ENJOY READING
PLEASE SHARE YOUR VIEWS...
LOTS OF LOVE TO ALL WHO NOT ONLY SUPPORTED BUT HELPED ME....
THANK U SO MUCH GUYS
HERE'S THE NEXT CHAPTER...
_____________________________________________________________________________
"The sixth age shifts
Into the lean and slippered pantaloon,
With spectacles on nose, and pouch on side;
His youthful hose, well saved, a world too wide
For his shrunk shank; and his big manly voice,
Turning again toward childish treble, pipes
And whistles in his sound"
OLD AGE : OLD AGE REFERS TO AGES NEARING THE LIFE EXPECTANCY OF HUMAN BEING. IT IS THE LATER PART OF LIFE AFTER YOUTH AND MIDDLE AGE. THOUGH THERE IS NO SPECIFIC AGE OF ITS ONSET, GENERALLY THE AGE AFTER AND AROUND SIXTIES IS REFERRED TO AS OLD AGE. OLD PEOPLE OFTEN HAVE LIMITED REGENERATIVE ABILITIES AND ARE MORE SUSCEPITBLE TO DISEASE , SYNDROMES AND SICKNESS THAN YOUNGER ADULTS.
THE ELDERLY ALSO FACE SOCIAL ISSUES AROUND RETIREMENT , LONELINESS AND AGEISM. THE PESON BECOMES SHELL OF HIS FORMER SELF â PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY. HE SOMEWHAT LOSES HIS FIRMNESS AND ASSERTIVENESSAND SHRINKS IN STATURE AND PERSONALITY.
An old couple sat in their garden, awaiting the arrival of their nephew along with his wife and both daughters. The elderly female really enjoyed having company especially of children but just their luck they themselves were, childless. But the couple didn't mind, they have enough nieces, nephews and their children to love and spoil. The awaited family held a special place in the couples' heart.
The old man was the youngest of four brothers, his second eldest brother died young while serving his country on the borders. His brother left behind a family of five, four kids and his widow. The eldest of four, a boy of sixteen, took it upon himself to stabilize the family. He was the bread winner of the family. The eldest child became like father figure to the rest of his siblings. The second eldest was also a boy, he too stated doing odd jobs like tutoring, working in shops, etc. the boy was good in studies specially numbers. It was their father's dream for all of his kids to get best education and careers. But since he was dead his children especially both his sons wanted at least his dreams to live. Even if they didn't get an ounce of rest, they studied along with their jobs.
It was five years after his death, that things started looking up for the dead brother's family. The eldest boy, then twenty-one had completed his masters and gave a exam for a top position in administrative services. It was a shocking surprise to everyone when they found, he was passed the exam with flying colors.
It was not long after that news that the second eldest boy who was then seventeen declared he has been selected in army and would be leaving soon.
His declaration was a shock to everyone in the family, their mother had protested. She had already lost her husband to the country, she didn't want to lose her child too. Her wounds were still not healed ... they were very much fresh on her soul; and then there was here son who wanted to be in army, just like his father. It's true to say like father, like son.
Despite everyone's protest the child stood the ground and went for his training. Now after so many years all the for kids have kids of their own, some even have grandkids.
The old couple regretted not having helped them. Even when everyone had turned their back to them, they could have helped but they did not. The old man who himself was a new recruit to the Naval force thought better than to aid them. He was very young and newly married. His own wife was expecting. He could provide well for his family but adding 5 more members would simply deprive his own child of a comfort filled life.
He became selfish and paid greatly for his selfishness. His wife gave birth to a stillborn and due to complications in childbirth, his wife became unable to conceive.
Each and every member of the family, who had at one time turned their backs to the fatherless family now not only admired them but also did their bootlicking. After all four of kids were high ranking officials. They sure earned name for themselves and their hard work was paid for.
The second eldest boy was the one they were waiting on. He too had lost two of his sons but loved both his daughters dearly.
A blow of horn was heard before a blur of blue passed the old male and tackled the old female. The blur which was actually the teenage daughter of the nephew brought her grandmother in a bear hug engulfing her tiny frame. The old female was of average height but old age had surely done a number on her. She had shrunk in height, her face that was smooth as silk once, was now full of wrinkles. Her eyes that were once as lively as a twinkling star now were dull, a sigh of loneliness.
As she realized who was hugging her, a new shine was reflected in her eyes. Love was flooding through them.
"Gran ma!!! I missed you so much" exclaimed the child as she looked at her grandmother while still hugging her.
"Oh my, you sure have grown child. And I missed you too." Said the old woman while hugging the grandchild and kissing her cheek.
"What about me , Gran? Didn't you miss me?" said a voice teasingly. It was the elder girl who was in her early twenties. As soon as the teenage heard her sister's voice she moved a bit, to see her sister losing her grip on the old woman, but still not stepping aside completely.
"Of course, I missed you too." The grandmother opened her arm that was earlier hugging the teen and invited the young girl for a hug. Both the girls hugged their grandmother.
"Looks like nobody missed the old grouchy man." Said the old man, his voice that had once been filled with so much authority, now trembled a bit though it still held some authority.
Both girls stepped out of the hug and hugged their grandfather in turns.
"Oh GrandPa! We missed you too" exclaimed the excited teen, to which her elder sister smiled and asked "How are you?"
"OH! I am healthy as a young horse." Boosted the old man to which his wife arched a brow.
"Yes, You sure are." Said the teen in a humble yet sarcastic tone.
"Stop hogging your grandparents, girls" said the mother in a soft yet stern voice. "Uncle, Aunty you both alright?" she asked further to her in laws.
"Oh we are fine. Just a ache here and there. It all comes with age."
"Aunty how's your asthma?"
"It's under control and stop with the worry child. We are both very much fine and alive. We not going anytime soon. " laughed the old woman. "Come on, let all go in."
As the family stayed with the old couple , they enjoyed each and every second of it. It really did feel good to be in company of family.
There was this one moment when they were sitting in area, eating snacks and chatting happily when suddenly, a loud crash was heard. Everyone was startled, and the grandfather let out a string of words mixed with cruses as he struggled to get up.
With his walking stick in his hands he moved towards the area were the crash was heard with his family following a little behind. A steel vase was rolling, the flower it held scattered and the table on which it sat had fallen down. Amidst the mess laid red ball, clearly cause of the whole mess.
Suddenly a boy, around eight came and asked for the ball. The old man who then held the ball in his hands refused. Feeling agitated the boy challenged their grandfather and in that challenging tone asked for the ball.
The old man that never once backed from a challenge looked at the young boy full of determination and after a few second of receiving glares from the boy but not before asking him to be careful while playing.
As soon as the ball was back in his hands, the boy went back on his way. His face showed that he had simply dismissed the old man's words. Not giving them enough importance.
After that incident the family went back to the things they were doing beforehand.
It was not long after that the family took leave.
The old couple watched as the family went back to their homes leaving them to their loneliness. Even if they had each other, the age has made them lonely. Company was always loved but was always a rarity.
BEING OLD IS NOT A DISEASE, SO WHY ARE OLD PEOPLE TREATED LIKE ONE?
LOVE CAN CONQUER THE WORLD, THEY SAY; ALL THAT IS ASKED, IS TO TREASURE IT FOREVER...
______________________________________________________________________________
A/N:
I THANK EVERYONE FOR THEIR SUPPORT...
IT IS BECAUSE OF THIS SUPPORT THAT TOSA IS FARING SO WELL.....
LOVE U ALL ....
AND PLEASE KEEP LOVING THIS STORY....
PLEASE SHARE OF VIEWS WITH ME THEY ARE REALLY LOVED...
XOLO
xxxEvaxx