Just a little while back, when my family was at the columbarium paying respects, I remember thinking about how little I knew about my great-grandparents. I mean, the few pictures of them hardly say much, and the stories my grandad relates about them concern only the most memorable events (from my grandad's perspective) in their lives.
How were they, as people? Were they loving? Did they quarrel much? What were their passions, their hobbies, their dreams and aspirations? Could they sing, swim, dance, cook, write?
And then a far more disturbing thought occurred to me - my own great-grandchildren will probably know just as much about me. Just as I hardly can imagine how my forefathers were, what type of lives they've led, the romances, the joys, the sorrows, the milestones they have had, my own life story will probably be as transparent to my descendants.
It's really quite unsettling when you ponder upon the issue. You will hopefully have a close relationship with your children, and if you're lucky, you'll also luxuriate in getting to know your grand-children well and share your lives together. Of course, vice-versa. Most, however, are simply not so lucky.
Perhaps it is the way we are all so caught up in our daily lives that we hardly have enough time and effort to get to know our elders better. Generation gaps exacerbate the problem, making it that much harder for one generation to find the other relevant.
I've tried cracking my brains for ways to improve the situation, but my pessimistic melancholy today yields but one viable course of action - appreciate and strengthen the bonds you have with your immediate family, now. There's not enough time in today's world to grow as close to the rest of your extended family, so make the best of it, and at least be able to say that you indeed are close to your parents and siblings.
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