The most frugal gift you can give is your time

Yes I know gifts are not a requirement and all that. <br>However not everyone has the luxury to refuse being showered with gifts. <br>Especially the elderly.<br><br>I still remember when I was 5-6. <br>One winter I didn't want to live in the world anymore. <br>I had lost both my maternal grandparents.<br>And my paternal grandfather passed away, followed by my paternal aunt a few days later. <br>I just didn't feel the need to live anymore. <br><br>That was around a month ago. <br>I got my routine back after 3-4 months. <br>My parents didn't bother how I felt. <br>As long as I was healthy, I could live my life as I saw fit. <br><br>Now I'm 25. <br>My father passed away 2 years ago. <br>And I feel like my mother has no reason to live anymore, now that she has lost one of her kids. <br>Actually I felt like that myself. <br>Not that I have to live for my mom, but she is the last person left in my life. <br>That's a lot of pressure, and no one should have to live their life for someone else. <br>So I try my best to make her feel cared for and loved. <br>To the point that she has no idea how I feel. <br>Even though I don't feel like living anymore. <br><br>A few weeks ago I saw her crying. <br>She was cleaning a photo album and she remembered her parents. <br>She still cries about it to this day. <br><br>I think about her crying and I just can't bear the thought of it. <br>She should never feel so alone. <br>It's been 15 years and still she feels alone. <br><br>That's why I have been spending my time with the elderly, ever since I moved back home. <br>I try to make them feel cared for. <br>I bring my mom along and we just spend time together. <br>We eat together. <br>Drink together. <br>Hug them. Hold them. <br>We don't give them anything, just our time. <br>Their eyes shine and they feel loved. <br>They have a reason to live. <br>Even if it's just for another day. <br><br>I know this is going to end up being a gift. <br>They will end up giving us something, cause that's how they are. <br>But we will take it cause we feel like we have no right to make them sad. <br><br>So do the same. <br>I don't matter. <br>Nobody matters, nobody cares. <br>But that doesn't mean we should let them feel like that. <br>Just hold them. <br>Let them know you care. <br>Show them love. <br>Keep your arms open, so they don't live isolated.