When I'm Old...

When I'm old, no longer whom I used to be, please be understanding, please be patient with me.

When I splash soup on my clothes, when I forget to tie my shoes, please remember how I taught you to do these things properly.

When I repeat myself again and again, please be patient and don't interrupt. When you were young, I had to repeat these bed time stories a thousand times, until your sweet dreams came.

When I need you to bathe me, please don't complaint. Remember how hard I had to work to wash you when you were little?

When I am clueless dealing with the new technology, please don't laugh at me. Remember how I answered all of your questions starting with "Why"?

When my legs are too weak to walk, please support me with your strong young hands, just like what I did for you when you began learning to walk.

When I suddenly lost track of our conversation, please allow me some time to recover. For me, it's not important what we are talking, I'm perfectly content as along as you are listening.

When watching me getting old, please don't be sad. Rather please be understanding and supportive, just like what I did for you when you started learning how to live.

I guided you at the beginning of your journey of life, now please accompany me for the last leg of my trip.

For your patience and love, I will return to you a grateful smile, a smile with my endless love.

- Mexican "Digital Family" November issue

I didn't write this. The original was in Spanish, then it was translated into Chinese. Now it's translated again to English. Fortunately, what this short and beautiful essay says is universal to people everywhere.

Attached is the Chinese version.

当我老了

当我老了，不再是原来的我。请理解我，对我有一点耐心。
当我把菜汤洒到自己的衣服上时，当我忘记怎样系鞋带时，请想一想当初我是如何手把手地教你。
当我一遍又一遍地重复你早已听腻的话语，请耐心地听我说，不要打断我。你小的时候，我不得不重复那个讲过千百遍的故事，直到你进入梦乡。
当我需要你帮我洗澡时，请不要责备我。还记得小时候我千方百计哄你洗澡的情形吗？
当我对新科技和新事物不知所措时，请不要嘲笑我。想一想当初我怎样耐心地回答你的每一个“为什么”。
当我由于双腿疲劳而无法行走时，请伸出你年轻有力的手搀扶我。就像你小时候学习走路时，我扶你那样。
当我忽然忘记我们谈话的主题，请给我一些时间让我回想。其实对我来说，谈论什么并不重要，只要你能在一旁听我说，我就很满足。
当你看着老去的我，请不要悲伤。理解我，支持我，就像你刚才开始学习如何生活时我对你那样。当初我引导你走上人生路，如今请陪伴我走完最后的路。给我你的爱和耐心，我会抱以感激的微笑，这微笑中凝结着我对你无限的爱。
墨西哥《数字家庭》十一月号