My Children

Dear son, dear daughter ...

The day when you will find that I became very old , try to have some patience to me and try to understand me.

If I get dirty by eating …
If I have some difficulty dressing … be patient !
Remember the hours that I spent to learn you any sorts of things when you were small.

If I repeat the same thing dozens of time, does not interrupt me! Listen to me!
When you were small, you kept asking me to read you the same history, evening after evening, until you fall asleep. And I made it !

If I do not wash myself any more so often under the shower, do not reprimand and do not tell me that it is a shame.
Remember how many excuses I had to invent to make you take a bath you were small.

By seeing my ignorance towards the new technologies, do not laugh of me but leave me rather the time to understand.
I taught you so many things indeed to eat well … to dress well … to behave well … how to confront the problems of the life …

If I sometimes miss memory or am not able to follow a conversation, leave me the necessary time to recollect and if I do not reach there, do not become a nervous and arrogant person because the most important for me, … it is to be with you and to be able to speak to you.

If I refuse to eat, do not force myself ! I know very well when I am hungry and when I am not hungry ...

When my poor legs will not allow me any moreto move as before …
Help me in the same way as I held your handsto learn you make your first steps.

And when one day, I shall say to you that I do not want to live any more … that I want to die, do not get angry … because one day, you will also understand !

Try to understand that at certain age, we do not really live any more. We simply survive !

One day, you will understand that in spite of all my errors, I always wanted what was best for you and thatI prepared you the ground for when you’ve grown up.

You do not have to feel sad, unfortunate or incompetentin front of my old age and of my state.You have to stay near me, try to understand what I live, to make your best as I did at your birth.

Help me to walk, help me to end my lifewith love and patience. The only way that I need to thank you for it, it is a smile and a lot of love from you.

I love you … my son, my daughter !

Your Dad, your Mum

Cup

In ancient Japan, when a new student seeks admission to study at a monastery, he is required to have an audience with the master, a sort of pre-entrance interview if you will.

One day, an intelligent student appeared before the master for such a session.
As they sat together, the young man started to impress the master with his knowledge and accomplishments.

When the master offered tea to him, he continued speaking without acknowledging the master; so absorbed was he in his own cleverness.

All of a sudden, he jumped up, reacting to the hot tea flooding over the tabletop and dripping onto his legs.

“Master!” he shouted. “The cup is overflowing!”

The Master continued pouring the tea, spilling it on to the floor. Then he replied, “So are you. Please come back when you are empty and in need of my teaching.”

Keep your mind humble and open to new ideas.
You’ll learn much more in the process, and continue to develop as a human being.

Think of your brain as the cup in the story.
If you fill it up with your ego, you’ll never get more knowledge in.