WANT MY SON BACK, JESUS

She was sobbing, uttering loudly ‘ I want my son back, Jesus’, ‘I want my son back !’

It was near the Church located on the Minister’s Road, that I frequent during my morning walk sessions, that I noticed yesterday, one middle-aged woman, crying inconsolably for her lost son.

Normally,  I make it a point to focus, during that time, only on my breath and health – and, not to unnecessarily get perturbed by the trivials such as what the Civic Authorities are supposed to do and the like !  I also tell my wife not to worry, during that time, not to brood over the stray dogs which suffer very badly during winters and their going to sleep, helplessly,  on empty stomach.

But, this was different ! Immediately the parent in me dominated and I could not take my eyes or ears of that wailing woman.

I approached somewhat hesitantly, in half doubt as to how to console her ! I was, somewhat, not sure if it was right for me to intrude into her intimate moments of direct connect with the Almighty. Yet, the pangs in her, found a strong echo in me !

Suddenly it appeared as if the world around has vanished; I could no longer hear the chirping of the birds or hear the noises made by the passing cars or the loud laughter by the Laughing Club Members ! I could only hear the cries of this poor, frail woman !

In a very gentle tone – yet in a loud voice sufficient to grab her attention, I told her : ‘Sister, we have to bow and  accept God’s will as,  one day, each one of us has to leave this world’ !

Feeling comfortable with my addressing her as sister, she held my hands with hers and started weeping even more loudly. I just kept quiet unable to decide what to do or what to say ! A few moments later, she said that her son was not dead.

Feeling relieved that the boy is not dead,  I said, if he is simply lost somewhere,  then it’s not difficult for us to locate him with the help of the Police, some of whom are, I said, good friends of mine !

On hearing this, she looked at me as she would look at a fool; face full of helplessness ! With tears dropping, now looking more composed than earlier – may be, as a result of talking to her ‘bro’ – she narrated  how, within a very short time, her only son had changed from being the most affectionate son to one of the most heartless and indifferent persons towards his parents; how he had completely neglected his own parents; how much he now cherishes the presence of his wife and her parents to the detriment of his parents ! She went on to say, how suddenly the sacrifices by the parents, which were acknowledged by him till just the other day, have come to a nought ! I, then, understood that it’s a case of parents missing their son emotionally !

This, I could not imagine ! I was prepared to console her in the event of death but not for this ! Her words and tears benumbed me – making me speechless ! I have heard of so many atrocities and outrages on parents by children on the TV, newspapers and social media- but, to hear it first hand from the victim was different ! Something too much for me !
I kept on brooding over if the estrangement between grown-up children and parents is inevitable !  Also, are the relations with the parents and parents-in-law mutually exclusive  ?! And, if we, small families, cannot be united, how we can expect harmony in Society !?

As I was about to say something attempting to suggest a solution, which really was no solution at all – but only poor consolation  – one teen-age girl came out of the Church and called, ” Madam  ! Father is, now, ready to talk to you”. And, she left the place, moist-eyed,  without even having another look at me !

She left the place but not me and my thoughts ! The words ‘I want my son back’, ‘I want my son back’ reverberated in me, with the same intensity, for a long time !

Needless to say, I cut short my morning walk and started returning home. On my way back, so many thoughts about existence and death; travails of old age; longing for affection; disappointments – subconsciously feeling happy that it’s not me in that position; realizing how happy we should be with our very affectionate and caring son and daughter-like daughter-in-law and loving, lovely grandchildren !

Let me conclude by telling all our children that parents, in the evenings of their lives, long for emotional companionship above anything and an affectionate and sincere ” how are you, mom or dad” would satisfy them no end ! And, it only takes some ten seconds to say that warmly ! It’s that warmth which keeps them going – much more than the most comfortable accommodation; most healthy and nutritious food or  the best of medicines ! A simple warm smile and a few moments of concern from their children, are what they look forward ! Is it too much to expect from those for whom parents have given their best ?! 
Let us not deprive our elders or parents of such simple desires ! Tomorrow,  the younger generation would do well to note, when they have time to spare, the parents would not be there and, it would be too late !