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My name is Li Fenglan and I am 65 years old this year. Ten years ago, my only son, Xiao Ming, left me alone in his hometown in order to take care of his parents-in-law. I remember that day, my daughter-in-law said to me with red eyes: "Mom, I'm really sorry, we have a small place here, and it's really inconvenient to add another person." We will send you living expenses every month, and you can go back to your hometown to live. ”
I asked in disbelief, "Fengfeng, what do you mean by this? Don't you want me to live here anymore?"
The daughter-in-law said with tears in her eyes: "Mom, it's hard for us to do it, my father-in-law and mother are old and need someone to take care of us, and our house is small." And you're still strong, so it's easy to go back to your hometown. ”
In this way, I returned to my hometown on a sunny day. My wife has passed away a long time ago, and I am the only one in the empty old house. My son, they sent me very little money for my living expenses, just enough to fill my stomach. The pots and pans on the stove have long been full of dust, and I, an old lady, have to do all the housework, and sometimes I am physically exhausted, and I will lie on the ground for a long time. I was most afraid of getting sick, and once I got sick, the medical expenses became astronomical. I couldn't go to the hospital, so I had to endure the pain. My teeth were almost gone, and I had several large sores in my mouth, and I had to hold the mirror and try to squeeze it myself. When the pain was unbearable, I lay on the pillow and cried silently.
Day after day, ten years passed. The past ten years have been full of struggle and despair for me. I live in fear, like a trapeze artist walking on a rope. I've had a hard time all these years, but I've never complained about my son. Because in my heart, he will always be my most beloved baby. Until the other day, something happened to me that made me desperate.
I was home alone that day when my phone rang. I picked it up and saw that it was my son. He rarely called over the years. I picked it up excitedly, and it was a "son" that came out of my mouth. There was silence for a few seconds, and then Xiao Ming's slightly indifferent voice came:
"Mom, I called to inform you that there is something going on in our family in the past two months, and I won't send you living expenses first. Use it frugally. ”
I instantly exploded: "Xiao Ming, what are you talking about? Didn't you just say it a few months ago, did you give a lot of money in the year-end bonus? Why did you suddenly not pay for two months? My rations here are almost gone!"
"Mom, we're really in a bit of trouble here, so let's just go through it first, and then we'll talk about it later!" Xiao Ming said impatiently.
"What kind of trouble can be so serious? Feng Feng and the grandchildren are okay?" I asked anxiously.
"They're fine! It's just that there is something wrong with our company, and I'll hang up first!" Xiao Ming hung up the phone after speaking.
Just when I was sad, I suddenly stumbled, and the whole body threw myself forward, and fell heavily to the ground. I felt a sharp pain in my right leg, and when I looked over it, I saw that my right leg was swollen and obviously fractured. Now I'm even more anxious, my living expenses have been stopped by my son, how much does it cost to treat a leg injury!
"What?" The son was surprised, "Mom, we have a lot of business here, you can ask your old friends to help send you to the hospital, you can take care of the operation fee first, and I will pay you back after this time!"
I couldn't believe my ears, my heart was like a knife, and tears couldn't stop flowing: "Son, are you so ruthless? If I don't treat this injury, I will become disabled for life!
I burst into tears hysterically. While my heart was like a knife, I dragged my broken leg and crawled out the door, waiting for someone to take me to the hospital. In this way, two or three hours were spent in despair, when a strange middle-aged woman came over. Through her teary eyes, I saw that she was holding a photo of my son and daughter-in-law in her hand.
She whispered to me, "Auntie, I am your daughter-in-law's sister Li Qing. I'm sorry I haven't been able to contact you before. In fact, I have seen you live so hard alone, but I don't dare to help you, for fear that my sister will blame me for interfering in her family affairs. But seeing that you have suffered like this, my conscience is not clear. I'll take you to the hospital, and I'll cover all the medical expenses. When you are discharged from the hospital, move in with me. ”
When I heard these words, my heart was filled with mixed feelings, and I felt both warm and hopeless. I was sent to the county hospital by Sister Li Qing. After the doctor's examination, he shook his head and sighed: "Old lady, your leg fracture is very serious, and you need to have surgery immediately." If you drag it for too long, it will deform, and it will be lame for life. ”
I smiled bitterly and said to Li Qing: "My son doesn't agree to the surgery fee, what do you think I should do?"
Li Qing said with a calm face: "Auntie, don't worry about it, my sisters have made money for so many years, and they don't have any humanity." I've seen enough! I've covered all of your surgery fees, so you can recuperate in peace. ”
So with the help of Li Qing, I successfully underwent surgery for a fracture of my right leg. After the surgery, I moved into her house and lived a pampered life. I found that Li Qing was very kind to me and often cooked nutritious meals for me. Eating well and resting well, my body quickly recovered as before.
Just when I thought that I would finally be able to live happily ever after, I stumbled upon a shocking truth.
One day, when I entered Li Qing's study and was looking for a book to read, I accidentally saw the bank passbook on her desk. What caught my eye was a staggering six-figure deposit on her account. Although I only glanced at it, I was almost certain that the money was far more than her and her husband's combined pension and savings.
A terrible speculation came to me. Could it be that the money had something to do with my son's living expenses? I decided to find out.
One day, I tentatively said to Li Qing: "Qingqing, I remember that Xiao Ming used to send me one or two thousand yuan a month for living expenses, but I was so poor, and later I learned that it was my daughter-in-law who withheld most of the money. ”
Li Qing frowned and stopped what he was doing. After a while, she said faintly: "Auntie, I can't bear to tell you the truth." In fact, Xiao Ming's monthly living expenses have always been five figures!"
I was so shocked that I couldn't speak, and the memories of the decade of fighting poverty flashed through my mind. It turned out that my son had always had enough money to make my retirement life carefree, but most of that money was cut off by his wife, and only a few fractions were given to me! For so many years, I was kept in the dark by their mother and son, and I was abused until I was over 60 years old, and Li Qing's sister was my lifeline!
I asked Li Qing bitterly: "Why is my son so cruel? I finally raised him and let him enter middle age, but I was ostracized by him and my daughter-in-law and left homeless!" Li Qing nodded heavily and said, "Auntie, I have seen through the true face of their mother and son. Xiao Ming and my sister have saved hundreds of thousands of yuan of hard-earned money, and often brag in front of their neighbors that they 'can live'. They are just ruthless and abandon the old people who have dedicated their lives to the edge of life. ”
I listened to it, and I only felt that five thunders were thundering. It turns out that my only flesh and blood relative has treated me like this, and my nurturing grace is not worth mentioning to him. Thinking of this, I hugged my head in pain, tears welling up in my eyes.
Li Qing gently patted me on the back, as if comforting a helpless child: "Auntie, don't be too sad. Previously you didn't understand what they really are, but now you finally see it. It's also a relief. I will always be by your side and take care of your daily life, so you can go back to your hometown with me. ”
I nodded, followed Li Qing to pack my luggage with tears in my eyes, and bid farewell to the city that had caused me pain for ten years. I bought a small two-story house in my hometown, and every day in addition to walking around the supermarket, I grow my own small flowers and plants. Li Qing often drove over to see me, and often brought me the food she cooked.
My life is much more comfortable, but my heart is still lonely and empty. Sometimes when I lie in bed late at night, I can't help but think about the meaning of life. Did I do something wrong as a mother to be abandoned and ignored by my children? Or is this the cruel truth of the world?
Tears welled up in my eyes. It turns out that in the harsh reality of my life, there are still people who remain kind and tolerant. I suddenly understood the meaning of life, which is to give more love. So from that day on, I signed up for the town's elderly volunteer association and began to help the lonely elderly around me who needed more care than me. I found that when I gave warmth to others, the gloom in my heart was also dispelled. In this way, I began to experience the true meaning of the second half of my life. At the Association of Elderly Volunteers, I have met many elderly people who are as enthusiastic about public welfare as I am. Every week, we spontaneously organize various activities to bring love and warmth to the lonely elderly in the town.
I am responsible for taking care of two old ladies in their 80s, one of them is called Liu Ma and the other is Zhao Ma. Both of them live alone, and their children are away from home, and they rarely come back to see them. I go to their house at least three times a week to clean them, cook, chat, and walk in the park with them. Liu's mother's legs and feet are not very dexterous, so I pushed her wheelchair and walked slowly in the park. Zhao's mother didn't have good hearing, so I patiently talked to her loudly. I did my best to bring them a little joy and warmth, and they would tell me a lot of old stories from their time, and we would laugh when we talked.
In this way, while giving warmth to others, I also healed many wounds in my own heart. I began to learn to be tolerant and grateful, and to cherish every day in the moment.
One day, I suddenly received a phone call, and on the other end of the phone was an unfamiliar male voice: "Mom, I'm Xiao Ming." I heard Aunt Li Qing say, you have been living in your hometown, are you okay?" I was silent, and after a while, I asked him softly, "Are Fengfeng and her grandchildren okay?" I suddenly thought it was all so ridiculous. I said coldly, "Forget it, son, don't talk about it." I'm doing well now, and I'm working with my volunteer friends to help other seniors in need. It's more fun than anything else. ”
I couldn't believe my ears. It turns out that the person who was so resolute and tough when he left me alone in his hometown still has the face to ask me to go back and help take care of the children? Am I their nanny? I couldn't help but laugh angrily: "Xiao Ming, my flesh and blood relatives, when you were willing to abandon me, why didn't you want to think that I had brought up a few of your brothers and sisters? Now you are willing to let your old mother jump into the fire pit to help you take care of the children for free?" Xiao Ming was hesitant on the other end of the phone, only repeating "Mom, listen to my explanation", but I had completely lost the patience to wait for his explanation. I said indifferently, "Son, I'm doing well now." There are other elderly people who need my love and companionship even more. Settle your family's affairs by yourself. After saying that, I hung up the phone decisively. Stroking my wrinkled hands, I felt calmer than I had ever been. I understand the true meaning of old age, that is, to learn to be tolerant, to be grateful, and to learn to give love. I will continue to help other elderly people in need in the volunteer association until the last moment of my life.
It made me understand that since I was worthless in their eyes, there was no need for me to worry about their affairs. I want to live more freely and live a life of my own.
The old people also had red eyes. We decided to send someone to visit my grandmother every week, bring her food and clothes, and do everything we can to help her through the last days of her life.
I began to think all the time, in this corner of the world, how many old people who have been abandoned due to old age are waiting to die in loneliness? I think of myself, and my old friends, we still have healthy bodies and abundant energy, so we should pass on time and love, so that the last journey of life is warm and dignified.
In this way, time passed, and in a blink of an eye, I was 80 years old. But my spirit seems to have returned to the prime of my youth. My old friends and I have been devoting ourselves to public welfare for a long time, and we get far more satisfaction than when we were young and running for a career or family. I often proudly say to my grandchildren: "My current life is richer and more wonderful than reading thousands of books and walking thousands of miles!" They also admired my courage and strength to move forward with optimism.
The motto of life that I often recite silently is: Live to be old, learn to be old. I finally understood the true meaning of love and tolerance. They need to be nurtured in despair 774 and 2354 in tribulation. I, who was abandoned by my only flesh and blood,23 am now the happiest person in the world in 1723.