Throughout life, when reaching old age, one should have gained some wisdom. Having experienced various ups and downs, some elderly people, however, have not lived wisely since their youth. They often treat their loved ones poorly, belittle them, and fail to appreciate their efforts and actions.

They always act as if they don’t need anyone else, which seems utterly unreasonable.

In the end, life always returns to simplicity. As you feel your health declining, whether or not you accept being an elderly person, you are gradually experiencing the twilight years. Some elderly people only realize close to death who they can truly rely on in their lifetime.

When young, people are often entangled in various matters, fearing gossip and criticism. Even if you have done no wrong, others may still condemn you mercilessly.

They say that family means sharing both wealth and hardships. However, some people fail to understand this concept when they are young. They mistreat their family members while putting on a friendly face to outsiders.

Even if someone treats you well, at the end of the day, they are still an outsider. Why would some people turn against their own family for the sake of an outsider, offending their loved ones? It is often due to worldly views and desires.

They say you can’t please everyone in life. If you prioritize your family and loved ones, you may neglect others. So, to avoid criticism and seek praise, one tends to treat outsiders well, leading to more hardships for their own family.

It’s often said that saving money for old age is crucial. However, personally, I don’t entirely agree with this notion. After all, emotional connections in life are the most important.

If we treat our partners well, teach our children to respect the elderly, and set a good example for them, they won’t abandon us in old age, regardless of our financial status.

Some people believe that only they can rely on themselves in old age, thinking that being wealthy is better than anything else. They doubt the idea of relying on their children, considering it a futile concept.

Some elderly individuals even end up estranged from their children, believing that their offspring are only after their money.

As seniors, it’s essential to strike a balance between selflessness and selfishness. Being overly generous to outsiders while being stingy with your family will not benefit you in any way. Your family may resent you for not giving them enough, leading to a lack of reciprocation.

A devoted spouse will never abandon you in old age, and as children, they have a duty to care for you. Thus, it’s crucial to treat your spouse well and show care for your children from a young age.

Don’t pay too much attention to empty praise and compliments. Focus your energy on your family, as you may regret neglecting them in the long run.

In rural areas, one can witness many such examples.

In their youth, some men mistreat their wives and neglect their children, spending time with unsavory companions. They seek validation from outsiders, who may praise them for their generosity towards others while mistreating their wives.

These so-called friends will flatter you to gain benefits, even if it means sowing discord among your family members. When you become useless in their eyes, they will distance themselves from you, possibly even joining others to mistreat you. Such individuals are ungrateful and only value personal gain over genuine relationships.

Men and women alike should realize early on that these superficial relationships are based on self-interest. In the end, when you have no one else to rely on, it will still be your spouse and children. Help your friends as much as you can, but don’t invest all your energy in them.

Ultimately, everyone has their own family and responsibilities. They cannot be by your side at all times. When you are bedridden, the only reliable ones will be your spouse and children, who will care for you. Your so-called friends won’t even spare you a glance, let alone offer help when needed.

Sometimes, friendship is just about maintaining a safe distance and not interfering too much in each other’s family matters. In times of despair, offer support and comfort each other, and in times of joy, celebrate each other’s successes.

In any case, one should prioritize family. When old age arrives, those who won’t abandon you are your spouse and children. Even if you had close siblings, no matter how good you were to them in your youth, they won’t necessarily reciprocate in old age. They might even believe that your well-being is solely the responsibility of your spouse and children, not theirs.

Some people may even speak ill of you, sow discord within your family, and worsen your relationships. Therefore, it’s crucial to understand reality early on and recognize what truly matters. Otherwise, if you lose these connections, you’ll have no one to blame but yourself.