I love talking to my parents

15/5/2025

I'm rich.

Not financially rich, but still rich.

Because I still have my mum and dad.

..and I love talking to them.

I am now at the age where I appreciate my parents more than ever.

I don't condemn anyone who doesn't like their parents. I understand that feelings. I've been there.

My advice: respect your parents. No matter what.

I'm not the exemplary example there is, nor the wisest. I just stick to the basics:

1. You won't be alive today if not because of your parents.

2. Some people only realize the value of something after they lose it - don't be that people.

3. Doing good to parents is an order from the God.

I can't travel to the past, so I talk to my parents

Just so you know, I don't immediately picked up on the idea of enjoying conversation with my parents.

I'm quite rebellious and authoritarian. More especially I have the role of the eldest male of the siblings.

I went through and have seen more bitter episodes in my family than my siblings.

You can guess how big is my ego given the circumstances.

*     *     *

It all started after I settled down.

That's the time when men will face lots of new problems.

And the best place to consult advices, is from older couples - my parents.

When you get advices from old people, it comes with history anecdotes out of the box.

Before I realize it, my parents walked me to the past, passing its door, all without moving an inch in the present body.

A history enthusiasist myself, I enjoyed the 'trip'. I wished I had the chance to talk to my grandma again. She's even a bigger trove of history treasures and lessons.

I may grow fond of hearing history tale, but I'm more relieved to have my problems heard. Sometimes my problems could be about work or anything, but I often get critical opinions or important retrospect in return.

The time will come

The time will come when I can no longer meet my parents, let alone talking with them again.

When that happens,... (I don't even know how to finish the very sentence)

Regardless, I'm grateful. There are people out there who had it harder.

Be kind to your parents

Talk to them more. Show your utmost respect.

Take heed from what God said in the Quran:

"And We have commanded people to ˹honour˺ their parents. Their mothers bore them through hardship upon hardship, and their weaning takes two years. So be grateful to Me and your parents. To Me is the final return."

Al-Quran, Chapter Luqman, verse 14

Mohamad Shahrim

author of The Laksamana