~ Reflections ~

Life, in it's daily momentum, often becomes a series of mechanical actions or 'operational work' that typically occupies the day. This is not a gender specific issue but more a age related outcome.   As a child, we don't care about anything. We are oblivious of activities around and just focus on what we want. As we grow up, we are more aware, and tend to take responsibility. Maybe convention associates taking up responsibilities with growing up, and I guess that's how the change subconsciously happens.   The only gender based change (not applicable to 100% cases but definitely a wide majority) is that a lot of the operational work like groceries, laundry, keeping the house clean, watering the plants etc land in the hands of the female folk, and the more 'serious' things like providing financial stability etc get mapped to men.    I am yet to figure out the reason for this de-facto mapping. I am not sure if these responsibilities landed with the respective g...

One of the biggest side effects of middle age, besides obsessing about health and the fragility of life in general, is the anxiety related to our parents.   I am often left wondering how many more 'good days' I have left with my parents... if one would ever be able to cope without the other (despite their being as different as chalk and cheese !).... I am not a pessimistic to think I haven't had enough....   Oh, I know I am more blessed than most, to have them around me whenever I wish.. for them to be able to experience the joy of grandchildren first hand, instead of video-calls and letters.... to know that I would (hopefully) be around whenever they need me....   But each time I play with my own children, I am left with wonderment ! Maybe we appreciate our parents - their choices and sacrifices - more completely when we don that hat in life. Being on the other side really provides perspective !