Close your eyes and imagine the future…
Think of a time when your child is small; you hold their hand, teach them how to walk, make sure they don’t fall, prepare food for them, and hold them in your arms at night so they can sleep peacefully.
Now think of several decades later…
Imagine that the same child has now grown up, while you, with white hair, a little bent, and calmer than before, stand next to them. But this time, it is they who hold your hand, watch your steps, prepare food for you, and hold you in their arms so you can sleep peacefully at night…
Next, we will talk about taking care of elderly parents.
Will there come a day when our roles and those of our children will be reversed?
Life, an eternal cycle
Life is a journey where roles are not always fixed. Today, parents are in a position of power and care for their children, but sooner or later, time will change their place. This is the natural cycle of life:
- At first, the child is completely dependent on their parents.
- In youth, they gain independence and self-sufficiency.
- In middle age, they take on the role of a parent themselves.
- And in old age, they may reach a point where they experience the same dependence they had in childhood, albeit in a different form.
A reflection of the future in today’s image
The image before us carries a deeper message than just a simple photo. At the top, we see a man pushing his child in a stroller; an entirely ordinary scene of daily life. But if you look at the reflection in the water, you’ll notice a remarkable change: This time, the father is sitting in a wheelchair, and the child, now grown, is pushing him.
This image reflects an undeniable truth: No one stays in the same role forever.
What does this image remind us of?
- Parents who are strong and independent today may one day need us.
- Love, care, and support are a two-way street that changes our roles at different times in life.
- Children learn from our behavior; if we nurture them with kindness and respect today, they will return the same kindness to us tomorrow.
- The moments we share with our loved ones today will never repeat. Any moment we neglect may one day become a source of regret.
What is our role in this cycle?
As parents, mentors, and individuals involved in the cultural and educational community, we play a very important role in shaping this cycle. It is our responsibility to:
- Teach our children that respect and care for others is a fundamental value.
- Raise the next generation with kindness and understanding so that they will return the same kindness to us in the future.
- Spend more time with our loved ones and never forget to show them affection.
- Be prepared to accept life’s changes and not run from them.
Today’s children, tomorrow’s supporters
Children who are raised with love and care today will return the same love to their parents in the future. However, if today we show indifference and neglect toward our parents, our children will learn the same pattern.
Let’s remember that:
- If we plant the seed of love and respect today, we will have a strong tree of love and support in the future.
- The only thing that doesn’t change with time is love
- Time passes, roles change, but what remains is the love and kindness we have shared with each other.
So, starting today, let’s treat our children, parents, and loved ones with more kindness.
Because one day, this cycle will complete… and at that time, we will see the reflection of our actions today.
