It was heartbreaking. The video shows an old man celebrating Christmas alone. It was always this way. Children would promise to come home but as Christmas nears, they’d beg off for one reason or another. And they would promise again for the next year.
The old man sorely misses them.
Fast forward. The video shows the children receiving sad news that their father is dead. All of them come home. After the funeral, they go to their old house. Once inside, they look teary-eyed at the place where they all grew up.
Then from the kitchen, their father comes out. Everyone gasps! And the father can only say, “This is the only way I can make all of you come home.”
So we come together when there’s a death in the family. Why not return when our loved ones, especially our parents, are still alive and can still smile seeing us all?
The video hit me hard, too.
It’s been quite a while since I visited my mother. I had one recurring explanation: I have work, need to find time, no one can mind the house and take care of my dogs and puppies , etc.
But when I would be told she’s in the hospital, I hit the panic button and rush over. Again, why not be with her when she’s well and at home?
Now in my prime with my children grown up, I am starting to think about what it would be like five to ten years from now. Would my children see me as often as I’d like them to? Now I know how my mother could be feeling today.
Friends are concerned that I will grow old alone. If my children are so busy even to see me, then that’s sad. I would be feeling lonely.
They tell me that I can still remarry so I will have someone to greet me when I get home and someone to talk about my day with.
Well, I can be alone but not lonely. With due respect to my friends, I think a new spouse is not the solution. I know I raised loving children whom I can call anytime and who will continue to text me to ask how my day went. I could be in an empty room but still know I can still feel their love for me.
I know they will honor me until God asks me to see Him face to face. I believe that is a universal desire of all parents. I have reminded my children all this time of God’s word in the book of Sirach:
“In word and deed honor your father, that all blessings may come to you.” (Sirach 3:8)
“Father” equates to parents. God has put parents over children and that alone commands respect. God entrusted children to parents because He trusts them to do a good job raising them.
Though not all parents have lived up to that expectation, the blessings will be on us if we still honor them.
God’s promise can only be true: “In word and deed honor your father, that all blessings may come to you. Those who honor their father will have joy in their own children, when they pray they are heard. Those who respect their father will live a long life…” (Sirach 3:5-6)
And so like all other parents, I keep the hope in my heart that no matter the distance and no matter where I end up, my children will make time to see me. Not find time because you can’t really find time. It just runs. But we all can MAKE time. This means we make a choice and get a handle over use of our time.
If we really want to make time for our parents, we will. Love conquers all, remember.
The old man in the video was very happy to see his children. Never mind if he had to go to the extent of pretending that he was dead. Never mind if it took a long time to get them to visit. His joy is what is now.
The love for parents should never diminish in time. Instead of dividing our love for us, better to multiply it as we need to be loved more when we find ourselves home alone.
I don’t want to recourse to death notices. My children just need to come. Any time and whatever I will be. Happy not sad. Joyful not forced. Thankful not bitter.
This Christmas season, go back to your roots. Remember where love was rooted in your family. Someone may be home alone. Come home.
Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of management and owner of Cebudailynews. We reserve the right to exclude comments that we deem to be inconsistent with our editorial standards.
