ALMOST 14 days ago I praised my grandmother. I shared her true anecdote of heroism, sacrifice and courage, compassion, love and empathy.
Then my heart sank to its lowest ebb as I read the tragic and heart-rending story of how 18 elders perished in a blistering fire at the Pieter Wessels retirement village in Dunnottar, Nigel.
First and foremost, I wish to make it categorically clear that I truly appreciate the efforts of all the care- givers who provide a shelter and comfort for our senior citizens.
But I cannot, for the infected life of me, comprehend why my grandparents in their hour of great need, should be placed in some charitable institution when I am still alive.
I think that it borders on selfishness and an embarrassing disregard for the great sacrifices and strides that our grandparents experienced to ensure that we lead such extraordinarily hectic lives.
It is through their indelible sweat that we have made a success of our own lives.
Even in times of extreme poverty and deprivation and oppression, my grandparents suffered with me.
My grandmother carried me on her paralysingly painful back in the bitter cold months.
She covered my fragile forehead when the storms came.
She broke the bread when there was nothing to eat and we shared tap water when she could not spoil me with a soft drink.
In the stillness of the night, I could hear her talking to God, pleading for mercy and provision for her children. She was selfless.
Why then have we forsaken our elders?
Why do we expect them to make new friends and be accustomed to a foreign environment when they are 80 years and older?
Why are we so insensitive and cold and cruel? Where is our humanity? Do we ever stop to think whether we will be cared for when we have reached such ages?
Why are we selling the ageing souls of those who were willing to die in order for us to live, so cheaply and disrespectfully and insultingly.
Why do we choose to care for our elders remotely?
The heavy smoke incapacitated the elderly before the fire burnt them to death.
What a shame. What a disgrace. What a pity.
May God save their souls.
I praise my gran, and cry for 18 who perished in a fire
ALMOST 14 days ago I praised my grandmother. I shared her true anecdote of heroism, sacrifice and courage, compassion, love and empathy.
Then my heart sank to its lowest ebb as I read the tragic and heart-rending story of how 18 elders perished in a blistering fire at the Pieter Wessels retirement village in Dunnottar, Nigel.
First and foremost, I wish to make it categorically clear that I truly appreciate the efforts of all the care- givers who provide a shelter and comfort for our senior citizens.
But I cannot, for the infected life of me, comprehend why my grandparents in their hour of great need, should be placed in some charitable institution when I am still alive.
I think that it borders on selfishness and an embarrassing disregard for the great sacrifices and strides that our grandparents experienced to ensure that we lead such extraordinarily hectic lives.
It is through their indelible sweat that we have made a success of our own lives.
Even in times of extreme poverty and deprivation and oppression, my grandparents suffered with me.
My grandmother carried me on her paralysingly painful back in the bitter cold months.
She covered my fragile forehead when the storms came.
She broke the bread when there was nothing to eat and we shared tap water when she could not spoil me with a soft drink.
In the stillness of the night, I could hear her talking to God, pleading for mercy and provision for her children. She was selfless.
Why then have we forsaken our elders?
Why do we expect them to make new friends and be accustomed to a foreign environment when they are 80 years and older?
Why are we so insensitive and cold and cruel? Where is our humanity? Do we ever stop to think whether we will be cared for when we have reached such ages?
Why are we selling the ageing souls of those who were willing to die in order for us to live, so cheaply and disrespectfully and insultingly.
Why do we choose to care for our elders remotely?
The heavy smoke incapacitated the elderly before the fire burnt them to death.
What a shame. What a disgrace. What a pity.
May God save their souls.
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