The difficult part of this COVID-19 is not just about isolation in our homes since mid-March, the most difficult part is the fact that many of us are missing our children and grandchildren settled in other cities and countries.
Quite a few of us have our kids abroad for studies or work; many have grandkids too. It’s so unfortunate that we are not able to meet them, as it is certainly dangerous for us 50+ generation to travel.
MISSING FAMILY
My Granddaughter, Simar was born in Feb. 2020 in Seattle, USA. Our plan was to go there by June and be with the young family for some time, we wanted to help them out, we wanted to watch our first grandchild grow and we were looking forward to enjoying some family bonding. And then this whole Corona story started unfolding.
At that time, jokingly I said,” Hope this whole Corona thing goes away soon, otherwise Simar might come walking to greet us at the airport!” Looks like my words were prophetic.
Simar is nine months old now and there is no hope of our meeting our little princess even in the next 2-3 months.
HOW TO REMAIN INVOLVED?
Yes, my son and his wife do ensure that we get to see Simar’s pictures regularly, we video chat every single day, we see her playing with her toys, we are fully involved, all this virtual interaction is great friends but we are dying to hold her, touch her, hug her, cuddle her up, feel her baby-soft body, snuggle up to her.
HOW WE CHANGE?
Earlier, whenever we would see our friends doting on their grandkids, altering their own plans to babysit them, pandering to their whims, I would say,” Hey, carry out your own programs, don’t become slaves again!” and our friends would retort,” wait till you get your own.”Friends, now I realize what they meant.
JUST WHEN I THOUGHT I WAS TOO OLD TO LOVE AGAIN, I BECAME A GRANDPARENT!
HOPE IS THE KEY
Diwali has gone, December is around the corner, this is the time for our migratory birds to come back to the nest, but this year, we empty nesters are keeping our fingers crossed, keeping the nest warm none the less!
“GIVE THE ONES YOU LOVE WINGS TO FLY, ROOTS TO COME BACK AND REASONS TO STAY.” I find this Dalai Lama quote so apt.
Just praying for everyone’s safety wherever they are,
and, waiting eagerly for good times to come,
Renuka.