The coronavirus pandemic is taking lives, ruining careers, and destroying opportunities at such an extent that it might sound very insensitive to even make a claim that it has had some blessings in disguise. After all, the way it is wreaking havoc is unprecedented in history, and we will not want to see its repetition even in our worst nightmare possible. Still, it really does have some silver linings that we cannot disagree with. For starters, it is erasing the gaps in relationships, especially among the members of the most important social institution called 'family'.
It goes without saying that family is the most important asset of human life. From the very moment we see the lights of this beautiful world, family is what gives us shelters, affections and identities, as well as builds us in a way so that we could face the hard realities of life afterwards. Specially parents are always on their feet to provide their children with everything the latter might need or want. Nothing is more important to them than their children.
However, it is sad but true that after a certain age in our life, a huge distance is developed between us and our parents. Be it because of misunderstanding, conflict of interest, chaos in decision making, lack of proper communication or whatever else, many of us start getting detached from our parents and families, even if not physically, but mentally for sure. We were not mature enough to fully understand our parents in our childhoods. And then, when we have finally come of age and are in possession of the emotional intelligence, it is of no use to connect with our parents, and really get to know where they are coming from, and what would make them happy. In other words, we are generally big failures in being friends with our originators. And the blame is not just only upon us. It is a tradition perhaps evident from the prehistoric era of human civilisation.
But surprisingly, now, at a time when the future of human civilisation is exposed to further destruction, it is finally getting some huge boost in terms of bringing people closer to their families. The grown-up young generation is spending a lot of time at home now-a-days, with the unofficial lockdown still in motion. Even if they are enjoying the lion's share of their leisure simply by binge-watching Netflix or talking European football, there are plenty of time left for them to finally have some chitchats with their parents or other family members.
And these interactions are doing wonders for sure. They are making the youth somewhat understand of their parents' desires, interests of their siblings, or how the grandparents or kids go about every single day locked up inside the four walls. Besides, the young generation is also getting some 'extra time' and guts to express their own feelings or share their dreams with their blood relatives.
It is nowadays a common sight for many youngsters to be very active in kitchens, making special dishes for all, or getting into the storms in tea-cups over trivial matters with their family members. And this way, the phrase 'spending quality time with family' is no more just a myth or legend. It is now an apparent reality. The spaces are gradually getting defaced, and the much-needed warmth is coming back to the family bonding to make them tighter and stronger.
It is anyone's guess if the newly discovered togetherness between the youth and their families will really exist once the pandemic is over (hopefully). But for now, this togetherness is helping them to pass their time with joy, get rid of depression or other mental complexities, and most importantly, explore the magic of being part of a family.
It is a shame that we needed an earth-shattering pandemic to realise the importance of family, but what is done is done. We cannot make amends for the past scars. But what we can do is make sure that there is no more in the days ahead. By learning lessons from these hard times, we must always try to be in touch with our families, and never let them go away again. Now it is clear that even if no one else is found in a moment of crisis, our families are always there to come to the rescue.
We must realise, it is never too late to be friends with family.
The writer is a BSS student in Mass Communication and Journalism at University of Dhaka. He can be reached at [email protected]
