Now and then

Last Sunday, after dropping off my dad at the airport (he was going back home*), in a somber mood I was telling my daughter how hard life was when we were kids and how easy things are for them these days. She has heard this a few times before, so looked at me squarely and asked me “didn’t you have fun when you were a kid?”

That set me thinking and here goes -

Then, I wanted to be all grown up, working and independent.
Now, I want to go back in time, back to school and blissfully dependent.

Then, I thought parents could often be a source of embarrassment.
Now, I realize that feelings are mutual.

Then, complicated things looked simple.
Now, everything seems complicated.

Then, shopping was to survive.
Now, I seem to survive to shop.

Then, I longed to add a few Pounds.
Now, I starve to keep them off.

Then, ‘going away’ was fun.
Now, ‘going home*’ is excitement.

Then, ‘change’ was the way of life.
Now, even changing clothes is an effort.

Then, I needed more money...
Some things never change!

*going home for me is by default going to Chennai