Story 11 : Just for "ONE MORE BEDROOM" ........... ????

This story came from my uncle and this is for all the people who have built dreams of the so called great US. This is a classic example.

 

As the dream of most parents I had acquired a degree in software Engineer and joined a company based in USA, the land of braves and opportunity. When I arrived in the USA, it was as if a dream had come true. Here at last I was in the place where I want to be. I decided I would be staying in  this country for about Five years in which time I would have earned enough  money to settle down in India.  My father was a government employee and after his retirement, the only  asset   he could acquire was a decent one bedroom flat. I wanted to do some  thing more than him. I started feeling home sick and lonely as the time passed. I used to  call  home and speak to my parents every week using cheap international phone cards. Two years passed, two years of Burgers at Macdonald's and pizzas  and discos and 2 years watching the foreign exchange rate getting happy whenever the Rupee value went down. Finally I decided to get married. Told my parents that I have only 10 days of holidays and everything must  be done within these 10 days. I got my ticket booked in the cheapest  flight.  Was jubilant and was actually enjoying shopping for gifts for all my   friends back home. If  I miss anyone then there will be talks. After reaching home I spent home one week going through all the photographs of girls and as the time was getting shorter I was forced to select one candidate. In-laws told me, to my surprise, that I would have to get married in 2-3 days, as I will not get any more holidays. After the marriage, it was time to return to USA, after giving some money to my parents and telling the neighbors to look after them, we returned to USA. My wife enjoyed this country for about two months and then she started feeling lonely. The frequency of calling India increased to twice in a week some times 3 times a week. Our savings started diminishing. After two more years we started to have kids. 

Two lovely kids, a boy and a girl, were gifted to us by the almighty. Every time I spoke to my parents, they asked me to come to India so that they can see their  grand-children.  Every year I decide to go to India. But part work part monetary conditions prevented it. Years went by and visiting India was a distant dream. Then  suddenly one day I got a message that my parents were seriously sick. I tried but I couldn't get any holidays and thus could not go to India.  The next message I got was my parents were passed away and as there was no one to do the last rites the society members had done whatever they could.  I was depressed. My parents were passed away without seeing their grand children. After couple more years passed away, much to my children's dislike and my wife's joy we returned to India to settle down. I started to look for a suitable property, but to my dismay my savings were short and the property prices had gone up during all these years. I had to  return to the USA. My wife refused to come back with me and my children refused to stay in India. My 2 children and myself returned to USA after promising my wife I would be back for good after two years. Time passed by, my daughter decided to get married to an American and my  son was happy living in USA. I decided that I had enough and wound-up every  thing and returned to India. I had just enough money to buy a decent two  bed  room flat in a well developed locality. Now I am 60 years old and the only time I go out of the flat is for the routine visit to the nearby temple. My faithful wife has also left me and gone to the holy abode. Sometimes I wondered was it worth all this? My father, even after staying in India, had a house to his name and I  too have the same nothing more.

I lost my parents and children for just "ONE EXTRA BEDROOM". Looking out from the window I see a lot of children dancing. This damned cable TV has spoiled our new generation and these children are losing their values and culture because of it. I get occasional cards from my children asking if  I am alright. Well at least they remember me. Now perhaps after I die it will be the neighbors again who will be   performing my last rites.

A Thank You and an Appeal.

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Story 10 : What if you have an in-law who would not understand you ?

Humanity is to understand others and help in the right time. What i learned all the while is that the Humanity can only be Hoped and never can be Demanded. I am married for past 7 years and settled in California, USA. I have a daughter and son and i am a house wife by choice. I do not have any qualms about my husband but my mother-in-law makes my life pathetic. We have our daughter and son in a gap of 1 year and it is very very difficult to bring them up as they are half time with cold, fever and both needs the attention at the same time. My husband is a career oriented person and gave me the responsibility to raise kids. Well, i never have any issues at it.

In the past my mother-in-law had come here 3 times and stayed with us for 4 months in each visit. She has undergone the bypass surgery 10 years back and i understand that i have a responsibility to take care of my in-law. The first time when she came to USA to stay with us, i was very enthusiastically doing everything for her. I used to wake up in the morning 5.00am to do breakfast and i used to cook lunch too by 7.00am. My in-law likes to have everything ready as soon as she comes to the kitchen. She is not a kind of person who would help me in cooking too. She likes being taken care a LOT and PAMPERED to the greatest extent. I did everything she wanted during the first visit. I never complained and i always had thought that it is my basic responsibility. She somehow did not like me talking to my parents and brother and whenever i am on phone she used to call me for something or the other. For this too, i never complained as it is only few months she would stay. 

When I had my first daughter, i had to undergo C-Section and i was very positive that my in-law (she was here that time) would understand and help me a lot. But the things became painful this time. She expected me to take care of her in the same way i used to before. As i used to feed the baby all through the night, i used to sleep till 7.00am in the morning and that was not welcomed. My in-law says, "You don't need that rest. I had 4 kids and i never slept till 7.00am". The initial 2 weeks was kind of hell for me as i could not even walk properly due to stitches but she expects everything from me. She even used to tell my husband that, "I don't know whats happening to this age's women. They are turning too delicate. I never took as much rest as your wife". Certainly, my husband is in mid-way between me and his mother. 

# You don't cook many varieties. Your cooking is too bland. You don't cook nice. 

# My son works so hard. You are just at home and get tired by the end of day. I don't know whats happening to you.

# Cant you make at least 3 varieties for lunch. Is this what your mom taught you ?

# Now a days you are not taking care of me. Just because, i am not saying anything does not mean that you take advantage of me.

# I have taught all (english) letters to my kids by 2 years. You did not teach any thing. What are you doing the whole day.

# Can you come and massage me for 30 minutes (when i myself is having a high fever)

# You should do all things on auspicious days only. Don't you know about this ? But the reality is all the major decisions are taken by my husband and he does not listen to me. So, she rebukes me for my husbands action. (She is not ready to listen to me when i say, i did not take a decision or i was never asked.)

# She sees me that i am struggling with both the kids. For me the challenge is to take care of both the kids at the same time and giving attention. Both are mostly sick due to ear infections, fever, cold or influenzas. But for my in-law, this looks as though i am taking lot of rest and leisure. 

# In-law goes cranky at me that i am not feeding my kids properly and thats the reason kids are lean and sick. Come on, i am a mother and i am the one who is awake all the night when they are sick and am the one who cries. For sure, as a grand mother she will have interest. But excuse me, only after me.

# After going to India, she calls my husband and tells him that i don't care about her and i am not feeding my kids properly. She suggest him that i should do more variety food for my kids so that will eat. 

About are ONLY some of the things my in-law talks about. I would request, please and appeal to all in-laws not to do this to their daughter in-law. A in-law is also a daughter and daughter-in-law, please understand that. In the matter of past 3 years after kids, we never took even a single vacation. The idea is i am not trying to say that i did a great thing, but with this kind of attitude from in-law, you would loose interest in serving them and caring them. Now, i have a "careless" feeling and now i don't care whatever she thinks and whatever she does. I just see her as a old women whom i am serving with humanity. I do not have any love and i don't care what she does. I have taken this for 5 years and this is enough for me. 

Do you think i could have done better ? 

Story 9 : Old Age and Kids Abroad.

This article is contributed by one of the reader. This makes everyone to rethink what we do. 

If you are a regular reader of "The Hindu" newspaper, you would not have missed an interesting article titled "HOME ALONE" on the Open Page Section, on the 14th March 2010,and the series of "Letters to the Editor" published ,on the article, in the newspaper, from the 15th March 2010,till date.

The article narrates in graphic detail, how over-ambitious (avaricious?) parents (particularly parents not enjoying good health) left alone in India, with their son(s) /daughter(s) abroad are going through inexpressible agony and misery, with no one to look after them in their twilight years, when they need all the affection, attention and physical care.

The way some of the parents have expressed self-pity, for not having brought up their children, with proper values, makes a sad reading. In most cases, the blame lies with the parents, who want their children to play the :"sedulous ape" (as Jonathan Swift calls it),imitating their neighbours, friends and relatives, regardless of the real interests of the children. After having pushed them into the concrete, urban jungle and rat race  of the western world, for the lure of money, today, the aged parents are spending agonising days in India, with no one to really care for them.

Skype and Google talk no doubt keeps them in touch with their children abroad, but neither Skype can arrange an ambulance and rush them to an hospital when there is a medical emergency, nor Google talk can physically help them and take them to places of worship, music concert, religious discourse etc. Skype can neither prepare and serve the dishes the old parents want to taste nor read out to them daily newspapers, magazines and novels which they cannot read, due to poor eyesight.

The number of well-to-do senior citizens, who are getting into Old Age Homes in Chennai, has shown an alarming increase  in the last two years and the stories I heard from some of  them, when I interacted with them, as part of the " Reaching Out" service of some of the NGOs in Chennai, were tear-inviting. Some of them wept uncontrollably, narrating how ungrateful their children have become and how mercenary their entire attitude has changed, after they went abroad.

It is pathetic to see senior citizens, well-educated and who have retired from senior positions in Govt., or private company service, longing for someone to come and talk to them. Loneliness in old age is very painful and when I go and spend some time with them, just listening to their past life, my heart weeps for them. Many of these senior citizens are unable or unwilling to go and live with their children abroad due to cultural shock, climate changes, boredom of being locked up in the house all day, lack of company, discernible neglect by the children, their spouses and grand children, their way of life and other reasons. They have, therefore, no other alternative, but to spend their last few years, in solitude and soliloquy.

What a tragedy for the parents, who have given their best to their children!  One of the senior citizens (an old lady of 72 years) narrated to me, with tears in his eyes, how their only son on USA could not even come to India to perform the last rites of his father (the husband of the lady who narrated the incident),because his employers refused to grant him leave and told him that if he goes to India, he need not come back to his job. The lady said that she told his son not to come and the last rites were performed by the younger brother of her husband. That painful memory  is still haunting her. Her moist eyes keep haunting me.

The Temple Etiquette : Is it too hard to know ?

Recently we were in Livermore Temple after a 5 months duration. The serenity and sanctity of a temple attracts us more than anything else. We go to temple  spend an hour or so in meditation or prayer and we feel relaxed and calm. Now, this has became a debatable topic and i ask my self, "Do temples these days give you that calmness and tranquility ?". Its not the issue in only US or in India... but is a common problem everywhere.

In this post, i would like to request everyone to pay attention to the basic issues (related to common sense) when you visit a temple. 

Clothing/Dress sense

In the year 2010 we may not expect people to wear the traditional Saree (for Women) and Dhoti (for Men). But it is a great idea to cover most of the body. Women wearing modern cloths (skimpy) which reveal a lot seems to be a fashion but i quite not understand why to a TEMPLE ?. There are some, who argue that you came to Temple and you should have concentration to pray but the issue is we do not want to have distractions either. We want to preserve the Temple atmosphere by helping others. At least none of us have become a Saint, Saadhu or Rushi yet to over come some distractions. Unfortunately some people wear cloths which makes you think that they are on a run from a local pub. 

Of course this also applies to Men who wear night dress or sports wear to Temple thinking that it is fashion. Some even want to advocate their modern thinking by saying that "You should have Bhakthi in your mind and cloths does not matter". We look at them and say "poor souls".

Phones 

Everyone is busy in life. Everyone has some or the other work in life. This does not mean that you keep on talking over the phone even when you are in a Temple. Yes, one can understand the "real urgent" issues but it seems to be incomprehensible to see people talk pleasurably over the phone as though Temple is the "public telephone booth". 

Be considerate that other visitors/devotees are getting disturbed by your long conversations.

Smart Phones

The proliferation of the smart phones made it possible for people to do real time updates and see other updates too. There seems to be an ever increasing "seductive act" of smart phone that people spend more time on the smart phone than with their Wife or Kids. Games, Social Networking, Office Mail, Personal Mail and News seems to be irresistible. People don't mind if something is relevant for them or not but they just want to follow it if "other" people do it.

The act of working on a smart phone is absolutely addictive but not in a Temple. Not when you are standing in the Line/Queue to visit god and then suddenly you hear a Facebook update. While there is no real law or rule that is written that avoid such kinds of acts but one should "at least consider the fact that they are in Temple". 

Social Networking

Temples have always been the place for people to meet and start an acquaintance. But the modern day temples are not really so huge that people can talk out side and come into the temples. People start talking or networking when they are walking around the temple (pradikshina) or they are in a Queue. You see people talking about the Java NullPointerException in their last deployment and how they got screamed by the Boss.

Yes, social networking is very important but please be considerate about your Temple surroundings.

Do you have any other concerns and do you feel this way too ?

Unfortunate fate of Trust, Faith and Belief...

In daily life most of us unconsciously follow through the Trust, Faith, Belief and ones own Feelings (instincts) in whatever we do. It is often very sad that the same person fails to TRUST his own people at home/family. We unconsciously trust, believe and have faith in the ones at Work Place, Religion, Politics, Social Causes, etc... Sometimes we trust people that we don't know simply based on the qualification or the experience attached to them. But still... we don't want to (or cant) trust our own family members. Very carefully read through the  following stories.

#1 You got a nice car. After it ran for 15,000 miles, you give it to a Car Service shop. It will take one day to get the car back and you get a bill of $350 with a huge inventory that the service guy replaced. You are so happy that you got your car serviced, you pay the bill and drive home thinking that the "Car is in Great Condition now". 

#2 You want to watch the movie Avatar (as an example). You are in two minds to go to it or not and your spouse is asking for it. Your colleague at office or friend tells you that its a great movie. You immediately "DECIDE" to go to the movie. You go home and tell your spouse that "My friend told me its a great movie. Lets go."

#3 You would take a very comfortable ride in the car that your friend is driving without any issue. You wont complain and you wont get tensed. If your wife is driving then all the negative thoughts fill your brain and you start chocking.

#4 You are driving in a single lane divided only by the yellow bar and you see the opposite traffic too. The only thing that's between your car (you) and other car (some stranger)  is the thick yellow lane. You drive so confidently on this road that nothing would happen. (Because you trust - 99% - that the other stranger would not come into your lane and crash on to you). 

#5 You would go to a electronic shop to buy a nice 42" LCD TV. You are unsure what to buy there and a sales guy with all his pep talk impresses you to take a decision on Sony Bravia ABC Model which costs $1500. You wife was suggesting another model in Samsung that costs $1100 and has more features than Sony has. But you want to buy because you were convinced by the sales guy (and not because you love Sony). 

#6 You go to a religious GURU and you would follow whatever he/she says. You would not even think for a moment if that "thing" makes sense. If GURU asks you to go to temple and do 51 rounds around the idol. You would do it with out a question. You would not ask why the number 51 and why this temple. You would JUST do it. 

By now, it would not have taken too much time to understand that many things life are done on "Blind Faith". The abouve are only few stories. One can arbitrarily come up with so many incidents that you trust other person and you feel happy to sit back and relax. You believe that the other person or entity would do a good job.

Of course there are some (small %) people would be so paranoid that they avoid to do anything in life as they cant trust anyone and it seems to be an impossible task for them. The only thing that these people do is what they are good at. They cant work in a team as they cant trust others. Team work is not only in the Corporate world but many people fail to understand that there need to be so much of TEAM work in the family system.

Unfortunately this TRUST, BELIEF and FAITH does not seem to exist in many of the Familys and among Married Partners. Each of the partner would always want to show the intellectual superiority over the others and they would do so by negating the other spouse's views and ideas. Doesn't it sound familiar ? One would blindly accept the other persons (stranger) views and ideas where as he would not believe spouse or family member. What a shame ?

Are you doing a good job of trusting your partner ? If not, it's time to think about it.

Being a good host is an Art!

Note : This post is cross posted from Sanity and Insanity blog on request.

Yes… you heard it right. Being a good host is an aArt. Some people are good at it and some really suck. Not that they don’t know how to be a good host, they just don’t have that Art in them and they don’t seem to understand it.

You go someone’s home as a guest and you feel great about those few hours you spend. You want to spend more time at their home and you feel “like home“. These hosts make you feel great about yourself and gives all the comfort that you need.  There is this other category of people who you want to “avoid“. Even if by chance you go, you feel choked and want to come out of their home as soon as possible. You are there more as a “viewer” and not as a “contributor” and “enjoyer”.  You would go to their home “late” and want to leave their home “early“.

Over the years I have the privilege of being a Guest and Host aswell. When I consciously observe more and more… following are some factors that influence the “perception” of being a good “HOST”.

Invitation/Planning : Of course, this seems to be very simple and straight forward thing to do. Everyone in life is busy (as you are). Allow people to plan their visit to your place and give them enough choices on dates. It is not difficult to do this, if you plan. Calling people on the day of the “Get-to-gather” is a BAD idea (unless they have some idea of the invitation).

Don’t send a simple e-mail and expect people to turn up. It is extremely impolite to invite people by emails (this perhaps is OK when you have a 100s of guests to call). When you are having a private-family gathering, it is nice to call each family and invite. If you are calling 4 families, you are not excused to say that you don’t have (4 * 5 minutes) 20 minutes of time.

Homogeneous Group : As a host you want to take a special precaution and consideration on the nature of people you are inviting. When you celebrate some parties which are typically 2-3 hours, people don’t care what kind of group they are mixing with. But when you call people home to spend an afternoon or evening, they are expecting to talk/discuss/ jokes, etc…

You may want to invite groups where they share much “common” interests and not having “contrast” interests. e.g. some people are “Culturally” inclined, some have strong “Political” views, some talk more about “Kids”, etc…  Considering different interests, you need to make a “sensible” judgment as to see who will blend and who will not.  Few think that “diversity” is good but not to a point where people go into “shells”.

Lively Hosts : You see a smiley face in the morning, you feel great about the day. You see a dull/boring face in the morning, you feel the same. Our moods, enthusiasm and psychology is influenced by the people around us and the company we are.

You can’t have a straight fave and invite people home and expect them to enjoy. Hosts should be lively and friendly to have a great atmosphere. People would not want to be guests at your home and become sad after seeing you. If that’s the case, they would have stayed back as well. Very clearly guests would want to go and meet these (lively) hosts all the time.

Openness : Oh boy, this is so important to understand and implement. Create an environment where everyone if the guests can contribute and share their thoughts. Don’t steal the discussions and jokes. Guests may not say anything at that time but they leave a bad taste on them. e.g. when a guest is talking about “Slum dog millionaire” movie, don’t ridicule by saying that “oh god, don’t even talk about that movie”. In short, don’t interrupt, don’t ridicule and don’t steal the show. Give equal importance to each and everyone.

Some people seem to know “everything” in this word (at least that’s what they think). Dont worry about these people, these are the “real-poor-moron-souls on this earth”.

Cleanliness : Is this even a topic to discuss ??? Who on this world does not know that the house needs to be clean when you invite guests. Sadly, some people dont get it. Really…!

When you invite, it is your responsibility to CLEAR and CLEAN the stuff around. Understand that “CLEAR and CLEAN” both are important. You don’t want your guests to make way into the home thorough all the things lying on th ground. “I don’t have time”, is not excuse. If you don’t have time, dont Invite guests.

Guests can’t tolerate the wet floor, blurry/stained glass in bathroom, stained water tumblers, stained tea/coffee cups and stained bowls and plates. Yes… it is important to CLEAN at least the things that you give to guests.

Food : (mostly in Indian context) Food is the most important part of any invitation of Guests. We love to cook variety of traditional and modern food at home and enjoy with guests. Please do take some precautions when you are cooking.
Don’t Experiment : Your Guests are not guinea pigs. Please do not ever experiment on the day of get-together. You really want the food to be tasty and eatable. If you experiment and you get it wrong, you will give a very bad impression about your self to that guest.
Make it fresh : This may not seem to be a point of discussion. But many high-tech people cook 1/2/3 days before they invite people. They think that, because i eat “the same junk”, my guests will also eat the same. If you can’t cook fresh, please do not invite. It’s not worth to have a bad memory about you.
Remember : You make nine(9) SUPERB dishes and make one(1) “SUCKY” dish; the chances are that people (like me) are going to remember that “SUCKY” dish for the life long. If you know something is wrong, you better don’t serve. It is better to have 5 average food items rather than 3-Superb and 2-Sucky items. You get that… ?

Send Off : You did everything well and screw up in the end is of no use. When your guests are leaving be considerate and thankful to them that they accepted your invitation and made it home. You need to be kind and thankful, even if they aren’t. When they are leaving, please don’t be watching TV and say “Bye” from your couch.

Clearly, one needs to be more conscious about what they do and they don't when they invite Guests. Inviting Guests and being Hosts is Responsibility and Fun too. Dont let your over enthusiasm or over boredom kill your guests. You may not lose your guests forever; but they will hate to come back again.

Be conscious and have a great fun!

Story 7 : If only they had the power to define ones Luck/Fate/Talent

They are very established lawyers in India. They have a great practice and very well known in that city. Wife and Husband are family and criminal lawyer respectively. Husband has a younger brother and Wife has a younger sister. Incidentally, Wife's sister and Husband's brother both are (budding) Lawyers. Husband's-Brother and Wife's Sister live in the same city, both are married and are struggling for a helping hand in career.

Husband and Wife are very understanding, friendly and considerate. Wife for sure is more communicative than Husband and by nature she takes care of many things at home. Husband has agreed and decided to give a helping hand in his brother's career and asked them to stay along in the same house (of course, in a different independent floor). He was giving his expert opinion, attending some case discussions, and spent some personal time to spend for his brother. His brother did start as an independent law-practitioner and stayed that way for few years. There was no growth though they are still surviving. In the mean while, at home the differences between the Wife and co-sister have increased and small issues seemed to be big.

So, at some point of time, the Husband's brother decided to setup a separate family and practice. This means he will be moving to a separate place and start his own law practice. Some how, he could not be as successful as his brother till now. For all the other people (3rd person), it seemed as though the Wife ans Husband did not help this Husband's-Brother and let him lead his life along with disparity and discrimination.

On the other side, Wife's-Sister setup her own Law-Consulting firm and made the Wife and Husband as consulting partners. This Wife's-Sister has more social skills than the Husband's-Brother and she was able to kick start her career with the help of Wife and Husband. In few years, Wife's-Sister is probably as successful as the Wife and Husband. Currently, as i write, the Wife and Husband go regularly for some of the complicated family cases and advise clients in the Wife's-Sister's firm. The brother is still practicing his own, occasionally with the help of Husband (brother).

Sure, this is complicated. For the Husband's father this all looked as though the Wife did not took care of the Husband's brother and she has more interest in her own sister. In-laws started claiming that she (Wife) took more time, liberty, passion in building her sisters career and did not help in the same way to Husband's-Brother.

Now the question is, "What should one do when Wife's-Sistser is more sociable, communicative and does rights things for her career than Husband's-Brother. Whose mistake is that ?".

Story 6 : Why does my marriage life gets afftected, if i dont get a Job ?

Another Story goes here...

I am in my late twenties and have been married for almost 5 yrs now. My married life has been great with no big issues till now, but on the other side my professional life is really down. I was working as a junior software engineer before marriage, but had to leave my job after marriage as we were moving to US. After coming to US, I was trying to get the working Visa but had no luck for 4yrs, somehow I was able to get thru all the H1 process and now I have a valid Visa but the Job market is really bad out there for my skills.

We did have to shed few hundreds of dollars for my H1 visa for all the lawyers fees and processing, but finally got the Visa. We also have been postponing having a baby as we feel we have to be settled in life first to have a baby. Now all the problems are starting from all the sides in my family and I am really getting frustrated. The main concern being my In-Laws, all this while I was thinking they love me and think me a part of their family but I realized I was wrong. From last couple of months I have been noticing my in-laws always talking about the amount of money we spent for my visa and training, and asking my husband directly “what is she doing now?  Is she preparing for the interviews? Is she making use of all the effort u that went in getting the visa processing and training or is it all for no good use?”  I know and understand they must be concern but then I feel there should be limit to the number of times they ask. Every time we talk to them the first thing they ask is about the money spent. I am more frustrated to answer their question about our baby. They started telling my husband that I may have some gynecological problem that I am not conceiving. My husband on the other side is a mamma’s boy and started asking me the same which actually made me cry. My mother-in-law started to compare me to my sister-in-laws (who are not working but have children), saying when they are able to manage why cant I and why do I keep spending money without any income.

I am not able to understand what I am supposed to do. How do I explain to my husband that we are quite not ready for the baby and I am trying my level best to get into a job? My husband stopped talking to me as before. Now a days the moment he comes from office the first thing he asks me is if I had any calls and what did I read, then he goes to gym, talks to his parents and is back to work again. He hardly spends time at dinner table and goes to sleep. I feel so helpless and lost here. I am not able to talk to my parents openly as they are far off and will definitely get worried, nor am I able to talk to my in-laws as they are not ready to listen to my plight.

Story 5 : What if we are not super rich ? Should we be always compared.

Another Story goes here... 

I am here to share with you all my problems and get some strength. I am married for 4 yrs now and a mother for a beautiful daughter. My husband is the only son and his mother passed away long before we got married. My father-in-law stays with us. My husband is not too successful professionally till now due to which he is looked down by his own father. My husbands’ earnings are pretty low and we are maintaining a middle class profile. Coming to my self, I was a regular student at college and never grew up to do a job, for which I guess I am actually paying off now.

After our marriage my Father-in-Law was kind of monitoring the way we spend the money and was giving us too many suggestions as to how to save. One thing I always used to wonder was the comparison done between my husband the rest of his cousins who are in pretty good condition. Initially I used to think as he is the elder one of the family we should respect his advice and never was against him. In fact we also had to cancel our honey moon due to him, but I was completely ok with it. As days passed by he started indirectly asking me to go for a job and earn money, he started giving me hints as to I should not increase the power bill by watching the TV and using the washing machine to wash clothes and many more things like this. I tolerated enough and one day I told him that as I come from a village background it will take some time for me to get adjusted to this new place and I would definitely like to do a job and help the family. But my Father-in-law took me in the wrong meaning and started complaining to my husband about me. He also used to go to all my relatives’ places and tell that I don’t respect him and don’t listen to him in the house.  This obviously had an effect on my relationship with husband.

Slowly thing started to change when I joined in a small ad agency as a receptionist but not for a long time. Now the new issues started. Some times when there was work in the office I used to come late by an hour or so and immediately my father-in-law would ask me if I had good time with my friends in office chit chatting. I used to feel so frustrated and humiliated by his words. He asks me such questions in front of every one and when we are in some functions. And If I start explaining to him why I was late (just as an example) he would say I am back answering him and don’t even consider his age. My husband on the side supports his father saying he is advising us for our own good. After I started earning my father-in-law keeps a check on what all I buy and how much right from groceries to dresses for my daughter. If I buy a new dress for my daughter because I liked it he would immediately say why did I get it when there is no occasion at all. If I plan for a movie or outing he would say we first need to have a proper bank balance for all enjoyment in life.

I do understand that we are not a very well to do family but does that mean we cannot have small pleasures also in life? I am really getting frustrated and irritated and humiliated in front of all my relatives with my father-in-law’s behavior.

Story 4 : In-law does not understand the situation and so is Husband

Following question was asked by a dear friend...

I am a stay at home mom and have two kids with a gap of 2 yrs. I had C-Sections both the times. I did not gain much weight after my first delivery and was pretty active, healthy and was in perfect shape too. But things changed completely when my baby was 9 months. We realized that I was pregnant again and was both happy and confused about it. After a lot of thinking and analyzing we decided to go ahead with the baby. But it was not as I though it would be. I was surprised to see the reaction from all my in-laws, they were more like cant you guys wait for some time before the second baby. I thought things would change in the due course of time but I waited to see the worst. During the later part of my pregnancy, I was diagnosed with GD and was suggested some rest due to my Blood Pressure. It was becoming really difficult for me to take care of my daughter and my self and do all the cooking.

I was totally frustrated by the attitude of my in-laws towards me. They would always call up my husband and tell them stories of some xyz person in India who managed well with a similar situation like me, but they never were ready to understand my medical condition and the fact that I don’t have any one else to help me here. Listening to their words my husband’s attitude towards me was changing gradually. He started complaining and shouting at me that I should be more active and was putting on more weight than needed. This was too much for me to take in with the entire mood I was during the pregnancy. To add to all this my parents could not get a visa to help me here and we had to ask my in-laws to come over to help me. I was both happy and scared by this. I was happy to know that once they see my condition here they will understand what I am going through in a much better way and scared obviously as they are “IN-LAWS”.  As I expected life became all the more difficult with my in-laws being here. I was suggested bed rest by my gynecologist and my in-laws would think I was simply making up to sleep all day. They wanted to visit all the near by places before my delivery and would say once they baby was there they will not get any time to go out again. I used to get so irritated and frustrated by this attitude of theirs. I used to do all the cooking for them and still would get to here some or the other complaint from them, and that too directly to my husband soon after he is back from office.

By gods grace I had my baby boy as decided and it was again a c-section needless to say my second c-section with a short gap. And after my second delivery I did put on weight and was drained totally out of energy. In the mean time my sister-in-law was planning to visit us soon. My mother-in-law expects me to take good care of my sister-in-law and her two kids and I know she does not care if I get a sleep of only 2 hrs in a full day. If at all I used to lie down for some time when the baby slept then she would be all ready to fill my husbands ears that I was sleeping the whole day and she was tired of doing all the house work.

Now all my husbands’ side family are here and “THEY” are having a good time. No one is bothered to ask me how my health was doing, any ways I was not expecting them too ask either. My main problem now is I am not able to bear the comments from my sisters-in-law and in-laws. They may be suggesting me for my good health but for me it’s very embarrassing and frustrating. My in-laws kind of have a check on what ever I eat, drink and do. Even my husband started doing that in front of everybody. No one is ready to understand my mental status and physical strength. I am kind of getting exhausted by the end of the day with cooking and looking after my daughter and the baby. To add to all this my doctor suggested me to wait for four to six months before I start heavy exercises due to the two c-sections. I feel so helpless and frustrated that I want to leave every one and run away. I wanted to share my story with some one so that I can make my self little strong.

Some notes on the issue :

• As said in the previous posts (HR1 and HR2), it is indeed a very very sad part that many don't learn from their past experiences. Every person goes through similar (if not the same) phases in life and they all forget the golden rule "Do not do to others what you would not like to be done to you".
• It is very difficult to say what happens with many (as everyone has an Unique situation), but it always helps to have an "OPEN" communication with In-laws and Spouse. Sometimes, unconsciously and unknowingly, we skip some conversations, which will lead to misunderstandings.
• As it is always the case that the older generation tend to have a basic or straight communication. This means their way of speaking seems to be bit rough and on the face. But, in many cases they don't really mean it. It's just the way of they talk.  Again, many women are able to take it positively when her own Mother says something but if the same sentence is uttered by Mother-in-law, they get angry on them. 
• Mother-in-law != Mother (for Husband and/or Wife); However, please be considerate.
• Some sister-in-laws may want to impose same (similar) restrictions that they had. This is rather very unfortunate and the only way out is to educate and forgive these "poor souls". Another reason for the weird behavior is the "power game" (they may not have enough love or power at their own home. So, they want to show the power where they can). 
• This situation is similar to the ragging in colleges. A junior knows what it takes to undergo the ragging. He knows how much he cried on the night when the seniors slapped him all the while. But, the inexplicable human brain repeats the same mistake. When he becomes senior, he would want to take the same sadistic pleasure that his seniors had from him. Of course, there are some nice seniors who would understand what they went through and STOP being sadistic.
• The main person who should understand the situation is "Husband/Head of the Family". In the above situation, many (wifes) would not care if there is some sort of support from Husband. But if he does not understand then there is a real problem. It's the time to educate him. e.g. explaining him that, "India has a huge family support system", "in USA we need to do everything without help", "no maid servents in USA", etc.. Yes, even though all these are very basic and need to be understood, sometimes you need to explain a lot in detail for some people.
• There is only one Mantra ... "Communicate", "Communicate", "Communicate".

Story 3 : History repeats - Be fair with parents - Part II

This post is continuation of the Part - 1. In the last post, you have seen how the poor Mother did service to both the Sons and Daughter-in-laws.

As we see in everyone's life, things turn around. You cant be energetic and healthy for long and all the time (Lucky if someone is). This mother at her 62nd year had slipped in the Bath room of Son2's house. She literally broke her leg and was hospitalized for 6 days. With a great difficulty, she has the signs of recovery and for some "UNKNOWN" reason this Mother was "SENT" to Son1's house after a week. The Daughter-in-law1 took care of her for a month and then they started moving her between the families every other month.

Till then, she could talk express her opinion and after 6 months she started walking again. All the while she was of course being kicked between the Sons families. The LOVE which Daughter-in-laws had on this Mother was gone. Now this poor Mother became a BURDEN to the families rather then LOVABLE Mother.

After few months Both Sons got together and cma to a decision that the Mother will be with each of them for 3 months in the rotation basis. Poor Mother again was happy that they decided to keep her (rather then sending her to old age home).

After an Year, this Mother developed weakness, (uncontrollable) diabetes and other symptoms. At the same time, REAL Unfortunately, this Mother had "Paralysis attack" and her Right Hand and Left Leg got effected. How can God (if you believe in him)  give her such sequence of bad events in her life. This time she had to take bed rest and can't move. Again after 4 months, she had another attach and her speech got effected. Currently (Feb 2010), she is around 70 years, on bed rest, can't talk, cant move and waiting for her death. Sometimes she cant recognize, can't cry when she sees her sisters and near people.

Following is the way Daughter-in-laws treated this poor Women and let her ready to Die.

• Both Daughter-in-laws felt it was a Burden on them to maintain her. They both started blaming each other for her condition. 
• Son1 and Daughter-in-Law1 would lock her in house (even in her current stage) and would go to Cinema, Pilgrimage, Friends place and Picnics. 
• Daughter-in-law2 is little better. However, she has competition with Daughter-in-law1 and does not want to serve her even an EXTRA day. They would calculate the exact 90 days of stay for the Mother. 
• For any reason of Bandh, Rain or Office work, if it was not possible to leave her at other Sons place, then they would calculate accodringly and adjust in next months. 
• Diabetic means that person needs proper amounts of food at regular time intervals. Both Daughter-in-laws had never cooked anything separate for her as it is a waste of time. They would prefer to watch a nice TV serial or a movie in that time. So, this poor Mother would get 2 slices of bread (this Mother sure needs some traditional Breakfast), lunch and Dinner. No one wants to know if wants to eat in-between and if she hungry at all.
• Other people come and go, but they never bother to introduce this poor Mother (in-law). She is given her "dungeon" and she is left her own.
• Daughter-in-law1 would not do any service to her but keeps a servant/nurse to take care of her. She never allows kids to go into that room as she calls that room as "Dirty and Sick". 
• The Daughter-in-laws would do hours and hours of prayers to GOD but would never serve their Mother(in-law) who is in NEED. What good is that Prayer for ? What good is that sort of God who asks them to pray and not serve their own people ? Even if God exists, he will definitely not appreciate this.
• When some of this Mother's sisters and relatives suggested them that "She many like the Old age home as she will have company and medicines will be given in time", Sons and Daughters retaliated and became angry on people who suggested. They said, we are taking care of this Mother nicely and there is no need to take her anywhere. The same people who suggested the Old age home also said that they would pay for the monthly expenses, but still no LUCK for this Mother.

And this list will go on to write all the things she underwent. Is it not so sad to read this. Don't you get angry on such Daughter-in-laws and SONs especially. Is it not sad that people talk about Values and they themselves don't care about their own parents. Is it not sad that we all inherit and ancient "Sanatana Dharma" and still act in an inhumanly.

Whats wrong : Unfortunately, these people can not be suggested anything. All the efforts of requesting, pleading and explaining the situation have gone in vein with these people. So, we would only want to see What's wrong and Request other Sons and Daughter-in-laws.

• You may all be thinking by now (or earlier) what the #%$^ are the Sons doing all while ? Yes, that's a decent question. But, these Sons have given up. When the Sons are asked about it, all the time they said only one thing, "We really really love our Mother; It's just that we are not in a positions to influence our wives to do something. We are not the ones who would take care of them from Morning to Evening when we are away to Work. If they don't have love and affection, we cant help it. We dont want to fight with them for life time".
• Well, there is only one problem here. The problem is Sons (80%)  and Daughter-in-laws (20%) and NOTHING ELSE. For any Son, soon after the marriage it becomes all the necessary to treat fairly - the parents from Both sides - Parents and In-laws. Some Sons seem to sway towards the In-laws so that they can impress the wife (No idea why this happens; But this happens).
• Sons don't give importance to their own Family Members. They think that they are too busy to communicate in their work. But in the mean while, Wife is developing a "feeling" that my Husband does not care about his own Parents. And now, such wives deduce that, "If my husband does not care his parents, then why should i care ?" and "If my husband does not respect his own family traditions and values, then why should i ?".
• Remember that by nature Women are better communicators than Men. So, even if you don't communicate on par with Women, Men should at least show (and have) respect towards his family. Wife MUST know in the initial years of marriage that you respect your family a lot. Of course, inversely, the same theory applies to Wife too.
• For some reason, if Wife is not interested in working with In-Laws, Son should continue to show LOVE and AFFECTION towards the parents. He should continue to Serve in whatever little time he has at home. He should encourage his kids to talk to Grand parents and play with them. Wife may not be willing or understand it initially,  But eventually she WILL. 
• When Son/Daughter-In-Law is living with In-laws, it is natural act that even In-laws will try to do some small work and help Son/Daughter-in-law in day-to-day work. Don't make it as a habit to push more work on them (As a Son, it's not difficult to identify it). Of course, we also see In-laws who are highly non-cooperative and become burden to everyone (But we are not talking about them in this case). 

Request for any Son and Daughter-in-Law :

• Women can MAKE a Family and BREAK a Family. Please treat your Parents and In-laws fairly. 
• As the Head of the family, sometimes Men need to take tough decisions. But as long as it is good for the family and will keep you all together, stand by it.
• For a Daughter-in-law when she is not in good terms with In-laws, please be nice with then AT LEAST when they are in bed. Most of families are affluent now and can affort a nurse or maid servent. You can definitely show some LOVE and give them MORAL SUPPORT.
• Please remember what would happen to you in YOUR OLD AGE. Time is not Stand still . You will soon reach their age before you even realize. 
• If you talk about VALUES, CULTURE and TRADITION to your kids; Then, please be an example for YOURSELF. They dont learn from thin air, they learn from YOU.

We are hoping and praying that any parent SHOULD not be in such situation.

Story 3 : History repeats - Be fair with parents - Part I

We all grow in age with time; whether one likes it or not this is the fact and does not change for anyone. One would definitely see the stages of Newborn, Infant, Toddler, Pre-school(er), Grader, Teen, Adult, Middle Aged, Old and Super Old in their own life. Even though it is pretty evident that every adult/middle aged turns to Old age sometime later, many seems not to understand the "Fair Treatment for Parents".

Following is one such story where parent (mother) gets shuttled between her two sons. You will see that at times it is good to have Humanitarian grounds rather than on Relationship.

This family has two sons both married and living in separate cities. Both are very well educated and they earn nice money each month. One is a Business man and other is a salaried employee. Their father expired when they were kids and her mother did all the toil to raise these kids and give them proper education. She raised them from village boys to a respectable person in their city locality.

She was the loving mother for BOTH of the sons till the marriage. After the marriage this Mother still lived in village thinking that she does not want to be a burden on the sons and daughter-in-laws. As everyone would expect, both daughter-in-laws called her their homes whenever they are in need. During their pregnancy time or when they are not well and so on. This poor Mother did everything that she could right from 55 years till 62 years without uttering a word and VERY HAPPILY.

For this Mother the bad times in her life started. As she is getting older, she had an idea that she should write a will. She has some land and a VERY HUGE house in her village. She started developing Diabetic at the age of 60 years, her eye sight is diminishing, undoubtedly her stamina is touching rock bottom. For any person with common sense, these are very obvious signs of old age and its the time to give some rest to this Mother and do everything the sons and daughter-in-laws could do.

In this part of it, see how this Mother worked for the Sons and Daughter-in-laws. In the next part, we will see how she was treated after her illness and they are letting her die. In the second part,  we will also discuss what's wrong with the situation.

Son1 and Daughter-in-law1

Some Back Ground : This Son1 got married to a very decent family in the society and in terms of money and status they are well below this family. She is well educated and knows how to read and write. They have Son and Daughter.

• Whenever the Daughter-in-law1 wanted to go to her mother's home she used to call her. This poor Mother was happy that she can spend time with the grand kids and Son1.
• This poor Mother was called whenever the Daughter-in-law1's relatives came to the city for pleasure. Daughter-in-law1 wanted the Mother(-in-law) to be at home so that she can be with her relatives.
• This poor Mother used to clean the house, do the washing of kids cloaths, do the washing of vessels, give the kids bath, make the kids ready to school, cook for everyone .... she did all these thinking that "There is nothing wrong in doing OUR OWN work".
• During the May/June time when the crop is ready in her fields, she used to sell them and buy gold for BOTH the daughter-in-laws and get lots and lots of gifts for kids.

Son2 and Daughter-in-law2

Some Back Ground : This Son2 got married to a highly educated girl. They have Daughter and Son.

• The (Grand) Daughter is born with 4 fingers on her right hand. Especially as its a baby girl, this Mother was all worried and she used to do a complete month's fasting for 4 years continuously without looking at her health.
• This Mother used to take care of the (Grand) Daughter 24/7 and everything that one can imagine. Even when she was with Son1, she used to DAILY call the Grand Daughter and talk to her. She had that immaculate affection on this Grand Daughter as she has this problem.
• During the second pregnancy of the Daughter-in-law2, this Mother is with them completely and did all the service in spite of developing a serious diabetic condition.
• This poor Mother used to clean the house, do the washing of kids cloths, do the washing of vessels, give the kids bath, make the kids ready to school, cook for everyone .... she did all these thinking that "There is nothing wrong in doing OUR OWN work".
• During the May/June time when the crop is ready in her fields, she used to sell them and buy gold for BOTH the daughter-in-laws and get lots and lots of gifts for kids.

She did all the above in spite she is in her 60s and NEVER EVER COMPLAINED. This poor Mother was so naive that several years ago, she considered the non-stick cookware's black coating as some sticky substance and she tried to peel it off with spoon while she was washing vessels. One of the Daughter-in-law shouted at her and did not talk to this poor mother for 2 days till SON intervened.

In the next part you will see how this poor Mother was treated when she became ill and could not move.