The Empty Nesters

"Listen to your father who gave you life, 

and do not despise your mother when she is old." - Proverbs 23:22

Mom and Dad

‘Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you." - Deuteronomy 5:16

       The empty nesters are my Dad, 83 yrs old and my Mom, 81. On Sundays, my siblings and I, together with our families, would all gather at our Mom's place for potluck lunch. Sometimes, one of us would treat them out.  Today, I thank the Lord for the privilege to host lunch for them at my place.  We had beef stew, chicken adobo, fried fish and pork embotido. My Mom just loved the embotido (I bought from a Kapampamgan friend, a good cook) and my Dad feasted on the beef stew.  

       I said "privilege" because it was indeed  a great opportunity for me and my children to spend quality and precious time with them.  I know they won't  be here for long and I want them to enjoy their lives as much as they want to.  Dealing with aging parents is one of the most demanding tasks we may encounter.  Mom, who gets a shot of insulin everyday for diabetes, is also having memory lapses.  Dad's hearing loss and emphysema make him grumpy at times. I suppose this is the hardest time of their lives. But you see, this is also the best time to show that I love and care for them.  It is pay back time for me!

     My nest is half-empty now and my grey hair is showing. In a decade or two I would be in the same boat where my Mom and Dad are now.  And when my season comes, I know that I, too, will be feasting on embotido and beef stew for lunch.....with my children's family.