There is little difference between an old man and a young child - this is something I've seen often due to my fondness and love for old people. For one, I find both kids and grandparents really cute, but that is besides the point. Children and old people both need love and attention. The child needs love and care to grow just like a sapling needs care to grow. Old people need love to live. The most honest and beautiful relationship is that between a child and his parents. The mother holds the child's hand and makes him take his first steps and strangely the child reciprocates the same gesture when the mother grows old. I suppose the least a child could do for his parents who literally have been responsible for giving him his precious life would be to shower love over them when they need it the most, to care for them, reassure them and ward off their insecurities.
I've spent my entire childhood living with my grandparents and had my share of scoldings and pampering and now that they live away from me, I miss them a lot. I've always feared death of people close to me though I've never given a thought to death as an independent entity. When I met my granny in August last year, I was terrified to see her in a terrible state. She had lost so much weight, literally shrunk and her legs were sticks. She stayed disoriented and sad,not much hopeful. It upset me to see her so fragile. To think of her nearing the end and to accept it was something that seemed like a herculean effort. When I was back home I constantly worried over her and my sleep too was clouted by nightmares, waking me teary eyed. However things changed for the good. On reading a book gifted by a close friend, I learnt to let go and love as holding on only makes things worse. Letting go did not mean parting away, but keeping alive the memories.
So when a month back when my grandpa was hospitalised, I was much calmer. I knew he would fight all odds and come back anyhow, that's how I always remembered him as. When I met him,in the initial days I was reconsidering my judgment as he also seemed fragile and weak, not talking much and having mostly non verbal communications. His expressions during those non verbal conversations were the most remarkable, especially when he liked something his smile widened up and left a spark in his beautiful bluish grey eyes (which my mom complains of none of the siblings to have inherited). Whenever I showed him his favourite song video his eyes would light up. Having spent half a month with him, I saw him in a phase that I had never seen before. Since he is an alzheimer patient, he tends to forget certain things, yet he is quite sharp for his age. He would often ask us about where to go to sleep when he would be sleepy? He looked so innocently lost and adorable. I've always found him cute with his wrinkles and toothless smile but now he looks all the more cuter. I don't remember him showing affection towards me by caressing me but in the past few days, he has been taking my hand and kissing it, caressing me and it would make me so happy. Sometimes he gave us a bit of trouble when he would behave like an obstinate kid refusing to take medicines and go for walks, for which he would be reproved by all. I would quietly witness the scene and observe him. He would be puppy eyed and I would have to curb the urge of reaching out to him and embracing him. In the process I knew and uderstood his strength and realized how easily some of his traits have been passed on to all of us. Now he has recovered completely and much of his recovery was catalysed by my granny whom he missed terribly. She longed to live with him in their own house too. It was amusing to see their love for each other and him fussing over her and now they have happily shifted to their own home,very much content to be with each other. I only wish ample of happiness for them till they live and a peaceful painless death.