We have an old age home located approx. 3 km from my residence and I often visit them.
Yesterday I was cleaning my house and found some old pillows, bed sheets and mattress, which I felt will be useful for the old age home. My maid was looking at me when I was putting all the things in my car with great effort but did not ask any question. I took Ajay along with me and reached to Asha Jeevan.I went inside and asked for help. The organizers Kalpana and Sujata were talking to an old lady who was not able to speak but understood everything. She had thrown a piece of chocolate on the floor which I could see but others were busy in their talk. I was not able to understand anything as they were talking in Kannada. After a while one maid came and gave a box of sweets to Kalpana and she took out a burfi from the box and offered the same to the old lady. Her eyes were wet and she took the piece happily and started eating. Then maid helped the old lady to get up from the seat but she looked at the maid angrily to say that 'she can get up herself'! Maid left her hand and let her walk alone. After taking few steps the old lady stopped and we all were wondering "what is the problem now?" I couldn’t understand anything but Kalpana could see the old lady's diaper coming out of her legs. She advised the maid to put the diaper back and take the lady in her room. I left the things there with the help of a maid and came back.
On the way I was completely quite and thinking. No money can buy the care Kalpana and Sujata provides in that old age home. The old lady had thrown the chocolate because she didn't like that and took the burfi very nicely. Organizers and maids of the old age home spends the entire time with these old people, doing all the chores as we do our daily cleaning or cooking. They don’t feel any burden and understands the feeling of these old people. I visited them many times earlier and every time I bring a memory with me which makes me even stronger.
We don't have time to spend with these old people but at least we can visit them occasionally and distribute some of need. I love talking to old people but visiting old age home makes me depressed sometimes. My younger son Ajay is also very sensitive and doesn’t like visiting these places with me. But Manas is sensible and talks to people as if they are his friends. He went with his school friends and chanted some Bhajans once in this old age home which was a memorable experience.
I personally feel that everybody should be connected to one of such kind of organizations - old age home, children care home or physically impaired people home. This teaches lesson and gives a feeling of contentment :)
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I have been to a blind girl's school in Ahmedabad once. This was after my mother's death and my father wanted to give away her clothes and money to this school. I had gone with my father and his friend carrying a lot of my mother's things to distribute. They showed us around, the enterprise and the sad stories of these girls. It was very moving and very depressing too. I came home and could not seem to forget their faces. The people are looking after them well but their stories haunt you. I have never had the guts to visit any other place since then.
I can understand as I have seen Ajay going through the same sentiments. But there is nothing wrong. May be you are too sensitive to visit these places and it stays with you for long. You can choose to help online or through any other person :) It makes you feel worthy.
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