Am sure, all of us squarely admire, our dear parents, who have worked hard, in helping us, make good careers for ourselves. We of course, owe it all, to their muntiring efforts, of raising us with unlimited and unconditional love and affection, and an apt guidance, always, for all those years. Now, that we are at an age and stage of life where we can take ample care of ourselves and our respective families, we, attempt to take care of them and ensure (what they ensured for us)…. “happiness always”.
Our aging parents, who are our beautiful ‘senior citizens’ face, can face, a number of challenges, from loneliness to failing health. Some of them, in the colony, are living alone (their children of course, try and take care of them, irrespective of their place of residence). Volunteering for seniors, is a great way to thank them, for their years of service and to help brighten their day. There are plenty of ways, one can make them feel special, but when it comes to gifts for parents and grandparents “sentimentality” still plays a role. If we can come up with something that will make their lives easier, healthier, or more fun, we definitely can bring a smile to their faces.
Thus, in an endeavor to bring some cheer, joy and a huge ‘SMILE’ on the, beautiful faces of our very own ‘senior citizens’, NFC RWA (Ashoka Park) decided to visit them (for the second year) to wish them a ‘Happy Diwali’, by presenting them with a ‘hamper of some home made goodies’, from the kitchens of the members of the Managing Committee, of the NFC RWA, keeping in mind, the health of our seniors.
The senior citizens, we visited were 75+ years of age and who stayed alone (considering that their children were resident abroad or in another city etc.). The idea was, to spend some quality time, with them, considering their loneliness, and that, they may not get a lot of visitors. In fact, the feeling, that we experienced, is not one, that can be expressed, in words. Our hearts were filled with gratitude when the seniors, just welcomed us with ‘wide open arms’ and said, that their happiness, knew no bounds, by being meted with such special treatment !! Some of them said that “….they waited for our call and were looking forward to the visit….”. I personally, was part of the RWA Team, for this assignment. This was an absolute VOW MOMENT for me. Some of them, have made me promise, to pay a visit to them again, over ‘sumptuous lunch’, and that too, with the liberty to, tag my friends along !!! What more !!
Some seniors, also asked us to help them, with installing various apps, on their respective mobile phones, while others were desirous, of being taught, how to use the internet and play games on their mobiles (vow !!), some wanted help with saving numbers of electricians, plumbers and also our numbers, so that they could reach, out to us, as and when needed. A few others, requested for help, with sending emails to their friends and family, check the news, use social media and avoid scams and viruses. Over all, it was a truly, enriching experience, with the added feeling, of being loved, so so dearly by our seniors.
