THEY, TOO, WERE YOUNG ONCE
To see the neglect of old people when suffering from all sorts of physical debility is painful, to say the least. Human ignorance and apathy, a large lack of concern when it comes to the aged, an utter lack of sympathy for these surviving human links of our past history, all this is horrific to bear and one wonders when a semblance of genuine spirituality that revels in service will dawn on our people. Then, and then alone, will we be in a position to say that we are a spiritual people with a rich spiritual heritage of which we are the rightful legatees.
I exhort all to take care of their aged at home and not relegate them to the care of mere help-maids or ayahs or even nurses. The personal touch is all that matters, not mere professional help by way of rendering care. These dying ones cling to the last lap of their lives and seek the touch of their beloved ones, the clasp of their hands, the caressing of their foreheads and a loving smile and a word of hope and light, for it is all these fundamental elements of life that matter to them, they who have now been shorn of all material attachments in the more mundane form and are but reduced through debility to their pristine pure state of native innocence.
So, give them what they need most --- the last bit of love they live for but for which they have no more purpose of living. Give them, my sisters, my brothers, give them this least bit of love before they bid adieu to this world of phenomenal dreams.
I end here for the night will bid adieu, too, and dawn will set in and I have yet to finish packing my baggage and the baggage is large. So, with the fair hope that my fervent entreaty will find sympathetic ears, I say, ''Sayonara'' to all of you and retire for the night. May the dawn bring forth nobler news !
Written by Sugata Bose
To see the neglect of old people when suffering from all sorts of physical debility is painful, to say the least. Human ignorance and apathy, a large lack of concern when it comes to the aged, an utter lack of sympathy for these surviving human links of our past history, all this is horrific to bear and one wonders when a semblance of genuine spirituality that revels in service will dawn on our people. Then, and then alone, will we be in a position to say that we are a spiritual people with a rich spiritual heritage of which we are the rightful legatees.
I exhort all to take care of their aged at home and not relegate them to the care of mere help-maids or ayahs or even nurses. The personal touch is all that matters, not mere professional help by way of rendering care. These dying ones cling to the last lap of their lives and seek the touch of their beloved ones, the clasp of their hands, the caressing of their foreheads and a loving smile and a word of hope and light, for it is all these fundamental elements of life that matter to them, they who have now been shorn of all material attachments in the more mundane form and are but reduced through debility to their pristine pure state of native innocence.
So, give them what they need most --- the last bit of love they live for but for which they have no more purpose of living. Give them, my sisters, my brothers, give them this least bit of love before they bid adieu to this world of phenomenal dreams.
I end here for the night will bid adieu, too, and dawn will set in and I have yet to finish packing my baggage and the baggage is large. So, with the fair hope that my fervent entreaty will find sympathetic ears, I say, ''Sayonara'' to all of you and retire for the night. May the dawn bring forth nobler news !
Written by Sugata Bose
No comments:
Post a Comment