SubscribeWhen I am Old
Image by Keenan
“Don’t be angry with children, you’ve come along the same way. Don’t laugh at old people; you’d go to the same way.” - Japanese proverb shared by Nyanko from Rain Cats And Dogs.
A tribute to all mothers and fathers in the world. The write up below was translated directly from a Chinese poster I saw, pinned up, on one of the doors at my sister’s house. A gentle reminder that we were once ‘old’ when we were young. Does this make sense to you?
A Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers in the world!
When I am Old
When I am old and not my original self,
Please be understanding and be patient with me.
When I spill the soup on my own clothes,
And forget how to tie my shoelaces,
Please think about how I had taught you, step by step, to tie your shoelaces.
When you are tired of the words, which I am repeating,
Please listen patiently and don’t interrupt me.
When you were young, I had to repeat the same story again and again until you fell asleep.
When I need you to shower me,
Please don’t blame me.
Do you remember how I had to coax you to take your shower?
When I am helpless with new technology and things,
Please don’t make fun of me.
Think about how I patiently answered every ‘Why’ you had.
When both my legs are too tired to walk,
Please stretch out your strong hand to support me.
Just as I stretched out my hand to you, when you were learning to walk.
When the topic of our conversation slip my mind,
Please give me a little time to recall.
Actually, whatever the topic of our conversation is of no importance.
I will be contented, as long as you are listening to me by my side.
When my time has come, please don’t be sad.
Understand me, support me,
Just as how I treated you, when you were starting to learn about living.
I had guided you on you life journey back then,
Now please stays with me until my journey ends.
Shower me with your love and patience, I will smile with gratitude;
The smile of unconditional love for you.
by JamericanSpice, on May 9 2009 @ 9:22 am
I love it. It is very true and I’ve always thought about it like this.
JamericanSpices last blog post..Mother’s Day Gift Guide
by Shu Fen, on May 9 2009 @ 10:30 am
Very touching!
I feel like i read it somewhere though…
Happy Mother’s Day!
Cheers!
Vicissitudes of Life
Shu Fens last blog post..On Bullshit !
by Symphony of Love, on May 9 2009 @ 11:08 am
@ JamericanSpice, it is very true indeed.
by Nyanko, on May 9 2009 @ 3:50 pm
I love it,too.
We Japanese have a proverb like this…
” Don’t be angry with children, you’ve come along the same way. Don’t laugh at old people, you’d go to the same way.”
We forget about that, we don’t recognize when it comes to us.
Nyankos last blog post..MATSURI
by Symphony of Love, on May 9 2009 @ 4:18 pm
@ Nyanko, thank you for sharing this Japanese proverb with us. How very true and enlightening that is.
by Symphony of Love, on May 9 2009 @ 4:31 pm
@ Shu Fen, perhaps, you have the same poster too. Someone gave that poster to my sister and she has it pinned on one of the doors in her house.
by philly5113, on May 9 2009 @ 6:15 pm
Thank you for this post. It is very timely. I decided to write a note to my children this morning not so much about my aging but theirs. I gave them my expectations for them in regards to gifts and rememberances as they enter the world of work. I think this is the next guidance document for them. Nice job!
Thanks.
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by Symphony of Love, on May 9 2009 @ 6:45 pm
@ Philly, I believe it’ll be a beautiful note. Thank you for reading.
by Mr Javo, on May 10 2009 @ 5:59 am
Oh… that made me feel sad…
I think that people become old when they stop learning…
Mr Javos last blog post..Your First Pay Per Click Campaign In 8 Simple Steps
by Symphony of Love, on May 10 2009 @ 7:07 am
@ My Javo, indeed and thus the saying, “growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional.”
by PJ, on May 10 2009 @ 7:25 pm
that gave me a lump in my throat, great thoughts for all of us to remember. thanks for sharing this.
PJs last blog post..I Have Been Tagged to Join the International Bloggers Community
by Symphony of Love, on May 10 2009 @ 8:22 pm
@ PJ, you are most welcome. The first thought I have when I saw the poster in my sister’s house, was to translate it and post it here for all of you and I to read and to remind ourselves constantly.
by Paul, on May 10 2009 @ 10:24 pm
Oh! I love this! Truly nothing can be at par with a mother’s love (father’s too).
Thanks for sharing.
Paul
Pauls last blog post..Photo Shoot Day 3
by Symphony of Love, on May 11 2009 @ 12:48 am
@ Paul, yes, the greatest unconditional love and acceptance are that from parents.
by Karen, author of "My Funny Dad, Harry", on May 11 2009 @ 2:37 am
This is a very good poem–great message. I think of how I tried to be patient with my dad in his last year when he would move so slow and his mind slowed down some to where it took him longer to comprehend things. I learned to be more patient from being with him.
Karen, author of “My Funny Dad, Harry”s last blog post..Thanks For The Over The Top Award, Liza
by Symphony of Love, on May 11 2009 @ 6:46 am
@ Karen, thank you for sharing something about you and your dad. It reminds me of my dad in his last year. He was down with fourth stage cancer and kidney failure, which required him to undergo dialysis. He lost hope at some point of time and it was painful to see him going through the sufferings. And there were times when I lost my patience when I saw him giving up on his fight.
by Penny, on May 11 2009 @ 8:38 am
That proverb is something that we would all do so well to remember. Thanks for sharing!
Pennys last blog post..First Blogoversary - An Audio Post
by Symphony of Love, on May 11 2009 @ 8:03 pm
@ Penny, that proverb is indeed something; so simple and yet so enlightening. If we understand and practice it, relationship between parents and children will surely improve.
by Tammy-Cricket, on May 12 2009 @ 5:25 am
Hey there,
This is just beautiful! I remember caring for my grandmother when she was so helpless. I look back with reflection and I am so happy that I did have the patience and love to give her.
She never grew up. She was a lively child even when faced with death. We had many conversations throughout her life and she spoke of things in this poem many times. How we begin as a child and end as a child.
Thank you for sharing.
by Symphony of Love, on May 12 2009 @ 5:53 am
@ Tammy, indeed, we all walk through the journey of life to end at where we first began. Thank you for sharing the memories of you and your grandmother with us. From your writings, I have already come to know what a great lady she was.
by Marie, on May 12 2009 @ 6:55 am
Very touching…love it. I will always remember this one and put in my heart. I miss my parents badly.
by Symphony of Love, on May 12 2009 @ 7:43 am
@ Marie, glad that you love it. Though you may not physically be with your parents, they are always close in your heart. Whenever you miss them, just pull them out from your heart and hold them tight.
by Keenan, on May 12 2009 @ 12:26 pm
Thank you for using my image in such an inspiring poem.
by Symphony of Love, on May 12 2009 @ 4:15 pm
@ Keenan, thank you for producing such beautiful shot.
by Webbielady, on May 13 2009 @ 9:44 pm
It’s sad to think that majority of the youngsters don’t value their old ones but sometimes others have reasons too.
When I finished the poem, there’s a title popping out of my mind: “It’s Payback Time, Child”…
Webbieladys last blog post..WOOF Contest – Top Picks
by Symphony of Love, on May 13 2009 @ 10:02 pm
@ Webbielady, indeed it is a pity that some youngsters don’t value their old ones as they are ignorant of the fact that one day they will have their turns. And how they are treating their old ones now, they will be ‘haunted’ one day when they are old too. And it is a pity also how some older people do not treat their young ones with unconditional love as they have forgotten that they were once young too.
That is an interesting title. Perhaps you can write on something about it.
by alwayswinner786, on May 14 2009 @ 3:02 am
Soul touching!
I have nothing more to say.
Let all our loved one’s stay healthy happy and in love.
alwayswinner786s last blog post..Wish You A Very Happy Mother’s Day
by Symphony of Love, on May 14 2009 @ 5:07 am
@ Alwayswinner786, that are the most important wishes, for our loved ones to stay healthy, happy and be loved.
by Tabitha Blue, on May 15 2009 @ 7:00 pm
Just beautiful, lovely post.
~Tabitha~
freshmommyblog.com
by Symphony of Love, on May 15 2009 @ 7:18 pm
@ Tabitha, thank you. Have a great weekend.