To my dear child,

On the day you see me old, weak and weary, please have patience and try to understand me. And if I get dirty when eating and cannot dress on my own, for God’s seek just bear with me and remember the times I spent feeding you and dressing you up.

When I speak to you and repeat the same things over and over again, try not to interrupt me but rather be attentive and listen to me.

Even when you were small, I had to read to you the same story a thousand and one times until you went to sleep.

When I visit your home and do not want to have a shower, neither a shame nor yell at me.

Remember when I had to chase you with your a thousand excuses to get you to the shower?

When you see my ignorance of new technologies, help me navigate my way through those world wide webs so as to make me comfortable.

I also taught you how to do so many things, to eat the right foods, to dress appropriately, to fight for your rights.

When at some moment I lose the memory or the thread of our conversation, let me have the necessary time to remember.

And if I can not, do not become nervous. The most important thing is not our conversation, but surely to be with you and to have you listening to me.

If I ever do not feel like eating, do not force me because I know well when I need to and when not to eat.

When my tired legs give way and do not allow me to walk without a cane, lend me your hand. The same way I did when you tried your first undecided steps.

And when someday I say to you, that I do not want to live any more, that I want to die, do not get angry. Someday you will understand my argument, but also try to understand that my age is not just lived but survived.

Someday you will realize that, despite my mistakes, I always wanted the best for you and that I only tried to prepare the way for your future.

You must never feel sad, angry or ashamed for having me near you but instead, try to understand me and help me like I did when you were young.

Help me to walk and to live the rest of my life with love and dignity. I will pay you with a smile and by the endless love I have always had for you in my heart.

I love you, child.

Ends