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I am a recent graduate student named Li Mei. During the four years of hard study, I studied hard and Xi, looking forward to one day getting a master's degree and realizing my dream. I also cherish my relationship with my boyfriend Zhang Qiang and am loyal to him. Eventually, I got my master's degree. I excitedly sent Zhang Qiang a WeChat message: "Husband, I got my graduation certificate! Let's start planning for the future quickly!"
But at my very moment, Zhang Qiang's mother, that is, my mother-in-law Zhang Lian, suddenly called and said scoldingly: "It's great to get the certificate? Why is it useless to study for so many years, it's not for the sake of having children! You hurry up and plan the time, and Mr. will talk about a son!"
I was surprised and said, "Mom, I just graduated, and it's a golden period for a girl's career development." Having a baby can be pushed back. ”
The mother-in-law immediately became furious: "You useless thing, you know that work development, and having children is your only obligation! If you don't give birth, don't ask my family for a penny if you starve to death in the future!"
I thought my husband would come out to help me speak, but he only said coldly, "She's for your good." Hurry up and listen to the mother, have a baby. ”
I was disappointed. I begged with red eyes: "Husband, this is a matter for the two of us, you can't just decide like this, right? I also have my own ideas and ambitions!"
But Zhang Qiang was resolute: "What's so great about your career, having a child is a serious matter." Hurry up and make it clear to my mother, stop talking hard!" Seeing that my husband's attitude was so resolute, I could only helplessly bow my head in front of my mother-in-law and admit my mistake. My mother-in-law immediately became smug and began to point fingers at my birth plan.
"You're 26 years old, you have to give me a grandchild before you're 28!" The mother-in-law said solemnly, "Mr. one, and then I want another one every two years, and I must give birth to two! After giving birth, you will be responsible for taking care of the children, and you are not allowed to go out to work again!"
I felt very uncomfortable, but in the face of the double pressure of my mother-in-law and husband, I had to give in.
In the days that followed, I started taking folic acid, started monitoring ovulation, and was single-mindedly preparing to conceive and have children. Finally, after a year of marriage, I was able to get pregnant. It was a hard time to be pregnant, I was nauseous and retching every morning, my face was pale and listless. My mother-in-law didn't care about my physical condition at all, and she still worried about housework and kept calling me. "You're not in labor yet, don't get pregnant in that delicate state! Hurry up downstairs to buy vegetables and sweep the floor!" My mother-in-law scolded me impatiently. I could only brace myself and go out shopping and complete all the housework with great discomfort. The pain of pregnancy and the pressure of my mother-in-law tormented me, and my face became more and more pale and thin, and my mental state deteriorated.
I finally made it to the day of delivery, and after a long 12 hours of painful contractions, I finally gave birth to a baby. The mother-in-law was overjoyed and immediately hugged the baby to check the gender. Seeing that it was a little boy, she smiled happily and said to me: "Okay, you haven't raised it in vain! Hurry up and raise this precious grandson for me so that the Zhang family's incense can be passed on!" I lay weakly on the hospital bed, my heart full of helplessness and grievances. Only then did I realize that in my mother-in-law's mind, I was just a fertility tool.
"What's the matter with you, you can't bring a baby when you give birth, do you? You know how to eat white food all day long, and you can't even take care of your own children!" I was exhausted, but I still fought hard and worked day and night to take care of the baby and do the housework. However, my mental state deteriorated, and I was emaciated and emaciated like a walking corpse.
"You're so unreasonable!" I cried out in despair, "Why do you have to deprive me of all my life and use me as a tool? I just want to live an ordinary life!" Unexpectedly, my mother-in-law slapped me and roared angrily: "Where did you learn to be so arrogant? I am doing it for your own good, so that you can have a happy family, you are good, you have to do it with me!" I covered my hot face, and tears welled up in my eyes. I couldn't stand the oppression and insults from my mother-in-law, so I immediately decided to divorce my husband.
I came to my husband with my two children in my arms, slammed the divorce agreement on his desk, and choked up: "Your mother tramples on my dignity like this, I really can't live in such an environment anymore! If you choose to stand on your mother's side, then we can only divorce!"
I thought my husband would keep me, but he just glanced at the agreement indifferently and signed it directly.
"Since you've chosen divorce, the worst option, let's go. He said with a blank face.
I broke down instantly and cried loudly: "How can you do this to our mother and son?!" We're your family!"
My husband stared at me with a cold look: "My mother is the only one in my family." If you are disobedient, you are to blame. ”
It dawned on me that in my husband's heart, the status of me and the children was not as good as his mother, and we were dispensable. In desperation, I rushed out the door with my two children in my arms.
After the divorce, I raised two children on my own and lived a small life. During the day, I had to go out to work to support my family, and at night I had to take care of the children's daily life. I'm exhausted, and my monthly living expenses are just enough. But I never regretted that I chose to divorce and be independent, at least I regained the right to be myself. As I watched my two children grow up healthy and happy, I felt that all my efforts were worth it.
Day after day, three years passed quickly. The children are also getting older and starting kindergarten. At this time, my husband's mother, my mother-in-law, Zhang Lian, suddenly called and asked me to go home to take care of her.
I was surprised and asked coldly, "What's wrong with your body?"
With that, I hung up. I let out a long breath, as if I had lifted a boulder from my shoulder. I finally stopped hating her, and I didn't care about her anymore. I want to live well and happily.
I began to actively enroll my two children in various interest classes, personally teaching them Xi musical instruments, calligraphy, and art, so that they could learn a variety of skills in Xi happy middle school. I also signed up for a group session of counselling to share my experiences with a group of sisters who were going through similar experiences to me. Gradually, I was no longer bothered by the pain of the past, and I showed a confident and cheerful personality.
Life is like an adventure in the sea. You and I may both encounter rough seas, but so what? If you move forward bravely, you will see the magnificent scenery of the sea and the sky. As I watched my children grow up happily beside me, I felt that all the hardships were worth it. Who says a woman has to be attached to someone else's wings in order to live a wonderful life? I want the world to know that a woman who works alone can live a colorful life. Time flies, and in a blink of an eye, the children are all in elementary school. My life is gradually getting back on track, and my work and family are relatively smooth. It's just that occasionally in the dead of night, I still think of the unbearable bits and pieces of the past. After all, those years took up the best years of my youth. Although the pain is no longer painful, I still feel a faint melancholy in my heart when I think about it occasionally.
At this moment, I suddenly received a strange call, and the voice of a trembling and weak old lady on the other end of the phone. I bit my lip and didn't speak for a while. I have forgiven her, but the painful memory is still vivid. Should I go and see her one last time?
In the end, it was the children who made the decision. "Mom, mother-in-law is not good, shall we go and see her?" The eldest son took my hand and said. "Yes, Mom, how pitiful she is alone!" The youngest daughter also chimed in. Looking at the innocent faces of the children, I sighed softly and decided to meet my mother-in-law.
The moment I saw my mother-in-law again, I couldn't help but redden. Over the years, she has been so old that she can't see her original appearance, she is thin and haggard, and her hair is full of silver. She hugged the children excitedly and cried bitterly, choked up and apologized to us. I was silent, tears streaming down my face. I don't hate her anymore, but I can't erase the pain. I struggled to squeeze out a smile and nodded slightly.
We sat for a while. Before leaving, my mother-in-law took my hand and kept saying "thank you". I looked at her wrinkled face and lonely and sad eyes, and my heart was mixed. I patted her hand gently and turned to leave. As I left, I stood alone in the stairwell, looking at her door, unable to move for a long time. It's not that I don't have a heart, it's just that I can't fully fit someone like her into my world. I still have to live more comfortably after all.
"Mom, what do you think your childhood dream was?" The youngest daughter hugged me and asked sweetly. "I don't think my mother is alive and well now!" The eldest son interjected. I smiled and hugged my two children, tears streaming from my eyes. yes, that's the life I want. Life may not be perfect, but I'm satisfied. I will continue to work hard to create a warm and beautiful home for my children, and they will eventually have a bright future. Watching the children grow up, I gradually revealed the unique charm of a middle-aged woman. I started wearing colored clothes and light makeup. Occasionally, I would go out to party and chat and sing with some independent middle-aged female friends. I began to enjoy this long-lost leisure time, and I felt that life had a new color of hope.
At this moment, by chance, I met Mr. Dong, a primary school teacher. He was personable, suave, and at first glance a well-educated intellectual. Our two families began to meet frequently, and I gradually fell in love with Mr. Dong.
"Have you ever thought about finding your other half?" At a party, Mr. Dong asked me mysteriously.
"Actually, I admire you as an independent woman. Mr. Dong looked me in the eye affectionately and said, "If you are willing to give me a chance, I want to be with you." ”
"You don't have to give me an answer right away. Mr. Dong said thoughtfully, "I can wait." I understand your concerns. I nodded, looked deeply into his eyes, and was speechless for a long time.
When I got home, I was caught in an ambivalent psychological struggle. Reason tells me that Mr. Dong is a very good candidate and I should not miss it. But emotionally, I was still guarding against getting hurt again.
"Mom, do you like Uncle Dong?" My youngest daughter asked me suddenly before going to bed.
I was stunned and asked softly, "Why do you ask that?"
"Because every time you see Uncle Dong, your eyes will light up. The daughter said sweetly.
It dawned on me. It turned out that before I knew it, I had made a choice in my heart. I fell in love with Mr. Dong, a warm and steady person.
So, with the repeated encouragement of the children, I mustered up the courage and agreed to Mr. Dong's pursuit. We began to communicate cautiously. Mr. Dong was very considerate to me, he gave me space at the right time without forcing me to make any commitments. Under his care, I gradually healed my inner wounds and became more and more dependent on him.
In this way, after two years of dating, Mr. Dong finally proposed to me. When he knelt down on one knee and held out the small ring box, I was so excited that I couldn't speak, and I could only nod with tears in my eyes. In the presence of the children, we had a simple wedding at the church. I put on my wedding dress and looked into Mr. Dong's gentle eyes, and I was as happy as a dream.
The first days of the wedding were so beautiful, as if I had made up for all these years of missing romance and sweetness. Mr. Dong treated me like a first lover and would take me to a different place for a date every weekend. We will also take the children to the playground together, like the most ordinary little family. Compared to the tiredness, depression, and despair of my previous life, my life has never been so fulfilling.
I also quit my job after I got married to focus more time and energy on taking care of my new family. Mr. Dong not only treats my children as his own, but also takes care of their growth with me. Under his psychological counseling, the two little ones also slowly walked out of the shadow of their biological father's departure and became more and more sunny and cheerful. Looking at their smiling faces, I sincerely feel that I have no regrets in life.
Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, my children are in middle school. They began to have their own little secrets, and they no longer clinged to me as they used to. Watching the children grow up, I can't help but feel a faint sense of melancholy. Mr. Dong smiled and squeezed my hand, just like every moment of care and love over the years.
"Don't be sad, we still have a long life. He said softly. I leaned quietly in the crook of my husband's arm and watched the youthful figures of the two children with affection. After all these ups and downs, I finally found my true belonging. I believe that children will also have a beautiful and splendid life. When I spend my twilight years surrounded by my lover and children, I will surely feel fulfilled and fulfilled in life. In the blink of an eye, the children successfully graduated from high school and were admitted to a good university. Before leaving, the two children kissed me and Mr. Dong on the cheeks, and their eyes were red: "Mom, you have to take care of yourself." We will study hard and Xi well, and when we grow up, we will definitely let you and Uncle Dong live a happy old age!"
I was so excited that I couldn't speak, and I could only reluctantly watch them leave with tears in my eyes.
"Don't worry, our kids are so good that they're going to do well. Mr. Dong gently put his arm around my shoulder and comforted. I wiped away my tears, nodded, and watched the children board the bus. They waved goodbye with confident smiles on their faces. Yes, they will eventually live the life they want. And I had to learn to let go and give them freedom and space.
After a few years of children leaving home to go to school, Mr. Dong and I gradually entered the empty nest period. We began to have more time and money to take care of ourselves. Thanks to Mr. Dong, we moved into a more upscale apartment. I also started trying things that I didn't have the time and money to do before. I signed up for a sketching class and went to sketch indoors and outdoors at regular intervals every week; I also went to a yoga dance class to try to make myself more flexible. Mr. Dong taught himself how to cook many dishes, and took care of my appetite every day. At the same time, we also try to take a short weekend trip, such as a night in a homestay in the suburbs. Our lives are much more colorful.
However, the time of happiness is always short-lived. Just as we were enjoying this hard-won comfortable life, Mr. Dong suddenly suffered a stroke and passed out. After being rushed to the hospital, the doctor diagnosed that his condition was not optimistic.
My whole being was devastated. I knelt in front of the hospital bed and held his hand tightly, crying silently: "You can't leave me! You promised me to take care of me forever!" In this way, my dear Mr. Dong left me unexpectedly. I lost the most important support in my life, and the whole world went dark.
Fortunately, the children came back in time to accompany and take care of me. With their comfort, I gradually came out of the shadow of pain and faced life again. I can't bask in grief forever, especially when I still have two children who need me. I knew I had to pick myself up and make the most of my time with the kids.
Watching my children start a family, I began to adjust to living on my own. Perhaps when people reach their twilight years, their greatest happiness is to be surrounded by children and grandchildren. I will grasp every moment with them, turn the difficulties and pains of the past into stories, tell them the truth of life, and guide them in the direction of growth. And when one day my hair is gray and my face is withered, I will also pass away contentedly. Because I will have no regrets.
The road of life will not be easy, but I have learned to stand firm in the storm. I have experienced the incomprehension of my family and the death of my loved ones, but I still bravely come to this day. I want to thank God for giving me the opportunity to start over; Thank you for the frustrations and hardships that allowed me to grow again; Thank you to all the people who have appeared in my life. They have made my life extraordinary. And these will become my spiritual wealth for future generations.