father’s passing, the son made the difficult decision to place his mother in an old age home, occasionally visiting her. One day, he received a distressing call from the facility, informing him that his mother was gravely ill and urging him to visit. Rushing to her side, he found her lying critically ill on her deathbed.
With concern in his eyes, the son asked, “Mom, what can I do for you?”
In a feeble voice, his mother replied, “Please install fans in the old age home, there are none…. Also put a fridge for betterment of food because many times i slept without food”
The son was taken aback by his mother’s request. He questioned “Mom, while you were here you never complained, now you have few hours left and you are telling me all this, why?”
His mother responded with a serene yet poignant tone, “its OK dear, i have managed with the heat, hunger & pain, but when your children will send you here, i am afraid you will not be able to manage!”
She warned him passionately, urging him to take care of what she would leave behind. She emphasized the importance of modernizing the old age home, explaining her fear that one day, his own children might abandon him there, subjecting him to the same hardships she endured. Her final words resonated deeply, “What you give is what you get.”
Her words lingered in the son’s heart as he realized the immense significance of his mother’s message. It was a profound reminder of the cycle of life, the impact of our actions, and the importance of treating others with compassion and empathy.
From that moment on, the son vowed to honor his mother’s wishes, working diligently to improve the conditions of the old age home and ensuring that no resident would suffer in silence. He understood that by caring for those who came before us, we pave the way for a future where kindness and respect are extended to us in return.