From Papa, with love & blessings. Review on Caring for Aging Parents

WORLD ELDERS' DAY: 1st October

My Dear Nikhil

My blessings to Rahul, Aparajita, Bahurani, and you. Hope you all are happy and doing well. I am writing this letter to you today to mark the completion of twenty years of your stay in the US. You left for Florida on 1st October 1987. Rahul and Aparajita were not even born then. Seems like it was yesterday. We saw you off from Santacruz. There was a light drizzle that day and your flight was delayed by 1 hour. That was a very precious one hour for us. See how time seems to fly.

Had you mother been alive today, she would have been very happy to see you prosper. She wanted to see Rahul and Aparajita one last time but you know it was not possible. I understand that you couldn’t come due to your hectic work schedule. The last time you came you could stay for just 2 days in Mumbai before you went off to Srinagar and Kashmir for vacations.  Rahul was 11 then….and Aparajita 6, isn’t it? Your mother was inconsolable during her last hours. But I managed to pacify her. Read her verses from Bhagwad Geeta. Then she slept peacefully. Never mind son, just reminiscing some poignant moments. I have a large treasure of them you know.

I have kept the card you sent me last year on Fathers Day on the TV cabinet. I just cant tell you how happy I am to have received that card. It’s a very beautiful card. Sharmaji, our landlord too has appreciated the card. He is always very appreciative of American things. He was expecting that you would send a card this year also. But I understand son. You are very busy. You are the deputy director of your company….probably you just forgot. Never mind. I have explained to Sharmaji that you have telephoned me. Just send me one next year….would you? I know you will.

Don’t worry about me. I’m fine here. There was a little hassle regarding my pension …they suddenly stopped sending the amount to my account. Sharmaji sorted it out. It took 2000 rupees to settle the issue….some clerk had erroneously put my name in the deceased’s list. Otherwise life’s normal. The servant abruptly left last month. Probably he was disappointed that I didn’t have much in my almirah. But I can manage things on my own. I eat one time only. I cook myself. Sometimes Sharmaji’s daughter brings some dal or subzi. I am seventy already. My requirements are very limited. I am very particular about my BP and heart medication. I remember how Bahurani took good care of my BP medicines when first she came to our household after your marriage. Tell Bahurani not to worry. I never miss a dose. Caught some flu last week. Had mild fever. Took medicines from the local dispensary. Now I am fine.

What more to write. I have kept the sum of 50000 that you sent me last year in a fixed deposit. If there is any need don’t hesitate to tell me son. I shall have it transferred to you quickly. Give Rahul and Aparajita my blessings. I long to see them. Must be pretty grown up and responsible children. Never send them far from you son. It’s a curse to lose your children to faraway lands. Its heartbreaking. But never mind. Don’t worry about me. I know its difficult for you…but if you can just find some time, do make a visit to India. I have a suggestion….plan your next vacation in India. Keep just one day for Mumbai. I shall be very happy to see you again. Its seven years now we last met. Can you send me some recent photos of all of you? I don’t know if I shall ever see you again. I am already seventy. Don’t know when the final call comes!

Your brother Akhil came with his family last Diwali. Stayed here for 2 days. Says he will come this year in December. They are in Noida. Chhoti Bahu was asking me if I would go to Noida to stay with them for some time. I declined. I am fine here. I am happy that both of you think so much for me. I am thankful to God for having given me two fine sons who have been very successful in their careers. But I miss you. Never mind. Don’t be upset. I am just fine.

Take care son. You are 46. Never neglect your health. Health is wealth. You have the finest healthcare facilities in America. Tell Bahurani to take care of her health too. Tell Rahul and Aparajita that Dadu has send them blessings. Please ask them to send me a letter or two once in a while. I do not understand your…what you call it…e-mails.

Love and Blessings

Papa

Nothing to exhort, nothing to sermonize. Just think over it and make this day count.*

Best Regards

Sudipto

PS: Amit Mishra(main_chup) has written Nikhil's reply to his father's letter(in the comments section). Read it to get .shocked! Nikhil is not at all the guy we were thinking all along.he is mature and sensible.and above all.loves his Father dearly.