back then.

Friday, April 06, 2007

Would "Honour your father and mother" mean to put them in a home for the aged?

Professionals like doctors, bankers and lawyers treating the Home as a dumping ground
for their invalid parents.

Its just 900-1000+ a month, they thought, i can very well afford it given my FAT bank account.
I cant possibly have an "antique" in my posh and swanky house when my friends, paramour or client comes over can i?

So they dump them and only visit them when their schedule permits.

Out of sight, out of mind right?
But Ma/Pa, you know im currently handling a high profile lawsuit/ million dollar business deal yada yada
Please be understanding will you?

I had the privilege of visiting Irene's nursing home for CIP with my class yesterday.

no sarcasm at all really.. although i must admit that before, i dreaded going there
with my half-past-six chinese and absolutely no mastery of any dialect whatsoever

and boy, it was an eye-opener.
totally unlike from what you see on telly
where the old folks are totally engaged in activities,
the octagenarian/s (some even older) were lounging in chairs or wheelchairs
quite contentedly awaiting Death to take them away.

Major alarm bells sounded off in my head.
Dont they have a purpose in life?
What were they living for?
Dont they know JESUS?
THE ONE who died for them on a Friday; 2 thousand years ago
Only to rise 3 days later from the grave.
Sad to say but i doubt they do...

We sang, we danced, we played the guitar..
We gave gifts, we shook their hands and we hugged them..
But the thought refused to be dragged into the folder i titled "back of my head"

The defining moment came when we were about to leave after we sang more than words.
The old woman in the wheel chair starting bawling and refused to loosen her vice like grip on my classmate's hand.
Apparently, she didnt want us to leave.
Loneliness and other emotions are showing its manifestations.
It took some time for the helpers to placate her
and all this while i was watching from the sidelines.

"Dont be a wuss, Justin..", my brain trying to reaffirm its charge over my already watery eyes.
And it succeeded. or i wouldnt know how to face anyone. ahaha so unglam =p

Not to worry M'am, Jesus knows your hurt.
He feels your hurt.
He can take away your hurt
Like He did to mine...

10:56:00 AM