Scene I
They look wearied. They look tired. They are an old couple in a lone country. Their entire day is spent sitting in the living room watching TV with usual breaks to make food in between. They are unusually silent. Why are they so despondent? What is bothering them? There is something which is unsaid..something which is locked deep in their heart.
I talked to them. That brought a smile on their face. Even a small conversation seems to cheer them up. Suddenly during the conversation, they became despondent once again. Initially I thought I spoke out something wrong. However, I dint have to wait too much to find out what made them so sad.
I asked them about their son. Then the emotions rushed out from their heart like a volcano erupts after being dormant for a long time. Their son does not have enough time to spend with them. Weekdays are devoted to his work and weekends for his friends.
He does not listen to them. He does not talk to them. He bought this big house for them. They feel what this house is without his love and respect. He stays with them, but he is like a stranger!
“Our only son is a stranger to us”
Scene II
He is young. He is talented. He is vibrant. He works hard and likes to party harder. But he is not happy. Even he is not happy. What on earth makes him sad?!
One day he talked about it over a couple of drinks. He was candid and shot straight from the heart. According to him he sacrificed a lot and continues doing the same.
I asked him to elaborate. After initial hesitation, he indicated the “sacrifices” he made for his parents. They are not happy with him even he tries to do things with the best of his ability. According to him, he sacrificed his freedom staying with his parents. He can’t come back home drunk and partying the entire night. Hence he needs to stay away in the weekend with his friends. He cant do things on his own because his parents don’t like that. He doesn’t want to get married and his parents are upset due to this. He avoids them during the weekdays coz all they have to talk is about his marriage after a hard day at work.
He is trying to do everything he can. He bought a big and independent house sacrificing his dream for a Porsche. He stays with them coz he understand that this would make them happy. Every parent would like their son to do this. He is willing to do things to keep his parents happy. However at the same time he indicated he has a life of his own. He is not happy.
“My only parents do not understand me”
Aww that hurts 😦
Yup Rani. That actually hurts. Sometimes such expectations create a distance in a relationship. And the outcome…no one is happy! 😦
Very sad to read…but sometimes I feel elders place too much expectations on children, which is when problems arise.
Why pester someone about marriage after he has returned from work? Why can’t we all let each other be? Relationships would be so much better then
Yes Nishi. This happens pretty often when parents put too much expectations on children.
I really cant say who is wrong here…because if you see both the perspectives…both are somewhere right at their place…even though the expectations are too much from the parents side. But thats how relationships are! Complex and difficult to comprehend. This problem can be really sorted out..and most family go through the same problem. But then some are able to pull it off and some are not.
Yikes… Tht hurt !!!
😦
ouch…
But it happens in other situations too… communication goes down, runimation sets in, and after a while any reason for not visiting seems like just another excuse.
On the other side, the friends may not actually be more important, and the son/family/friend might not be partying in the sense of true partying at all.
Yeah. You are right. It happens in other situations too.
Yes..that may be the case..that someone might not be partying in the sense of true partying…as this also become one of the excuse to stay away!
Relationships…strange it is!
@My Tweets: You should try to take advantage of the seasonal sales, for scarves and a good jacket.
Thanks so much for your concern bydegrees. It is actually getting very cold and I need to buy warm clothes. I will surely start looking for seasonal sales. Folks here suggested me to shop from Macys, Sears or JC Penny! What do you suggest? Are they very expensive?
Thanks (blushing)
I go to Penny’s alot, but all three places are good.
🙂
Yes..Penny is good. I also visited Berlington coat factory..dont know if you are aware of it.
Macys had real good collection..but expensive though.
i liked the way you narrated this age old story of the generation gap…happens every day, everywhere – expectations does ruin relationships…well stated…just about to respond to your mail
Thanks UL. You are always so generous with your words. 🙂
yeah..you are right..this is a very common story! Received your mail. I am so glad that you are in constant touch. Will talk soon 🙂
Hi amrit!!
Visit my profile 🙂
Something is waiting for you!
Hey…read your golden post!! Congrats on your 50th post! And thank you for that wonderful award. Really appreciate it.
Happiness isn’t all that elusive. I feel its our wants and desires that make it more elusive and difficult to achieve.
Agree Shas. But that how human emotions are! We have needs and desires. And that inevitable create expectations in us. I have heard people saying so many times that I dont have any expectations..I dont keep any expectations. But is it really possible!!
Well potrayed feelings…. Keep up the good work…. 🙂
😦
communication gap….if only they would sit n talk it out…maybe there wont be so much bitterness….
Well…what bewilders me in this case is that they have talked a lot about to it to each other…but yet no one understands each others point of view!!
no-words…..I have seen both these scenarios. You know Amrit, sometime I feel as if we tie our happiness with one thing and it becomes so much difficult for us at some or the other point of time to hold it and to let it go. That is the worst kinda phase.
I can really understand what you saying. It is so true…you cant let that one thing let go….and it really hurts! 😦
BTW…really good to see you back lady! This blog was missing such comments! 🙂