Taking Grandmother To The Temple

--by Janupd, posted Oct 11, 2011

As you probably know Nepal a small country full of diverse religions and populations.

As the daughter of a Hindu family there are many aspects of my religion that I have to bear in mind. But, even while keeping such strictures in mind, I want to be ale to live a life of kindness to others.

When I was sixteen my friends and I were going to watch a movie. We sat waiting for the bus but it was very late. While we were waiting another bus came by and a old lady of about seventy got off. She had bags full of her possessions in one hand and a walking stick in the other.

After a few minutes I noticed that she seemed to be looking for something. She approached a shopkeeper for help - but it wasn't forthcoming. So, I went over and asked, "What's the matter grandmother?"

She told me she was searching for the big temple because she had heard they would take her in and care for her for rest of her life.

I was suprised, to say the least. I asked her, "Don't you have your sons and daughters to take care of you?"

"I have no one in the world to look after me," she replied.

I knew I just had to ask my friends to wait for me and I walked with grandmother all the way to the temple.

I asked her about her family. She told she used to have a happy family. She had two daughters and two sons but as she grew older they started to pass her from one to the other and to see her as an unwelcome burden. Eventually they told her to leave. She begged to stay - but no one wanted to hear.

I took her hand in mine and held it tight as we walked together. She begged me not to be like the children she bore and raised, who eventually cast her out like an unnecessary utensil.

My heart cried hearing grandmother's story. How can such things happened? Why don't people realise that they too will grow older?

Arriving at the temple I left grandmother at the safe place. Her last word and her blessings very much on my mind. "You showed such kindness to me." she said. "Thank you very much for walking with me; for helping me reach the temple. God will bless you in every step of your life."

She kept her blessing hands on my head and I felt God was talking to me. I waved her bye-bye and I went back to my friends. We watched the films and returned to home.

The first thing I did when I arrived was hug my mom and dad and promise myself, 'I will always be with you, to love and care for you.'

A life of kindness can be inspired by the most unexpected things. Thank you, grandmother, for your blessings and making a real difference in my life.

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Posted by Janupd
Oct 11, 2011
Comments (15)

Readers Comments

harjie wrote: Your words brought tears to my eyes and i had to take a moment to take the entirety of the story in. I am so dearly saddened when i hear of such elder parents being abandoned by their own children.

My well wishes to grandmother, and to all those that are left to suffer by their own families. I am so dearly sorry, and promise you that i will never ever become one of those daughters.

HappyDae wrote: Such a beautiful act of kindness. Your story so touched my heart. Thank you for sharing. Love and peace, happydae

luv4all wrote: I am so proud that at teenage you had such a wonderful kind attitude and thought process.

I am sure you got blessed in many deserving ways and you got life's tough and important lessons in a few moments.

God bless you and family.

wooka85257 wrote: What a blessing you did for her, and she, in kind, blessed you. And in blessing you, blessed your parents, for they are the true beneficiaries of the kindness you showed the grandmother, for you realized how vulnerable the elderly are at the end of their lives. And you gave your word to your parents that they would not be discarded or forgotten. What a lovely story.

sethi wrote: Thank you for who you were. God bless.

E wrote: What a great story. It made me glad to read it.

Joy wrote: What a beautiful act of kindness. Many blessings to you. Thank you so much for sharing.

Abhay Kumar wrote: Thanks for sharing the story. It was really heart touching one.

Paul wrote: That is such a beautiful story! Thank you for sharing!

susha philips wrote: Small acts of kindness will surely be a blessing god bless you

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