Ramesh dedicated his life to building his company from the ground up. He came from a humble background where everyone worked hard for their livelihood. He always dreamt of starting his own business to support his family and leave a legacy for his son, Raj. Ramesh poured his heart and soul into the company, sacrificing countless sleepless nights and missing out on holidays, family dinners, and precious moments with Raj. His company was not just a money-making venture; it was about giving his son, Raj, the life of his dreams.
When Raj turned 25 and the company was thriving, Ramesh felt ready to step back and pass the reins on to his son. He dreamt of Raj inheriting not just the company, but also his vision, passion, and drive. One evening, Ramesh called Raj into his room and, with anxiety and pride, told him that the time had come for Raj to take over. Raj was taken by surprise and expressed his desire to pursue a career as a designer instead of managing the business. This revelation left Ramesh feeling like the ground was slipping from under his feet. He felt as if all his sacrifices and aspirations had shattered in an instant.
Raj tried to explain that he had never wanted to be in business and that his true passion lay in design. Ramesh struggled to understand, as he had always believed that success and stability came only through business. He couldn’t fathom his one and only son not understanding his vision. He felt as if no one cared for him and the effort he put in. But, as months passed, he saw Raj happy living his life as a designer. He saw his determination and passion and finally let go of his dream for Raj. He felt betrayed by his preconceptions of fatherhood, regretted not being an active part of Raj’s life, and was deeply sorry for pushing his goals onto Raj.
As time passed, Ramesh further realized that his role as a parent was not to mould Raj’s future but to understand and encourage him to become a person of his own. Gradually, he began to accept Raj’s decision and took pride in his son’s accomplishments, understanding that fostering each child’s spark was more important than trying to mould them into mirror images of oneself.
Ramesh discovered a new legacy of acceptance, compassion, and love by embracing his son’s dreams. He found comfort in knowing that Raj was following his path with the same fervour he once had towards his business. The relationship between father and son flourished based on respect for each other’s distinct dreams. Ramesh no longer believed his life was a waste, as he had found the legacy he sought—a legacy of love—by accepting his son.
This story serves as a powerful reminder to parents to support and understand their child’s unique goals and dreams, rather than forcing their desires upon them. This can happen only when parents spend quality time with their children and be a part of their life’s journey. Children may not be able to communicate their feelings and might throw tantrums or act weirdly. But as parents have we equipped ourselves to understand them?
