There was a time when a son, after losing his father, decided to take his mother to an old age home. He visited her from time to time, ensuring she was okay. Life went on quietly, with him occasionally dropping by to see how she was doing.

One day, out of the blue, the son received a call from the home. The voice on the other end was grave, “Your mother is not well, and her condition is serious,” they told him. With his heart growing heavy, he rushed to see his mother, knowing the situation might be dire.
As he arrived at the old age home, he found his mother in bed, looking frail. It was clear she didn’t have much time left. The son, filled with emotion, approached her gently. “Mom, what can I do for you?” he asked, trying to offer comfort and support in whatever way he could.

With a calm but weakened voice, his mother looked at him and replied, “Son, please think about installing some fans here at the old age home. There aren’t any, and it gets very uncomfortable at times. A fridge would also help improve the quality of our meals because there have been nights when I had to sleep without eating.”
The son was taken aback. “Mom, all these years you’ve been staying here, you never mentioned any of this discomfort. Why talk about it now, with just a few hours left?”
Looking into her son’s eyes with a gentle yet firm gaze, she offered a poignant explanation, “When I was here, I didn’t complain, because I adapted. But I’m not speaking for myself now. I’m concerned for those who will come after. I want to ensure that if, heaven forbid, your children decide to bring you to a place like this one day, you will be comfortable.”
Her words struck a chord with him. Her selflessness was clear; even in her final moments, she wasn’t thinking just of herself but of others, including her own son. She simply wished to show him that the care and love we give often find their way back to us. It was a powerful reminder that resonated deeply: “What you give is what you get.”
This story is a heartfelt testament to the enduring love and wisdom of parents and serves as a moving reminder for us all to cherish, respect, and care for those who have given us so much.