The Chinese New Year is coming, and the sound of fireworks and firecrackers outside the window is very lively. I sat on the bed with my knees crossed, looking at the joy outside the door, but my heart was extremely empty and lonely.
This is the fifth year since I got married, and the fifth year that I have not returned to my parents' home. According to my in-laws' arrangement, I was forced to stay at my in-laws' house for the Chinese New Year.
"Xiaofang, come and eat dumplings!" My mother-in-law called me outside.
"It's coming!" I wiped tears from the corners of my eyes and walked out briskly.
My mother-in-law and husband were already sitting at the dining table, and I silently sat down next to my husband and picked up the dishes and chopsticks.
"What's wrong Xiaofang, what are you doing alone in the room, your face is not very good." The mother-in-law said with a smile.
I hurriedly squeezed out a smile: "It's okay mother-in-law, it's just a little cold, and it hasn't eased up." ”
"Hey, I want to eat more, and I'll go to the temple to pay New Year's greetings in a while." The mother-in-law complimented, "The dumplings made by Xiaofang are so fragrant, they are much better than those I made!" ”。
"Thank you, mother-in-law!" I'm a little embarrassed.
At this moment, my mobile phone suddenly vibrate, I was heartbroken, and secretly picked up my phone to take a look, and it was actually a message from my mother: "Daughter, Happy New Year!" Your father, I think you think you can't think about it, I really wish you could go home for the New Year.
My heart thumped, and the tears could no longer be held back, and they fell with a clatter.
"Xiaofang, what's wrong with you?" My husband asked with concern.
"No... It's okay. I stood up, "I'm going to wash my face." ”
Running back to my room, I looked at my mother's message and couldn't stop crying. I haven't been home in five years, and my parents and I used to be inseparable, but now we can only contact them by phone and text.
I sent a message back to my mom: "Mom, Happy New Year! My daughter also misses you and her dad so much, and she really wants to go home for the New Year.
After a while, my mother replied: "Mom and Dad understand, and I must come back when I have the opportunity in the future." Let's video and see your face.
I hurriedly clicked on the video call, and my mother's face appeared on the screen, she already had some gray hair, but she was still as kind as ever.
"Mom!" I screamed excitedly.
"Daughter, don't be sad!" Mom also had a sour nose, "You are now someone else's daughter-in-law, and you have to follow your in-laws and husband during the New Year, this is the rule."
I sniffed and nodded, "I know, Mom, I just miss you so much." ”
"So do we, but it's okay, as long as it's safe." My mom comforted me, "By the way, are you pregnant?" ”
I blushed: "Not yet... ”
"It's even more lively when you have children, and you won't be so homesick." Mom said with a smile.
I wiped away my tears, chatted with my mother for a few words, and said that I was going to accompany my mother-in-law for the New Year. Hanging up the phone, I regained my smile and washed my face out.
My mother-in-law saw that my face was much better, and said with a smile, "Come, let's go to the temple to worship and pray for peace and happiness in the coming year." ”
I nodded, followed my mother-in-law and husband out and got into the car. As the car drove out of the village, I looked out the window at the familiar river and fields, and remembered the scene of playing by the river with my parents in the past, and I couldn't help but feel a lot of emotion.
The car soon arrived at the big temple in the county seat. It was already crowded with people, and everyone was rushing to the temple with fruit plates.
"May the Spring Festival be a happy marriage and a happy family!" My mother-in-law reverently kowtowed in front of the shrine, and my husband and I followed suit.
When I got home, my mother-in-law said excitedly: "I also prepared a table of delicious food, let's have a happy Chinese New Year's Eve tonight!" ”
I smiled and accompanied my mother-in-law to busy the front and back, but I was still thinking about my mother's family. If I could, I would like to have a reunion dinner with my parents in the old house, and then watch the Spring Festival Gala together, talking and laughing, how warm it is.
But I've been married here for five years, and I have to put the feelings of my in-laws first.
In the evening, our family sat around the TV and my mother-in-law served a table of steaming food. I put a chopstick dish into my husband's bowl: "Husband, let's go."
"Okay, the dishes made by our Xiaofang are the best!" My husband complimented me with a smile.
The mother-in-law also said happily: "Xiaofang is the virtuous helper of our family, and we will teach good sons and daughters in the future, and bless you to have a baby as soon as possible!" ”
I blushed a little and smiled and said, "Thank you, mother-in-law!" ”
At that moment, my phone rang suddenly, and I saw that it was a video call from my father.
I picked up my phone and hid on the balcony and whispered, "Dad, I can't talk too long today, I'm celebrating the New Year at my mother-in-law's house." ”
"I know, just say Happy New Year to you, and besides, your mother is not feeling well and may have to go to the hospital.
"What? Mom is sick? I asked anxiously.
"It may be a cold, a low-grade fever, it's not a big problem, don't worry." Dad comforted me.
My tears fell again: "Dad, I'm sorry, I'm not at home with you at this time. ”
"Child, don't blame yourself, you are now someone else's daughter-in-law, and you must put your husband's family first." Dad said earnestly.
I knew my dad was right, but I still had mixed feelings. We said a few words and hung up the phone in a hurry.
When I returned to the dining table, my mother-in-law looked at me with a worried face and asked with concern, "Xiaofang, what's the matter?" ”
I whispered, "It's just that my mom is a little unwell, and my dad said he might have to go to the hospital." ”
"That's okay, I'll be fine when I go to the hospital." My mother-in-law comforted me, "Don't worry, my mother is sick and my father will take care of her."
I barely managed to squeeze out a smile, but my heart was inexplicably unsteady. Lying in bed at night, I tossed and turned and couldn't sleep, always thinking about home.
The next morning, I called my mother, but there was no answer. I was a little anxious, and I called my dad again, only to find out that my mom was seriously ill and had already moved in.
When I heard the news, my brain buzzed, and my hands and feet trembled. My mother was seriously ill and moved in, which made me extremely worried and blamed myself.
I asked my dad with red eyes, "How is mom doing now?" Could she be in danger? ”
Dad comforted me: "The doctor said that it has been controlled, so don't worry too much." But it will take a few days of observation to be sure.
"Then Dad, you have to pay attention to your body alone, can I go over and accompany you now?" I said anxiously.
"No, no, you can stay at your mother-in-law's house for the New Year, we can do it ourselves." Dad still let me stay at my in-law's house.
I hung up the phone, tears welling up in my eyes. My husband saw that I was not in the right mood and put his arm around me with concern and asked what was going on.
My husband was also very anxious, he said: "That's it, my mother-in-law is fine, I'll drive you back to visit your mother for two days, and then we'll come back for the New Year."
I was ecstatic and thanked me repeatedly. We discussed it, and then told my mother-in-law about my mother's illness and the idea that we wanted to go back to take care of her.
"You've just been married for a few years, and the Chinese New Year is a lively day for the family, how can you leave home at this time?" The mother-in-law said solemnly.
My husband and I begged my mother-in-law for permission, but she was tough. I was sad, but could only accept reality.
That night, I called my dad and told him that I was forced to stay here by my mother-in-law and couldn't go back. Dad understood my difficulties and reassured me that he would take care of Mom.
I couldn't leave, but I was very worried about my mother. The next morning, I called the hospital to ask how my mother was doing.
After hanging up the phone, I held back my stomach of grievances and distress.
At this time, my mother-in-law came to care for me: "Xiaofang, don't worry, I believe that the doctor and your father can take care of your mother."
I choked up and nodded: "Thank you mother-in-law for your understanding." I'll be relieved. ”
For the next few days, I kept an eye on what was going on at home. Fortunately, my mother's condition has gradually improved, and she is out of danger, and I am a little relieved.
This incident made me understand that I have married into this family, and I must take care of my in-laws wholeheartedly, and I can't just think about myself and my mother's family.
I will be more attentive to this family and make my mother-in-law happy.
One day after the Chinese New Year, my mother finally came out of the hospital, and her condition was basically stable. I talked to her on the phone and talked to her a lot, and my tone was full of relief and relief.
After hanging up the phone, I thought to myself that after the Spring Festival, I must find a time to go back to my parents' house to visit my parents and have a good reunion with them.
I didn't mention this idea to my in-laws for the time being, for fear that they would not agree. But I've made up my mind that I'm going to see my parents anyway.
A week after the Chinese New Year, my in-laws were going to attend a relative's wedding and suggested that I go with them. I was delighted to think that this was a great opportunity to go back to my parents' home!
So I lied to my in-laws, saying that I was a little unwell and wanted to stay at home and rest. Although my in-laws were a little hesitant, they agreed to let me stay.
I watched them leave excitedly, and immediately called my mom and dad to say that I finally had time to go home and see them!
My father and mother were excited, and said with a smile that they had prepared my favorite hometown dishes and would wait for me to go back and have a good reunion with the family.
I picked up my luggage and got on the bus home alone. After a six-hour drive, I finally came to the town that I knew so well, and here are the bits and pieces of my growth.
When I walked into the house, my mother was already waiting at the door. She was still so skinny, but she looked much healthier than she had been during the Chinese New Year.
"Mom!" I threw myself into my mother's arms with excitement, tears welling up in my eyes.
"Baby, welcome home!" My mother also hugged me and cried.
Three days was so short for me and my parents, but it meant a lot. We poured out our thoughts and words for the past five years.
My mother cooked many of my favorite dishes as a child, and we talked and laughed as we ate.
On the last day, my dad took me to the station and watched me get on the train.
"Dad, I'm sorry, I've only been back for three days this time... I say apologetically.
"Silly girl, the most important thing is to know that you are safe and happy." Dad patted my head, "Come back and see us when you're free." ”
I nodded, tears welling up in my eyes. The car started, and I watched my dad disappear from view, and my heart was mixed.
It was late at night when I got back to my in-laws' house. My in-laws hadn't slept yet, and asked me with concern if I was feeling better. I said that it was all healed and that everything was fine.
The next morning, I got up early in the morning and made a table of my mother-in-law's favorite dishes, which were already on the table when she and her father-in-law got up.
"Oh, our little Fang is so virtuous." My mother-in-law complimented me happily.
I smiled and said, "This is all as it should be, and I will always be filial to you and my father-in-law." ”
After all this, I understand that as a daughter-in-law, I should put the feelings of my in-laws first. But it's also normal for people to go back to their parents' homes to see their parents once in a while.
I will handle this emotion well and be a good daughter-in-law who satisfies both family members. The family affection that blood is thicker than water will never change.
When I came back, I put all my heart into taking care of my in-laws and husband. I learned to cook my mother-in-law's favorite dishes, wear my mother-in-law's favorite clothes, and try to make her happy.
One day, my mother-in-law suddenly said to me: "Xiaofang, I see you in my eyes all these years when you have married into our family. You are kind-hearted and love our husband and wife.
I was overjoyed and quickly knelt down to thank my mother-in-law for her understanding.
From then on, I was able to go back to my parents' house for a few days every Chinese New Year. My mother-in-law gradually relieved herself and no longer adhered to the traditional concept of "water spilled by her married daughter", but put my feelings first.
Later, my husband and I had two lovely children. Every year for the Chinese New Year, we would drive back to my mother's house and then go to my husband's house to pay New Year's greetings.
The happiest thing for my mother-in-law is to celebrate the New Year with her grandchildren. She would smile and say to me, "Thanks to your insistence on asking to go back to your parents' house for the New Year, otherwise I wouldn't have seen these lovely babies."
I was also filled with emotion. At the beginning, I insisted on going back to my parents' house for the New Year, and although my mother-in-law was a little unhappy, she reluctantly agreed.
Today, the children have become the strongest bond between our two families. Every festive season, we get together and have a good time.
When I hugged my grandson and told my mother-in-law about the old days, she would smile and say, "People, the feelings are all the same."
The more communication and understanding, the more joy will naturally come.
I nodded and said with emotion: "Mother-in-law, I am so lucky to marry into such a generous and accessible family. ”
Over the years, my mother-in-law's thinking has been sublimated, and my relationship with my mother's family has become more and more harmonious. All of this stems from my small insistence at the beginning and my mother-in-law's last accommodating concession.
Understanding and tolerance are so important in life. This also made me see that as long as you communicate with your heart, any obstacle can be overcome and any misunderstanding can be eliminated.
Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, I have lived in this big family for 20 years.
The children grew up, one worked in the city, and the other went to a university in the north. They have gradually become independent and no longer always cling to me and my in-laws.
My husband and I are also over half a hundred years old, and both of our parents have passed away for many years. At this time, the two of us cherish each other's company.
Just yesterday, my husband said to me, "Wife, after we retire, should we move to the city to live with our children?" I don't think we have anything to do in the countryside, so it's better to go to the city to retire.
I was silent for a long time, then shook my head: "The children have their own lives, and we will disturb them if we go."
My husband readily agreed to my idea.
In fact, the reason why I want to stay in the countryside is because I can't bear to live here.
This old house has witnessed the whole process of my growth from a young girl, to a wife, and then to old age.
Every corner of the house has memories of joy and sadness for me and my family. It's like an old friend who quietly accompanies me, and I really can't bear to leave.
What's more, my maiden home is not far away. I can't leave my ancestral home behind.
Over the years, I have often visited my parents' house, cleaned the house, and took care of the flowers and trees in the front yard. I can't let my mother's house be abandoned like this, it's where I grew up, and there are so many memories here.
Last night, I came to my mother's old house alone and sat in the yard.
Suddenly, I heard a familiar shout: "Auntie, I'm back to see you!" ”
I stood up in surprise and saw the little Huanhuan next door running towards me happily.
It turned out that when I went back to the countryside, I would always bring some snacks to visit him. We are like family.
Seeing the familiar Xiao Huanhuan, my eyes suddenly moistened.
I know, I am a tree in this land after all, and I can't leave.
Life is like a reincarnation, and the end is back to the beginning. My life has come full circle, and I have returned to this small home.