It's only when you see other's respecting your parents that your respect for them grows even more and you begin to see them in a different light. I believe medicine and teaching are the most rewarding professions in terms of genuine respect. And as my folks happen to be teachers (a fact I am extremely proud of), I get to witness displays of respect and love quite often. Here I share such an incident:
Yesterday evening I settled on the couch in the drawing room with my laptop. I had to finish a new blog entry (which turned out to be rather boring, if I may say so myself). Papa was sitting on the other sofa correcting some sheets and flipping through the channels on the TV. So, I was sprawled on the sofa when a young (fat) girl of 16 came bustling in announcing that she has come to introduce Papa's new student. I remembered this girl. She is from our colony. I had seen her around often. She came to take classes from Papa. But if I was remembering correctly, she had just given her 10th board exams. (Here I must mention that my memory is troubling me a lot since quite some time now, I am open to sensible advice) (oh, and I should also mention that my Papa is a science teacher for 9th and 10th standard by qualification but also teaches mathematics because he loves the subject.) Ok, so when the girl (whose name I can't recall. Remember, memory issues!) announced that she has brought along a new student, I glanced at the hallway. But she was only trailed by her very modern looking mother. So I straightened up and tried to smooth the creases from my oversized gray nightshirt (all in vain, I still looked silly) and smiled hospitably at the mother daughter duo. They made themselves comfortable and I was still waiting for the new student, when the girl said that she has opted for medical science as stream for her higher studies. Although she has enrolled herself in a correspondence study course from a hi - fi institute (with a high success rate, so it claims), she wanted dad to teach her. Ok, so dad is a brilliant teacher, the best I have ever had, but for more than 30 years now, he has taught standards 9th and 10th. Higher classes is a completely different game. No game actually. As my dad tried to patiently explain his student that she had taken a good step by enrolling in that institute and she should take help from more specialised teachers, she just shook her head, all the while saying that she would only study from him. So dad turned to her mother hoping for some sensibility. And sensible she was, judging from the arguments she had! She told dad that in 11th, the institute would only provide detailed notes and dad could brush up his knowledge a bit with their help and then teach it to her daughter. Biology is dad's forte (and my favourite) so he promised to help her with Bio. But the girl also wanted him to teach Physics, Chemistry and Maths. Now, PCBM in 11th is no small feat. And expecting dad to study all these subjects himself first and then teaching it to the girl was rather idealistic. Besides, dad doesn't have the time. (And I am sure he won't want to forego his time on the computer playing solitaire and hearts :P). So Papa gave the girl contact details of his former colleague and good friend who was a master of Maths and Physics. But the girl just wouldn't budge! Even the mother pitched in saying that her daughter had taken up medical because Papa restored her interest in science and the way he taught chemistry was amazing because in all these years, she had understood the mole concept properly herself for the first time! And I just couldn't help not smiling. The daughter and mother coming up with genius arguments (and they really were good with their persuasion skills!) And Papa feeling like he had lost the battle already and worrying slightly at the prospect of studying the tedious course of 11th and 12th again. So I pitched in the discussion and advised that the girl try out the teacher that dad had suggested and if she had any trouble with him, she can contact dad again. Meanwhile, Dad can work on 11th's Biology. This seemed to pacify the mother a bit.
After they had left, I told dad that it was a good idea to go through the course of higher classes once. It is not like he hasn't studied and taught it before. And it would mean more income because the target group would increase. Dad just smiled his crinkly eyed smile at me and said money isn't everything (cliche bt touche) and he was content with what he has. And he went back to watching a dubbed south Indian film. Actually I think he loves his computer cards games a bit too much to spend his tome studying instead :P
Anyhow, seeing how genuinely Papa's students loved him and respected him and the comfortable relation they shared with him, joking and laughing loudly and imposing on him, I felt slightly jealous and mighty proud! They'l saunter into the kitchen anytime for a drink of water or some snack and Ma would willingly oblige. They'l sprawl on the floor, on the couch, in the hallway and any available space while giving their tests and the family would have to skip over their legs and backs to move from one place to another. it's a wonderful feeling, knowing that your parents are loved and respected so much. It gives you another reason to love your parents even more.
Mom, Dad.. I am extremely proud of you. I love you.
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