Alas, not so for them. It was wishful thinking as it turned out. Their son sold the family home and bought a new condo, sending his parents to live with his sister. It didn't last. The daughter changed all the door locks and forbade her parents to see her children. The old couple found themselves out on the street, without shelter, without a home. Such ingratitude.
It calls to mind Shakespeare's King Lear who gave his kingdom to his two older daughters who then turned him out into the storm. The ingratitude of his two daughters drove him into madness.
I'm sure the old couple in Singapore are heart broken to find out how callous their children whom they have nurtured and educated, are. This is the sickness that has come to stay, in modern society. It's always self before others, even before your own parents. It goes against the grain, so to speak but modern lifestyles have no place for elderly parents, especially if they are infirm.
My younger friend has told me that parents should never part with their money or property until they are dead. That way, your children would not ill-treat you nor ignore you because they are aware that only after your death will they be able to lay hands on your money and property. That's why a will is very important, and wills can be changed at any time. It's a cynical way of looking at life but it carries truth as has been borne out by the many cases of abandoned parents. She even advised that we should always make sure we have enough money to survive in our old age as we cannot hope for our off-spring to look after us. They have their own committments and priorities and it is a painful fact that elderly parents are no longer on the priority list for many young people today.
No comments:
Post a Comment