My mother kept complaining that, I have confined my world to my room,my computer,my mobile,my college,my books,my friends, so on and so forth and not giving enough attention to my family.I either ignored or refuted her argument whenever she asked me, "How much do u know about your house ?"," How much do u care about the happenings in our family ?". she often advised that I must keep some time for the family too.I kept deferring from her opinion, thinking that, I don't deserve those advices, until today evening.
Today evening,when I went down for tea,she handed me the cup and started saying,"Don't run back to your room.U can at least have the tea here...Listen to my words carefully",I thought it was the the same old song and said in a drowsy voice "yeah! but quick please.I have to check my mails."
She almost started the song I guessed,the usual advice,but suddenly halted for a while.It was almost getting dark and the lights were not yet put on.She calmly asked me to switch on the light of our hall.I thought she forgot the topic and went near the switch board and pressed the 1st switch,some light appeared near my gate! 2nd- some light appeared in the veranda, 3rd- don't know where it lit! but Tommy started barking! must have been the bulb of his kennel,meanwhile mom was keenly observing my struggle, then I tried 4Th,5Th .... at last,the 12Th switch gave life to my tube light mind as well as the tube light of our hall. I guiltily looked at my mother.She advised nothing except saying"See how much you know about your house,my son" while she smiled sarcastically and walked back in to kitchen.
I had got my lesson.I then came to know how much I had alienated myself from the happenings of my family,how much fun and how many moments I had missed!
I decided to be part of all the happenings of my family, share a hand in solving all the problems,be updated about even the smallest matter of my family, listen to my brother's stories about his fighting with his class mate,respond to my dad's comments on recession,help my mom in watering her garden and tell her all my matters starting from the boring class of the old professor to the dream girl I saw yesterday night,give tickles to my grandma, play a game of carom with my grandpa, suggest colors to my sister while shopping her dresses,give a pat on our Tommy's back,put some food to fishes in our aquarium,keep those dumped news papers and magazines neatly,check the letter box at the gate,....so on.
I started my practice today itself by knowing all the switches of our house.I can even tell the switch of our store room.Hmmm(scratching my head)! wait, was it the 4Th or the one below it!? let me go and check it once again.
Meanwhile,you check out whether u r paying enough attention towards the feelings,problems and happenings of your family.Because what matters the most for the relations are not the big declarations or promises we make for our people, but the small,simple words of care,encouragement,compassion and consolation we can effortlessly say to them,just like a hug bringing more intimacy than an essay of big friendly words with your friends.I learnt my lesson today and have found the answer as well the solution for mine.
Go,find yours!
