My last trip to perform filial duties to the people who contributed to my DNA was sort of kick in the butt of sorts.
Suddenly I realized that the lady was not as agile as she used to be. Giving an occasional cough recovering from the common flu, she moved slowly to dutifully complete her duties as a the half contributor to the built up of her offspring who manifests occasionally for a peek. The duty that she had performed all her life for him until he was strong enough to fly off the nest. I thought she appeared fragile with a slight stoop and restricted right shoulder movement.
Recovering from recent repeated bouts of ill health, he, on the other hand looked haggard further exaggerated by the three days' unshaven stubble. Gone are full bodied arm and shoulder muscle mass, he walked slowly yearning for coordination affected by failing eyesight and sluggish blood flow.
Man, it hit me! They have now gracefully slipped into the geriatric population.
Hey, I am not spring chicken myself. With thinning greying hairline with a near visible scalp and soon to hit the half century mark, I hope to be level headed and rational. The world changes around us. We do not have to change with them. We have to just to accept their change and play their tune. You cannot change the world. Insisting on doing so will only cast a label on yourself as a loony, a grumpy old man, living in the past, suspended in time, etcetera.
I gazed deep into their eyes, reminiscening and thanking for all the good times, hoping that the gaze will transfer my soulful gratitude for lending their supporting hands during the falls from my baby steps. Being inadequate in extrovertly exhibiting affection, I was hoping the deep gaze will transfer my inner unexpressed desires. Suddenly all the good times just flashed before my eyes. In those memories they appear so youthful and gay. Secretly (but cursing myself for thinking so), I was hoping that that was not the last long gaze.
After all their guidance either directly or indirectly all those years, now I can say, "Look Ma, No hands!"
Suddenly I realized that the lady was not as agile as she used to be. Giving an occasional cough recovering from the common flu, she moved slowly to dutifully complete her duties as a the half contributor to the built up of her offspring who manifests occasionally for a peek. The duty that she had performed all her life for him until he was strong enough to fly off the nest. I thought she appeared fragile with a slight stoop and restricted right shoulder movement. Recovering from recent repeated bouts of ill health, he, on the other hand looked haggard further exaggerated by the three days' unshaven stubble. Gone are full bodied arm and shoulder muscle mass, he walked slowly yearning for coordination affected by failing eyesight and sluggish blood flow.
Man, it hit me! They have now gracefully slipped into the geriatric population.
Hey, I am not spring chicken myself. With thinning greying hairline with a near visible scalp and soon to hit the half century mark, I hope to be level headed and rational. The world changes around us. We do not have to change with them. We have to just to accept their change and play their tune. You cannot change the world. Insisting on doing so will only cast a label on yourself as a loony, a grumpy old man, living in the past, suspended in time, etcetera.
I gazed deep into their eyes, reminiscening and thanking for all the good times, hoping that the gaze will transfer my soulful gratitude for lending their supporting hands during the falls from my baby steps. Being inadequate in extrovertly exhibiting affection, I was hoping the deep gaze will transfer my inner unexpressed desires. Suddenly all the good times just flashed before my eyes. In those memories they appear so youthful and gay. Secretly (but cursing myself for thinking so), I was hoping that that was not the last long gaze.
After all their guidance either directly or indirectly all those years, now I can say, "Look Ma, No hands!"
*Urban dictionary,
An accomplishment,
Something to say to one's mom after or during accomplishment of something that would usually be done with more than "no hands".
- "Look ma no hands!", when riding a bike with no hands
- "Look ma no hands!", when an insurgent blows up your humvee on a mission in Iraq and you lose your hands. (ref, the wire 5th season) sic.
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