The sun seems to be fusing the air with lava today and despite my dietary restrictions for sugar consumption, I have been sucking a pineapple ice lolly. Coerced by a very dramatic grandchild I was forced to give up £20 from my Botox injection savings fund and pay for everybody’s ice lollies. Now that I am bankrupt, I thought I might as well act like diabetes doesn’t exist and eat one too so here I am; sucking an overpriced lolly with a frown on my face. Jokes apart, at this point I realised two things: 1) My grandchild inherited the theatrics from me and 2) This saccharine syrup, this cheeni wala paani is extremely overpriced but nobody seems to notice this!
Let me rewind to ye olden days when I; a young child with oiled braids would plead my own grandmother for a silver coin and after a thorough examination with her cataract-infused eyes would reach for her embroidered pallu and unknot it to conjure a polished coin. With that single piece I purchased biscuits with drops of jam glistening in the centre, pulled sugar candies and of course the most delicious ice lollies.
The contrast is one to be mulled over; from the era where money used to be valued, saved, invested and necessities would be prioritised over luxury. I still remember how we had to go and purchase blocks of ice for 2 penny and chunks of it would then be consumed and shared with the entire neighbourhood. These days, you open the refrigerator and voila fresh cubes of ice at hand.
The generational gap has created sufficient ease and owing gratitude to the dirt-caked palms of our ancestors who strived hard to sacrifice their dreams and provide a stable and secure future for their descendants. However it has been an axiom of mine that this financial security has rubbed off the lustre of coins for our children, they do not value money and prefer luxuries over necessities.
There isn’t anything bad about indulging in a comfortable lifestyle but the second it begins to veer upon being prodigal, that is where you draw the line. Paisay darakhton par nhi ugte and a lot of elbow grease goes into earning a sum large enough to only sustain an entire family but fork out enough to complete the desires of your children.
The love of parents’ transcends all barriers and as a mother myself I would; without hesitance pick dazzling stars for my children if I could, even if it burns me. Keeping this in mind, the children too must learn to keep their desires in check and not waste money. Instead they can practice healthy habits such as saving with an emphasis on the importance of charity for the underprivileged.
Build a bigger table, not a higher fence. If you have been blessed financially, understand that your Clio works just as well as an Audi and instead you can visit the local orphanages with presents for the children.
Materialistic joy will last two weeks, a month at max until your eyes catches the next flashy thing but the joy that comes from knowing you made a heart happy. That elusive happiness seems to glitter for eternities.
