You used to tell your parents everything, do you remember?
From the new friends you made to what you learned in class
From the people who were nice to you, to the people who were mean to you
From the things you learnt, to the things you wished you’d forget
You’d tell them about your worries and you’d share your happiness
And then, things changed
You grew older, and they stopped understanding
But mostly, you grew older
Now, conversations are not about your dreams anymore
Because they have distinct ideas for what you should be
Something that might differ from what is in your heart
And neither is willing to listen to the other
So there’s just silence
You do still talk about the dinner schedule
And maybe discuss catching a new movie releasing this Friday
But that’s not talking, not like the way you used to anyway
You’ve got to study for your exams
But you could use some emotional support, you know?
Someone who listens patiently while you vent out the frustration of a difficult chapter
Someone who tells you how they got through that phase
“Dad, what did you do when you were freaking out during your exams?
– I used to go out for a walk”
If you wish to, try out what they did
They were kids once too,
albeit in another time altogether
and times have changed
but perhaps the anxiety,
the eagerness, the uncertainty –
perhaps these emotions were still the same back then
Maybe just sit and talk to them about your most fantastic dreams:
“Mom, I want to tell you the things I enjoy doing, only if you promise you’d listen”
Or just share your anxiety:
“Mom, I’m worrying that I shall not do well in my Math paper, what do I do?”
Ask for some hope:
“Dad, tell me that you believe in my ability to make for myself the future that I desire”
Or just some good old advice:
“Dad, what is that you wished you could do if you had the opportunities I have?”
Sometimes, they’ll listen.
Sometimes, they won’t
Sometimes, they’ll just won’t listen.
The trick is to keep talking to them
Keep telling them your side of the story
Keep showing them your perspective
And trying to see theirs too, sometimes
You’ve had enough of this silence; don’t you think?
Give it another try; go to them and just:
Talk.