Two steps ahead and one step back

Trying to move on with life which is difficult, remembering the time spent with my dad.

It was so easy then, I could call him anytime, share with him my problems or ask for a recipe or argue with him when he thought I was being careless.  He was a conservative person, the modern way of life was not easily acceptable to him, specially eating of fast foods or late night-outs.  Hence the differences.

My brother's loved him but keeping with the present fast and modern life and meeting their family's (wife and childrens) demands at times became a tug of war for them. They had to always choose, in the bargain dad always felt left out and lonely.  After my mom he was alone and though independent decided to spent the rest of his life with his 2 sons alternatively.  He tried his best to keep himself busy by reading books, watching TV, spending time with grandchildren or meeting his friends in the evening.

Life is strange... with time situations change and tables turn, there are expectations which one has to live up-to whether capable or not!

When we were small our parents demanded, we live up to their expectations, study well - get good grades, get a job and they were also interested in what type of friends we have or where we go and what we do.  They wanted us to adapt to things as times changed and demanded, always expecting the best from us.

Ofcourse the idea behind it was: We have a bright future and lead a happy, healthy, normal life.  

We grew up as expected, adapting ourselves to the changing times, trying to keep up with the situations life demanded. Enjoyed the fast foods (which though unhealthy is delicious), met friends, watched late night movies.

Only where we all failed was balancing the past while keeping with the present - racing for the future. The pace being too fast the gap increased, lack of communication to try and understand each other while we were changing with times, he was left way behind.  Result: he felt out of place, unimportant and used.

As parents it becomes difficult to compromise with old beliefs and changing values, but as kids we are trained to change and adapt to changing times and life's demands.

With time children expect their parents to understand them, accept their changing attitudes and keep up with their demands and expect their presence in silence. We all love our parents no matter what, its just that we fail to take them along - to go one step back while we walk 2 steps ahead [2-1].

2-1= is just letting them know "they are important to us", taking their opinion on day to day matters, sharing the day spent at work or with friends, makes them feel important and wanted. It will help them understand the changing times and that makes a difference.

At the end its not the money or material things that Parents wants, 'only being wanted by their children' makes the difference.

Anticipating...... that one step ..... as life awaits for history to be repeated.