By Falguni Supekar
This is a story that resonates with me deeply,
I remember it till today not as a blur, but vividly.
We’ve always grown up listening — how the presence of the old brings bliss,
Not only do they bring good luck, but the feeling of togetherness is never amiss.
As far as I recall my childhood memories,
My fondest ones were with my grandfather and his endless stories.
Be it my favourite sweets, new clothes, or travelling,
I would accompany him everywhere — holding his stick in my hand and joyfully blabbering.
The little girl didn’t realise it then, but knows very well now —
How it was never the stick, but me — his support system and comfort zone somehow.
This bond makes me recollect an emotional incident back in the day,
I was in the 9th standard, left speechless by the emotional rollercoaster which came my way.
We went on a school trip to an old age home,
Whose gate was as withered and hopeless as its residents, longing for the familiar — the known.
We entered a huge garden, with a homely feeling about the place,
As if the sadness had masked itself well, with smiles filled with grace.
Our teachers instructed us, “Nobody should ask any inappropriate questions.”
“Don’t sprinkle salt on their wounds” — that was their actual suggestion.
We were divided into groups and waited for the grandparents to arrive,
A few of them joined our group, and our conversation began to thrive.
We introduced ourselves, talked about how they liked to spend their leisure time,
But something felt missing — as if they were hiding the wounds of a lifetime.
Then, suddenly, another grandfather joined us in conversation,
He was their friend — short in height, but with a face lit with the brightest fascination.
He came in like a breath of fresh air, cracking jokes on one another,
And in no time, became our favourite and the life of the group like no other.
“My grandson is your age too,” he exclaimed with a whirling of confetti in his mind’s eye.
“I get a phone call from him sometimes… I talk till my heart is full — I wish I didn’t have to say goodbye.”
In the midst of all the conversations, came the moment when we had to bid them adieu.
A classmate of ours asked, “How old are all of you?”
Our ever-smiling grandfather replied, “We are all above 70 now, younger hardly a few.”
My classmate said, “You all might be 70+, but your hearts are so young — that is true!”
We saw their eyes sparkle with happiness.
I wished I could stay with them longer — something about my grandfather I would wish and express.
Our hearts full of tenderness, we began moving back towards our school.
But then, something happened — a memory like a precious jewel.
I don’t know why, but I felt the urge to turn back
To find our ever-smiling grandpa standing alone behind the tree’s track.
Wiping away his tears, for his heart could no longer hold it together —
A face that was smiling and making others laugh, was hiding pain no one could measure.
I couldn’t gather the courage to console him,
Stood there still — wondering how grim the realities of old age can be.
A man who gave up the treasures of his life for his family
Now stood helpless — alone in a crowd, in reality.
These grandparents might find amongst themselves a little bit of solace,
But hearts wait for phone calls, and eyes long for a familiar face.
With this heart-wrenching moment still fresh in my thoughts,
As we began to leave, we met a few grandmothers amongst the other lot.
As we sought their blessings, we gave them a promise in return —
To visit again, to not keep them waiting for the love they yearn.
But,
As time passed by, our castle of promises disappeared,
We never crossed paths again — love lost against our greatest fears.
Yet today, as I look back, I make a new promise to keep —
I know the past is irreversible, but the future is mine to seek.
My parents will never have to shed tears longing for my time,
I’ll be there — not as a burden, but a joy, as they were in their prime.
Just a room in your house is not enough,
A room in your heart makes the twilight of life less tough.
In the end, all I can say is — I wish
The ever-smiling grandpa could know how special he is.
Lucky are those who have you.
When we said you’re rich and the youngest at heart — it was always true!
So friends, did you speak to your parents today?
Pick up the phone — and let us all hear what our hearts want to say!