Dad I'm Very Busy

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 I’m sorry dad, I’m very busy.

The quality of retirement determines the frequency of “Dad I’m very busy.” Parents that bought retirement property in Florida, Maldives or Cape Town hardly hear it, because they are far away. Parents with active hobbies that constantly increase their circle of friends are also immune to it.


Kids don’t like parents. It’s even worse with poor parents that did not plan for retirement. They don’t have extra cash to supplement the retirement income from employers or old age pension from the government.

Kids don’t want to live with them. This usually results in occupying questionable buildings, housing for the poor provided by provincial governments or living under the bridge with possessions stacked in a grocery cart. 

Homelessness in particular is the extreme example of loss of love, because it may be the last resort after an unsuccessful bid to live with grown up kids. There are many reasons for sleeping under bridges and behind garbage cans and it’s not a monopoly of old people, young people too. Older homeless people seem to be more visible.

Sharing pain is not high up on anybody’s list but, it is a possibility that could be explored to remind the young, healthy and wealthy that BEFORE has a twin called AFTER.  

Employers could include in their strategic getaways, speakers that can share how they didn’t adequately prepare for retirement.  Small business owners can give testimony about struggling to pay bills and salaries, let alone plan for retirement.

Organizations that support old people in distress can suggest names, but who is willing to sit with young people at a conference and admit that they failed to recognize the importance of BEFORE and AFTER?

By:  Nonqaba waka Msimang.

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