Treat our parents with loving care

By Ilia L. Likou 26 February 2017, 12:00AM

Love your parents.

So says Matalena Tafi from the village of Fusi, Savai’i.

Aged 20, Matalena prefers staying at home to look after her elderly parents than finding a job. Matalena is the 6th of 12 siblings. She finished school two years ago.

“I’ve decided to stay home – to look after my parents,” she said.

 “I believe that happiness in life is having the best parents. We therefore must love them unconditionally.”

“That’s why I’ve decided to stay home and take good care of them, we all know that our parents’ need to be cared for when they’re older.”

“To us, God declared blessings and a successful life for those who behave and serve their parents well.”

“I believe it is important to take care of our parents while managing our own life at the same time.”

Matalena said children should always respect their parents.

“We all love our parents but some of us don’t really mean this,” she said.

 “I say this because I’ve seen a lot of them talk back and disrespect their parents. We should know that our parents have sacrificed a lot for us to survive.”

“Personally, I can never pay them back for all that they have done but looking after them is the best gift I can give.”

Matalena also said “actions speak louder than words”

“As children, it is our duty to take care of them in the times of their need especially when they grow older. That’s love.”

“They spent their whole life to bring us up, they understand our language, our signs whenever they okegia us, I mean everything, but that love never changes.”

“We disrespect, disobey, be rude and show behavior that have  is really sad if we think about it.”

 “I’m not saying this because I’m perfect but we should remember that they’re the most valuable gift and a shadow of safety for us, children.”

“So we must respect and be kind while we still have time.”

Matalena believes that happiness combines family together.

“Happiness is the key to a successful family,” she said.

“We all understand that  relationships between parents and their children survives on mutual respect and understanding.”

“It’s hard to others but if we are willing to take care of our parents then God will always be there to provide.”

“Yes, we need to take good care of their every need, make sure they know that we will always  be around them, no matter what.”

By Ilia L. Likou 26 February 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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