“Friendship is a relationship of mutual affection between people. For many, it is a combination of love, affection, loyalty, and trust.”
Friendship is wonderful, but it demands time and requires sacrifice as one has to put someone other than himself first sometimes. But in exchange one gets an immense amount of support and comfort in nasty times.
Research has shown that people who make good friends felt happier and less stressed. Having a strong group of buddies also increases self-confidence as they provide much-needed support during tough times – loss of a loved one, illness, loneliness, and so on.
A strong friendship shows overall health and happiness even in old age than even family support. In the current scenario, I have observed that old people are left to be by themselves. Hence, if one has built up a strong friendship, he/she can at least share his feelings and emotions with the friend if not with his family.
Nowadays, the young generation cannot find time to even talk to an old person. I do not blame them for the indifference, but it would be reasonable to understand that in these times nobody has even a little time to talk to elders as they are very much engrossed in their busy and tight schedules. Life for them has become a mad race. So it would not be proper to blame them. Howsoever they wish to spend some time with elders; their busy lives will not permit them.
So what should the old persons do.? I suggest a buddy is important for these elders. One who will listen to their problems, give support in times of need–illness, loss of a loved one, be at their side when needed most, and so on. Here, I wish to give a personal and authentic example of the same :
I was a senior government officer. Whilst in service I had several people working under me and a battery of servants available at the beck of my call and to take care of my requirements. Children were young, and they spent their time with me whenever I was at home. Life was going smoothly, and I used to boast about my family- that they were so loving, so affectionate and so much caring. My word used to be the rule, and the children used to sit with me and discuss their problems and issues whenever I was at home. At that stage, I never felt the need for a friend as I used to say to myself, “I don’t need anyone else in my life as my family is my best friend.”
Things started taking a turn as I retired from service. In the beginning, all of it thrilled the family members that I will now stay with them full time. Things went on smoothly for some time, and I enjoyed my retired life to the fullest. However, after some time they became busy with their schedules and could not find time even to sit and talk with me. I do not blame anybody as nowadays all are busy with their daily routines and finding time in these times is very difficult. I felt frustrated as I could not share my problems with even my wife, who too remained busy with household chores and with children. I had all the luxuries but soon started to feel neglected, lonely, and sometimes depressed as I could not talk to anyone and my position was like this.
And that was when he re-entered my life. I am grateful to Almighty that I came to know that he too had shifted to the place where I was living. He too had retired and was sailing in the same boat. I called him up and after a lot of friendly complaints and counter complaints; we decided to meet.
We met and talked at length about our situations. Both of us then met regularly. We planned to live our lives, whatever was left with us, to the fullest and do whatever we could not do in our busy schedules whilst in our younger days - go out for a drink, hear loud music, go for long drives, dance in rain, and so on. The list was endless, but we fulfilled our forgotten dreams. I am reminded of the following :
In short, we had a wonderful time, as we used to do in our childhood and I used to forget my problems in his company. Whenever any problem arose he was there to console me and tried to find a solution to it, and I was there for him in his time of need. I am reminded of the beautiful quote which describes our position :
“There’s
not a word yet for old friends who’ve just met.”
–Jim Henson
Then one day I had a heart attack early in the morning and the first person, whom I called up was this friend. He did not think for a moment and immediately rushed to my place. He helped my disturbed family in making arrangements for me to be taken to the hospital. I cannot explain in words the relief that I got when I saw him at my place. He was always at my side until I got well and came back home. He did all that was possible to divert my attention from the illness and made me comfortable. I owe my life to him.
That is when I understood that one should have at least one good friend who can be your buddy and be at your side in times of grief.
I would sincerely request you all to think over it and have a good buddy.
Pics courtesy Google, alarmy stock
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