“Life is truly a single-player game.”
Ever since I turned 20, the arguments with my Appa have been increasing both in Frequency and intensity. I guess this is not something special. At least one male child in the family has arguments with their father.
But what we argue for is a different question. I don’t know about others, but in our case, the way we see the world is the problem. I completely agree with having different views. These arguments are not all serious but also not fun. It lasts for 25-30 minutes of a heated argument, and then we start behaving like everything is normal again.
In the same case, recently we were driving back home from a family get-together. I’m the only person who drives a car in the family while all the 3 took equally proper training, got qualified, and took licenses, yet decided to forget to drive. Nothing wrong with them. I was fortunate enough that Appa got a car right when I turned 18, while they didn’t have access to one during their learning phase.
My parents have time freedom but limited financial freedom. They can go anywhere, any time, without any restrictions, except that I should be available for them to drive. In a mutual agreement, they don’t plan anything between my work and I also don’t hesitate to drive them in any case. This is all nothing for what they have sacrificed for us all these years.
But my view is, you are getting old and nearing your retirement age, this is the time you should start going to new places without any restrictions. Given the uncertainty of my work (startup founder), I don’t want anyone to be dependent on me and I also don’t want to be dependent on others. IN ALL ASPECTS. You know right, startups have a high failure rate (yet we are idiots to pursue one) and uncertainty is always certain.
See, I don’t mind leaving work and driving any distance for my parents. That is not my duty, that is my moral. Basic human decency. I’m always open to doing that.
But I don’t want them to be dependent on me. All their plans should be independent without considering my schedule or availability. They should be able to plan and execute without any burden. I want my parents to be as free as possible, and go to new places, restaurants, and temples they always wanted to visit without relying on me.
This will give them operational flexibility and also the FREEDOM to move. Moving into the future, it is only going to become difficult for them to have a dependency on me.
Guys, please don’t judge. I’m not the cruel idiot who will not take care of my parents. I just want them to have as much fun as possible.