On a sunny afternoon six years ago, the sun shone through the cracks of the old locust trees and dappled the courtyard of the old house. On this day, it should have been peaceful and beautiful, but it became unusual because of the fight between the two children.
I am the patriarch of this family, and I am over 70 years old. My grandson Xiao Ming and my grandson Xiao Gang are about the same age, both seven or eight years old are naughty years. The two of them have played together since they were young, and they are like brothers, but occasionally they will quarrel and even fight like most children.
That day, Xiao Ming and Xiao Gang fought again over a toy car. I heard their cries in the house and hurried out on crutches. I saw Xiao Ming being pushed to the ground, while Xiao Gang was standing aside with a stubborn expression on his face. I was immediately furious, thinking: Why is this grandson so domineering, even beating his own cousin!
In a fit of anger, I stepped forward and gave Xiao Gang a slap. The slap was so heavy that Xiao Gang's face immediately left five red finger prints. He stared at me with wide eyes, as if he couldn't believe I was going to hit him. I was also stunned, looking at my hands, and my heart was mixed.
Xiaogang ran away crying, and I stood in place, feeling both regret and helplessness. I knew I shouldn't have been so impulsive, but I couldn't hold back in that situation.
That night, Xiao Gang didn't go home for dinner. I heard that he was picked up by his son-in-law, and I felt even more uncomfortable. I know that this slap not only hit Xiao Gang's face, but also hit his son-in-law's heart.
In the days that followed, I was constantly reflecting on my actions. I wanted to apologize to Xiaogang, but I didn't feel like I had the face to see him. At the same time, I began to worry about my relationship with my son-in-law. Will he hold a grudge against me for this? Will he not let me see Xiaogang again in the future?
Time passed, but the torment in my heart did not lessen in the slightest. Whenever I see Xiao Ming playing without Xiao Gang's figure, I will think of that impulsive behavior that afternoon.
One day, six years later, I suddenly received a call from my son-in-law. He warmly invited me to his house on the phone, saying that he wanted to prepare a big meal for me. I was both surprised and apprehensive in my heart, and I didn't know what kind of medicine my son-in-law was selling in the gourd.
When I arrived at my son-in-law's house, I was stunned by what I saw. I saw that the table was full of all kinds of delicacies, and the aroma was fragrant. My son-in-law greeted me with a smile on his face, as if the incident six years ago had never happened.
"Dad, you're here! Please sit down and try my handiwork. My son-in-law warmly beckoned me to sit down.
I sat down stiffly, my mind going up and down. I don't know why my son-in-law entertained me so ceremoniously, did he have any intentions?
"Dad, in fact, I want you to come today to apologize to you. The son-in-law said suddenly.
I was stunned, I didn't expect my son-in-law to say that.
"The incident six years ago was that I didn't teach Xiao Gang well and let him fight with Xiao Ming. When you slapped him, you actually taught him a lesson for me. Over the years, I have been reflecting on my responsibilities as a father, and I have been trying to make up for Xiaogang's lack of education. The son-in-law said sincerely.
I listened to my son-in-law's words, and my heart was mixed. I didn't expect my son-in-law to be so reasonable, and I didn't expect him to take the initiative to apologize to me.
"Actually, I'm at fault. I shouldn't have hit Xiaogang so impulsively. I whispered.
"Dad, it's all over. Now that we can sit down and eat together as a family, that's the best outcome. The son-in-law said with a smile.
At that moment, I felt the warmth and affection that I had not felt for a long time. I know that this meal is not only a meal, but also my son-in-law's tolerance and understanding towards me.
Since then, I've started to appreciate the time I spend with my family even more. I've learned to control my emotions and stop getting angry easily. At the same time, I also tried to make up for the relationship with Xiaogang and try to accompany him as much as possible to grow up.
Looking back on that time now, I still feel emotional. Although that slap hit Xiao Gang in the face, it also woke me up, an old man. It made me realize the importance of family harmony and my own responsibility in it. At the same time, I would also like to thank my son-in-law for his tolerance and generosity, who allowed me to regain the warmth and happiness of my family.