Some thoughts.

Loss of a loved elder hits one in many many ways.

On one hand, it is a true loss of the inner child. With a kind and benevolent elder, one is allowed to be a child. No matter what one's own age is. One is allowed to let down one's guard. There is no judging.

On the other, they teach by just being. In very difficult times, they teach lessons in conduct by just being themselves. A complete underserved kind word goes a long way in pulling you out of whatever waters you are drowning in.

And then, there is the inevitability of mortality.

An elder passing away naturally reminds you that you too are on the same journey. Headed to the same destination, and much time has passed since the journey started.

What do you do with the time left? What was their legacy? What is yours? Will your legacy be fondly remembered?

More importantly, in this age of small / distributed / lassez faire family structure .. you miss their final journey. Yes, you are sitting in an unknown land making a name for yourself. It is what the elder wished for you? But, look 30yrs into the future - who would you wish?

Sometimes, no matter how aloof you think you are, you do miss the kind touch of frail fingers.

Those false promises you make because you want to tell yourself that kind words rather than the truth are better to deal with delicate situations. They know. You know they do.

Life rolls on. You never go to say goodbye. You think you did. But, modern life is basically one long list of goodbyes that never get told.

Maybe it is worthwhile to spread the kindness around. Talk to those who you consider family. Become the elder. For, that's how life rolls.

And beyond all that .. there is this:

वासांसि जीर्णानि यथा विहाय नवानि गृह्णाति नरोपराणि
तथा शरीराणि विहाय जीर्णानि अन्यानि संयाति नवानि देही

But, for such a kind soul, do you wish them another life here?

If it means they will be my elder once more, I will be that selfish