This was narrated by an IAF pilot to IIT students during a Seminar
on Human Relations:

> Venkatesh Balasubramaniam describes how his gesture
of booking an air ticket for his father, father's maiden flight,
brought forth a rush of emotions and brought the realisation
that how much we all take for granted when it comes to our
parents.

> My parents left for our native place on Thursday and we went
to the airport to see them off. In fact, my father had never traveled
by air before, so I just took this opportunity to make him
experience the same.

> In spite of being asked to book tickets by train, I got them
tickets on Jet Airways. The moment I handed over the tickets
to him, he was surprised to see that I had booked them by air.
The excitement was very apparent on his face, waiting for the
time of travel. Just like a school boy, he was preparing himself
on that day and we all went to the airport, right from using the
trolley for his luggage, the baggage check-in and asking for a
window seat and waiting restlessly for the security check-in to
happen. He was thoroughly enjoying himself and I too, was
overcome with joy watching him experience all these things.

> As they were about to go in for the security check-in,
he walked up to me with tears in his eyes and thanked me.
He became very emotional and it was not as if I had done
something great but the fact that this meant a great deal to him.

> When he said thanks, I told him there was no need to thank me.
But later, thinking about the entire incident, I looked back at my life.
As a child, how many dreams our parents have made come true.
Without understanding the financial situation, we ask for cricket
bats, dresses, toys, outings, etc. Irrespective of their affordability,
they have catered to all our needs. Did we ever think about the
sacrifices they had to make to accommodate many of our wishes?
Did we ever say thanks for all that they have done for us?
Same way, today when it comes to our children, we always think
that we should put them in a good school.
Regardless of the amount of donation, we will ensure that we will
have to give the child the best, theme parks, toys, etc. But we
tend to forget that our parents have sacrificed a lot for our sake
to see us happy, so it is our responsibility to ensure that their
dreams are realized and what they failed to see when they were
young. It is our responsibility to ensure that they experience all
those and their life is complete.
Many times, when my parents had asked me some questions, I
have actually answered back without patience. When my own
daughter asks me something, I have been very polite in
answering. Now I realize how they would have felt at those
moments.

> Let us realize that old age is a second childhood and just as
we take care of our children, the same attention and same care
needs to be given to our parents and elders. Rather than my
dad saying thank you to me, I would want to say sorry for
making him wait so long for this small dream. I do realize
how much he has sacrificed for my sake and I will do
my best to give the best possible attention to all their wishes.

> Just because they are old does not mean that they will have
to give up everything and keep sacrificing for their
grandchildren also. They have wishes, too.

> Take care of your Parents.
THEY BROUGHT US INTO THIS WORLD,
GAVE US ALL THEY HAD AND
MADE US WHAT WE ARE.
THEY ARE PRECIOUS.


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