At the end of 1981, I left home as a soldier when I was 18 years old.
It's almost the New Year, before the Spring Festival in 2022, after 40 years, I will return to my hometown again.
The feeling of returning to my hometown this time is completely different from the feeling I used to feel when I came back!
My brother's house
There is no anticipation, no return to the heart like an arrow, no homesickness.
What I have in my heart is only left to be lost, only aimless, feeling that I am a rootless duckweed, floating everywhere, nowhere to take root!
water well
Because my father died suddenly of illness 32 years ago, and my mother left us 3 years ago.
As the saying goes, where the parents are, the home is.
Ancient saponaria tree
This time back to my hometown, I have a clear feeling in my heart: although my hometown is still my hometown, I really don't have a home. Back home, I feel like a guest!
Abandoned houses
Back in my hometown, I crossed the mountains to the graves of my grandfather, grandmother, father, and mother, lit an incense stick, burned a candle, burned a stack of paper threads, lit a firecracker, knelt down and prostrated my head, and sent mourning...
Folks' pigsty
Back to my hometown, I walked around the village, east, west, north and south. Everywhere you go, you will recall your childhood memories. Although the appearance is still the same, the mountains and rivers, grass and trees in the hometown will never be enough to see!
The village is connected by road
My hometown is the place where I was born and raised; my hometown carries too many memories and emotions; my hometown is a place that I can never forget.
Villagers' Activity Square
However, for my hometown, I am already a hurried passerby. Hometown, only endless thoughts, never go back!
People go to the house collapse