LEARN TO LIVE HAPPILY

On my daily morning walking spree ,

I smiled at  a sad  Arabic lady as (young ) as me.

Coming from a  Middle East unrest country,

At first it was  As salami alaikum  and a Hi on some days,

Then we became friendly with each passing day.

Smile and calm was hard  to find on her face,

She lamented of her lonely life and difficult ways,

She didn't enjoy her granddaughters  birthday party,

Because all were dancing and laughing ,she felt lonely!

Neglected , unhappy ,depressed and was in tears !

Why didn't you join in the celebrations ? I asked her.

Don't you like to  listen to the music and dance together.

It's not befitting of me to do that at this age, she said,

What will my son and daughter in law think of me instead,

They never asked me to join them in the frolic and fun ,

And daily, you preach to  me, I should  learn to be happy within!

Life is very difficult for me ,all I do is pray the whole day,

For my other sons who are in my home country of unrest till today.

I reasoned with her ,why feel unhappy for what you cannot change,

Let go your inhibitions and worries , join the fun , don't feel strange.

Forget what others think or say ,listen to your heart,don't feel crappy.

It's your life,love yourself,only you can make yourself feel happy.

Have faith and trust in HIM ,you smile and you will see smiles all around,

Life is too short to submerge in sorrows ,when happiness can be found .

She now looks forward to talking  with me each day on my walk ,

My dilemma is her SLOW walking pace , my FAST steps get a sad knock.

Footnote-

      This narrative poetry  is a true and  recent incident . The younger generation is so busy in their own world and new responsibilities  that they fail to give the attention desired by their old parents who may have lost their spouses and yearn for love and  affection.  How nice it would have been if  her son would have held her hand to join the birthday fun!  

       The elders should also shed their ego and let go the past then only can they find happiness .Her question to me has always been how can I love myself and be happy?