Kid at Heart
Life is too short to be wrapped in a social cocoon. When I was growing up, my folks once told me to look for a good job after I graduate. When I was dating, my folks told me to save up for a flat, get married and bear them a grandchild. Basically, that's their definition of life. To them, life is a cycle, nothing too adventurous nor too risky. They nag, but ultimately still pamper me and my sister. All the chores at home have been taken care of, hot meals on the dinner table when we are hungry, even down to the laundry... they took responsibility for our well-being.
But seeing them age in such a way made me think otherwise, perhaps I've received more education than they did, or the society has shaped me into a different generation than they were used to. They made growing old seem painful and depressing.
Few years back I took the risk to venture out, leaving behind the comfort of home and friends. It was the greatest risk I've ever taken in my entire life. Down that rocky road, I've found my soul-mate, traveled, met new friends from different walks of life and when the time felt right, I exchanged vows with the love of my life. Having children can wait, we're keen to enjoy a few more years without smelly nappies.
We're only given one go with life, it's too short to let others run it on our behalf. We choose to keep life fun as we age.
We keep game consoles in our living room, portable consoles in our drawer, stay up late at night, laugh over silly jokes, eat ice-cream after midnight. Who said growing old has to be boring?
Responsibilities of an Adult/ Parents
Recent visit home, I've discovered that Bubble (my miniature pinscher which I left in the care of my family) has developed a skin problem. My folks provided him with food, baths, walks, the very basic necessities to make him feel comfortable. And when he's sick, they hardly noticed.
I see a close resemblance in that aspect with my childhood. They provided all we need to grow up, but hardly spend any time to play with us. They have never asked for our opinions or what we want in our life. In a way I could bluntly put it that they have neglected our feelings. My childhood hasn't been quite the holistic kind. And when I took up certain interests, be it asking for piano lessons, drawing classes, etc they turn me down flat saying that those were not necessary. I've seen children of my age forced to go for extra classes which they hated, whereas I'd die for to be in their shoes.
My relationship with my parents made me think hard on a lot of things. Looking from a more positive angle, I thank them for setting a bad example. At least I know what to do and what not to do when I eventually have kids of my own. At least I know what I want in life and not age with misery. At least I know that life is too short to waste on obsessing over things which we should have done rather than just doing it.
Life is too short to be wrapped in a social cocoon. When I was growing up, my folks once told me to look for a good job after I graduate. When I was dating, my folks told me to save up for a flat, get married and bear them a grandchild. Basically, that's their definition of life. To them, life is a cycle, nothing too adventurous nor too risky. They nag, but ultimately still pamper me and my sister. All the chores at home have been taken care of, hot meals on the dinner table when we are hungry, even down to the laundry... they took responsibility for our well-being.
But seeing them age in such a way made me think otherwise, perhaps I've received more education than they did, or the society has shaped me into a different generation than they were used to. They made growing old seem painful and depressing.
Few years back I took the risk to venture out, leaving behind the comfort of home and friends. It was the greatest risk I've ever taken in my entire life. Down that rocky road, I've found my soul-mate, traveled, met new friends from different walks of life and when the time felt right, I exchanged vows with the love of my life. Having children can wait, we're keen to enjoy a few more years without smelly nappies.
We're only given one go with life, it's too short to let others run it on our behalf. We choose to keep life fun as we age.
We keep game consoles in our living room, portable consoles in our drawer, stay up late at night, laugh over silly jokes, eat ice-cream after midnight. Who said growing old has to be boring?
Responsibilities of an Adult/ Parents
Recent visit home, I've discovered that Bubble (my miniature pinscher which I left in the care of my family) has developed a skin problem. My folks provided him with food, baths, walks, the very basic necessities to make him feel comfortable. And when he's sick, they hardly noticed.
I see a close resemblance in that aspect with my childhood. They provided all we need to grow up, but hardly spend any time to play with us. They have never asked for our opinions or what we want in our life. In a way I could bluntly put it that they have neglected our feelings. My childhood hasn't been quite the holistic kind. And when I took up certain interests, be it asking for piano lessons, drawing classes, etc they turn me down flat saying that those were not necessary. I've seen children of my age forced to go for extra classes which they hated, whereas I'd die for to be in their shoes.
My relationship with my parents made me think hard on a lot of things. Looking from a more positive angle, I thank them for setting a bad example. At least I know what to do and what not to do when I eventually have kids of my own. At least I know what I want in life and not age with misery. At least I know that life is too short to waste on obsessing over things which we should have done rather than just doing it.
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