Phase – the problem of termination

It appears that we have seen our ripping time. I told my wife at the dining table. She was taking care of my dishes and instructing my caretaker rather than my well-wisher as per my health condition. She stared at me in a style opposite to the stare that we enjoyed at a young age. Stares in the history of young age have different meanings at different times and on different occasions. I think that staring is a good, silent example of a homonym figure of speech in life. But at dining time at this phase of life, it is always used as a warning of repercussions, later in solitude in my phase of life. As usual as a right of control, her reply was every time the same related to my health issue. I always retaliated but submitted to her with pleasure.

She is my friend, well-wisher, all-weather partner and caretaker from my childhood. Yes, we have grown together, fought for silly things, protected each other and shared our toys, as we have been neighbours. We do not know when childhood friendship converted into natural love and attraction to be together. Our friendship got one more name of binding in marriage with the consent of both sides’ families.

Since marriage, she has become my companion wholeheartedly. Though we have been in marriage, yet we are friends first and we have no hesitation in conversations and giving meaning to life concerning each other with due respect. In other’s views, the flower had timely blossomed for us and our lives had been disciplined to be rational to have “our” times.

As time is like a bird, it has flown to turn us older and older. Health has sent a warning to be careful. On the front of prospects, we have been blessed with one son and one daughter, but God has taken back our parents for continuity of his cycles.

There is no need to write in detail that many concepts have changed, emotions have been saleable, relationships have been self-oriented and many unexpected heinous things have taken space with our greying hairs. But only she is with me and I may say that she has taken my all problems. I always express my indebtedness to my mother, who has handed over me to another good, sensible, supportive and comprehensive woman. She is the guardian and like a dictator for me but becomes a friend in my time of need.

After my retirement, she has become more conscious related to my health and engagements to be busy. She has a plan to pass the time without repentance on our previous life, which has seen negligence for herself. We mostly play games of our childhood to pass the time together. The only difference is that we are now freer while playing these games. But this is not the solution. We search for pleasures for our smooth survival.

Life may not always be smooth, we know. The time has changed for our son after the change in his status. He has been employed and independent. We have done our duties as parents and grandparents, but our traditional expectations have failed. We do not need monetary support, but only emotional and timely care are required. The main concern is about the situation of being one in the world due to God’s actions.

Still, we are talking about rituals. I have seen many old parents who are like us. We are happy that our children are making their way. But we are waiting for the last breath in life. We do not have opportunities to be busy or to utilize our expertise. Even print media or electronic media or other organisations take notice of we old folks at special times as a token of recognition.

This phase of the life cycle is not well planned. There is no sufficient institutional support for old people dealing with their problems. There are negligible management systems for them. An old-age care system may be evolved into an industry of professionals like health sectors. Robots and artificial intelligence may be modified for the care of older people. Olders are like children. They need care like children. They are useful with their capabilities. They may always be contributors in many ways.

We old folks need graceful farewell and termination from this world.

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