The morning sun shines through the curtains on the bed, warm and pleasant. I lazily rolled over and slowly opened my eyes.
I couldn't help but laugh out loud when I thought of this.
My son works in the field and rarely has the opportunity to come back to visit us. Nevertheless, he was always able to spend precious time with us during festivals and important days.
However, this time is different, my son always comes to our house empty-handed.
"Son, you didn't bring a gift this time." I looked at my son and said with a smile.
"Dad, do you want me to bring you a gift again?" The son replied with a smile.
"Haha, of course. Seeing that you are so well-behaved, what's wrong with bringing me a little gift? I jokingly said.
"Dad, do you know how much financial pressure my daughter-in-law and I have? Now the price of the child's milk powder has increased, and our family has no money to spare.
I nodded silently, knowing that my son was telling the truth. Now that the economic situation is not good, prices are rising, and my son's salary is stretched, I really don't have much spare money to do other things.
The son brought his grandson this time, a cute three-year-old boy. I couldn't be happy to see my grandson. I picked up my grandson and kissed him lightly on the cheek.
"Son, didn't you buy us anything this time?" The daughter-in-law looked at her son and said with some complaints.
"Mom, don't blame me. Our family is in financial difficulties right now, and you should understand it. The son said angrily.
I was distraught by their quarrels. I know that although my son is not wealthy, he is also a family person, and he will not come back without gifts for no reason.
When I arrived at their in-laws' home, I knocked respectfully on the door. "Excuse me, is your little flower there?" I asked politely.
"You're looking for Xiaohua, she's in there. Please come in, please come in. The in-laws said enthusiastically.
I walked into the house and saw my son's daughter-in-law, Xiaohua. When Xiaohua saw me, her face showed a hint of embarrassment.
"Xiaohua, I'm here to find you. Every time my son came back, he was empty-handed, and he didn't have any small gifts.
I asked with concern.
Xiaohua lowered her head and lowered her eyes. She said softly, "Uncle, we do have difficulties. My son and I don't have a lot of money, and we have enough money to worry about every month.
You are elders, and I am embarrassed to ask you for money. Xiaohua's voice was full of helplessness and grievance.
I shook my head gently and sighed deeply. It turned out that their life was not as good as I imagined, and they also had a lot of troubles and stress.
"Xiaohua, I understand your difficulties. You are relatives of my family, if you have any difficulties, you should have told us early.
I said earnestly.
After listening to my words, Xiaohua slowly raised her head. Her eyes moistened and filled with gratitude.
"Uncle, thank you for understanding us. We know you've been nice to us, but we don't want to burden you.
"Xiaohua, this is not a burden, this is family affection. We are a family, and helping each other is the most important thing. If there is any difficulty in the future, you must not hold it in your heart, tell us in time, and we will lend a hand.
After hearing this, Xiaohua smiled with satisfaction. "Thank you, uncle, we will remember your words." She said.
Gradually, my relationship with Xiaohua became closer, and we often exchanged experiences and questions about family life.
This experience has taught me that family affection is the most important thing. No matter how many difficulties and strife there are in life, only family affection can give us the greatest support and strength.
Xiaohua and I spent more and more time together, and gradually established a mother-daughter relationship. We talk about family, children, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationships together, etc., and often confide in each other.
Once, my son was busy with work and heard that he had to work late hours. I knew he must not have time to cook dinner, so I called Xiaohua and invited her and the children to come to my house for dinner.
In the evening of the same day, Xiaohua came to my house with the child. I made a hearty meal and waited for them to arrive.
"Dad, why are you here too? Xiaohua, why didn't you tell me? There was a hint of anger on his son's face.
"Didn't I call you? I can't cook, so I'll come to your dad's for dinner. "Judging from the reaction, my son didn't know that I invited Xiaohua to come.
My son's face was a little unsightly, and I hurriedly explained: "Son, you have to work overtime very late today, and I am afraid that you will not have time to cook, so I invited Xiaohua over."
The son sighed softly and didn't say anything more, just sat down at the table and ate in silence. Xiaohua felt the awkwardness of the atmosphere, and did not speak, focusing on taking care of the child.
After dinner, the son got up to leave.
"Dad, I'm really busy tonight and don't have time to stay here. Keep eating. The son hurriedly finished speaking, and then turned and left.
Looking at my son's back, I sighed a little helplessly. Maybe he was embarrassed and unhappy that I invited Xiaohua to dinner.
The next day, I went to my son's house, intending to find a chance to talk to him. But the moment I entered the house, I was stunned by what I saw.
I saw that my son and Xiaohua were arguing about something, and their tone was fierce. The son pointed at Xiaohua's nose and scolded: "You will learn as a child, and nothing else!" You think you're great now that you're a college student? My family has always been my breadwinner, what great qualifications do you have to dictate in front of me! ”。
Xiaohua couldn't cry: "I also know the economic situation of our family, and I am trying my best to do housework part-time, also to reduce your burden."
Hearing this, I hurriedly stepped forward, intending to stop their quarrel. When my son saw me, he bowed his head with some remorse.
"Dad, it's me who is wrong. I know you've always been nice to us, and I shouldn't have treated Xiaohua like this. The son confessed.
I waved my hand and said softly, "Son, the family is a whole, and we should understand and respect each other. Xiaohua is just for the future of the child, she has no other meaning.
Listening to my words, my son's face showed a trace of remorse and guilt. He took Xiaohua's hand and apologized, "Xiaohua, I'm sorry, what I just said was too much.
Xiaohua wiped the tears from her face, smiled and said, "Son, since you understand, it's fine." We are a family, difficulties are only temporary, we have to support each other and get through it together.
Watching them quietly reconcile, I was secretly glad that I had intervened in the quarrel in time. There will inevitably be conflicts and disputes in the family, but the key lies in how we deal with and resolve them.
After communicating with my son's daughter-in-law, Xiaohua, I have a deeper understanding of them and a stronger belief in the importance of family affection.
One afternoon, I was basking in the sun in the yard, and I was in a particularly good mood. Suddenly, my son hurried into the courtyard and looked at me with a serious face.
"Dad, I have something to discuss with you." There was a slight worry on his son's face.
"What's the matter? Say, Dad will help you share the burden. I smiled and encouraged him.
"Dad, Xiaohua and I have encountered some difficulties recently, and we really can't solve them. I'd like to talk to you about moving to your house for a while? The son hesitated.
My brow furrowed, it was an unexpected question. Although my son's family is nervous, my family's living environment is relatively small, and there is always friction between me and my daughter-in-law, so I don't know how to answer for a while.
"Son, why did you move to my house? Isn't there any other way? I asked tentatively.
I was silent for a moment, but there was a hesitation in my heart. After all, there is some estrangement between me and my daughter-in-law, and getting along for a long time can lead to more conflict.
"Okay, you can stay at my house for the time being, but we have to communicate well, understand each other, and stop conflicts over small things.
After hearing this, the son finally showed a smile of relief on his face. I knew it was a major turning point for them and an opportunity for me to rebuild my relationship with my daughter-in-law.
With the arrival of his son's family, the family instantly became lively. The laughter of the grandson filled the room, as if a joyful atmosphere was sprinkled.
Slowly, the conflict between me and my daughter-in-law began to ease. We tolerate each other and learn to listen and understand each other's difficulties and needs.
The power of family affection gradually dissolved the estrangement between us, and our relationship became more and more harmonious.
However, just when we thought everything would calm down, an unexpected piece of news shattered this rosy illusion of family unity.
"What's the matter? Why do you look serious? I asked, a little worried.
"Yes, I came across a business opportunity out there, and with just a bit of investment, it was possible to get a high return.
The son said helplessly.
"Son, what's wrong with you? How can you just throw money into it? Although we are not rich in our current life, we must also look at the problem rationally.
I was surprised, I didn't expect my son to complain like this. I feel that I may indeed be too protective and interfering in my children's decision-making as they grow up.
The son didn't say anything more, he lowered his head and walked out of the kitchen in silence. I wanted to go to him and talk to him, but seeing his dissatisfaction and disappointment with us made me feel like a knife.
The atmosphere of the dinner became very awkward, and we all ate in silence, no longer with the joy and pleasure we had before.
I couldn't help but ask myself, was there something wrong with me as a father?
My relationship with my son's daughter-in-law, Xiaohua, is getting better and better, and we often exchange experiences and problems in family life together.
Once, our family was invited to a relative's house. It was a very solemn occasion where many relatives gathered.
"Son, didn't you say that you don't have any extra money to buy gifts this time? Why is there it now? I asked, a little confused.
The son chuckled and explained, "Dad, this time it's Xiaohua's idea. She said that we must bring a heart to our relatives, although we have some difficulties in life, but gifts are not necessarily expensive, what matters is heart.
I smiled at Xiaohua and nodded, my heart full of emotion. Xiaohua's previous frugality was not due to pettiness, but because they did have financial difficulties.
At the party, the son and Xiaohua generously gave gifts, and the relatives also expressed their gratitude. Xiaohua has also been praised and loved by relatives for this.
This experience made me understand that family affection is not only material communication and support, but more importantly, spiritual connection and understanding.