A devastating piece of news today, there was a case of 195 senior citizens were abandoned by their family after receiving treatment from the hospital. The number decreased from 200+ (source: The Star online)
Following by this case, there are few articles written to analyze what are the reasons behind this act. The first statement of that article was “Change in society’s values is among the reason why children abandon their parents today” I once read this story when I was young. It tells a story of parents raised their children until they had children. One day, the old parents were put into big basket and sent away by their children. The old parents said nothing but inside their hearts were bleeding. When the grandchildren told that they will do the same when the parents got old. Only then the parents realized that what they did was unfilial and the vicious cycle would tend to repeat, they took back the old parents. That was the story, vaguely remembered about the whole story but moral of the story, “if you abandon your parents, YOU will be abandoned by your children”
Society’s value change? Yes, but it doesn’t have to result in abandonment. Who are the ones raising us when we were young? “Young people need to work to make ends meet”? Didn’t that apply to the society back in the past? Back in the past, most Chinese families have more children than they could afford. My grandparents have seven children and my late grandfather was a lorry driver. Thus, I couldn’t fathom what are the differences of “make ends meet”. Perhaps be less self-centered, don’t satisfy your wants. Satisfy your needs instead. That way, you’ll definitely be able to make it through. Even if just barely, it will turn out alright.
“Make ends meet” is just an excuse of running away from your responsibility as a son or daughter. Nevertheless, there is indisputable factor as children’s hatred towards their parents (abusive, lack of morality etc). But end of the day, parents are still parents. “Without them, we won’t be here” We have to remember, previous mistakes whom one person commits doesn’t mean that that person would do again. You change, I change. People changes as life goes on.
Parents are part of us, no matter what we did to them, end of the day they will still forgive us. Family is the only entity that won’t betray us, provides sanctuary for us, supports us. Until the time comes when you realize that the hurtful memories that you gave them, it may be too late to compensate and the regret will stay with you forever till you die.
Therefore, before you abandon your parents, think: one day, YOU will become old too.
HT's Blog 
