My name is Uncle Wang, I am a retired teacher in my 60s. Retirement is supposed to be a clean world, but this weekend has caused me a lot of trouble. My daughter Wang Fang and son Wang Gang sat across from me, and I could see the unquestionable persistence on their faces in the warm yellow light.
"Dad, the class reunion is a good opportunity, you can see what your old friends are busy with, and increase your knowledge!" Wang Fang's tone was always relaxed and happy.
Wang Gang chimed in: "That's right, Dad, maybe you can learn a little from their pension experience." ”
I hesitated, and I had mixed feelings in my heart: "Children, vanity abounds in class reunions, why should people of our age compare those false names." ”
Wang Fang smiled and held my hand: "Dad, I know that you have been down-to-earth all your life and never compare with others. But it's a gathering of your old colleagues for many years, a rare reunion. Not for comparison, but for memories and sharing. ”
I sighed, and Wang Gang continued: "Dad, it's okay to go out for a walk, don't just go around the garden all day, you have paid so much for the school and students in your life, and you should enjoy it when you retire." ”
I looked up at the starry sky outside the window, and I remembered myself giving a passionate lecture on the podium, as if they were calling me back to that hopeful era. I sighed softly, "Okay, then let me see how my old friends have changed over the decades." ”
As the date of the class reunion approached day by day, my heart also changed. Maybe this reunion will allow me to get back to the feeling I had back then. The children seemed to feel the change in me, they helped me prepare a new shirt and even made an appointment with a hairdresser to give me a new look in front of my old classmates.
Wang Fang handed me a mirror: "Dad, look, how handsome!"
Wang Gang also laughed: "Look, I'm a few years younger now." ”
I put away my smile and looked at myself in the mirror seriously. There are fewer gray hairs, and the folds are hidden by the carefully chosen shirt, but what satisfies me the most is the little excitement that is faintly stirring in my heart. It seems that no matter how old you are, the enthusiasm and naivety in your heart have never receded.
"Well, kids, thank you. I gently patted the dust on my hands, "I'll go to tomorrow's class reunion." ”
Wang Fang and Wang Gang looked at me, their eyes full of praise and support: "Come on, Dad! everything will be fine." ”
That night, in my dream, I returned to the verdant campus, where the teachers sat around a table, chatting and laughing like a mountain, and the purity and enthusiasm of that era were like ripples of time, swinging in my heart.
The next morning, I walked out of the house dressed and expectant with my children looking at me. The morning was unusually fresh, the sun shining through the gaps between the leaves, sprinkled on the face, and a long-lost excitement and excitement flowed in my heart. I'm going to the class reunion, and I'm going to see what kind of stories those old friends who have worked together hand in hand in this unpredictable world will bring to me.
The venue of the reunion is a classical teahouse, and the vermilion façade stands out in the rising sun. Pushing open the carved wooden door, it is as if passing through the tunnel of time and coming to the old time. The old friends had arrived one by one, and the warm greetings, familiar smiling faces, and emotions permeated the room. For a moment, my nervousness seemed to be dispelled by this enthusiasm.
"Uncle, long time no see!" an old colleague wearing gold-rimmed glasses, Lao Li, came over and patted me on the shoulder.
"yes, it's decades in the blink of an eye. Lao Li, you're still so energetic!" I replied with a smile.
However, as the lively party moved onto the topic and old friends began to share their latest developments, the topics discussed made me feel a little uneasy.
"My daughter was promoted to vice president a few months ago, and her annual salary is six figures!" said a former colleague proudly.
"Oh, that's really gratifying! Don't mention that kid in my family, he made a lot of money in business, and he bought a second house a while ago. Another chimed in.
I looked at them helplessly, thinking to myself: these years, showing off the achievements of their children seems to have become a compulsory subject for the elderly. I don't envy these material achievements, but in this environment, it is inevitable that people feel as if something is missing in their lives.
Lao Li seemed to notice my silence, and turned sideways to me and said, "Uncle, don't say that your children are also very good. I heard that Wang Fang worked well in the hospital, and Wang Gang's engineering projects were often in the newspapers. ”
I smiled helplessly: "Compared to your children, that's it." Our little family has a mediocre life, maybe there is nothing to show off. ”
"Hey, Mr. Wang, if you say that, you're out of sight. Isn't it enough for the children to live happily?" Lao Zhang interjected jokingly, "My two are busy with work all day long, and they don't go home much in their spare time. ”
My heart moved slightly, although Lao Zhang's words were not heard, but they were like a clear stream, which made me feel a little relaxed.
While talking and laughing, everyone shared their own trivial things in life, but gradually discovered the problem. It turns out that the glamorous life in everyone's eyes has an indescribable bitterness behind it.
"It seems to be quite beautiful, but in fact, after the son got married, the world of the old couple was lonely, and who had ever seen the loneliness of the old man?" Lao Liu sighed.
"Everyone is pretty much the same, who can really stay out of the matter?" Lao Zhao shook his head, revealing to us the helplessness in his heart.
One by one, the true stories were revealed, and the truth gradually turned my original anxiety into compassion and understanding. Looking at the loneliness and alienation revealed in everyone's forbearance, I began to realize that maybe each of us is actually on the same path in life, stumbling, trying to find our own positioning and happiness.
With this feeling, my state of mind became more peaceful, and I began to communicate openly and honestly with my old friends, trying to find the happiness and satisfaction of this age in sincere sharing.
With the fragrance of tea, the topic shifted from their respective glamour to the other side of life. When the walls of people's hearts slowly collapse, real feelings begin to flow out.
"The child is now the vice president, but since he was promoted, he seems to have changed as a person, and he goes home less and less. Lao Li shook his head and frowned, "My wife always complains about loneliness, and I don't know what to do." ”
I looked at Lao Li and felt a little sad, but I didn't know how to comfort him. At this time, Lao Zhao put down the teacup and said earnestly: "Actually, it's nothing. Children have their own lives, and when we get old, we have to have our own lives. ”
Lao Zhang suddenly spoke: "You also know that the children are busy, the one in my family, divorced two years ago, and threw his grandson to us." Hey, I used to think that I was quite successful in educating children, but now I ......"
The atmosphere fell silent for a moment. I also had mixed feelings in my heart, and I couldn't help but say, "Old friend, you are all right, children have their way to go." All we can do is bless them. ”
"That's right, uncle, you're right, but your young family is quite filial. Lao Liu smiled and quipped, "Wang Fang and Wang Gang often go home to see you, and they can chat with you in their busy time, which is much better than those of us." ”
"Haha, that's it. I'm actually quite happy with this old bone. Although the children are not big names in society, they are kind at heart and know how to be filial. I'm old, what more could I ask for?" I sighed with a smile.
Lao Zhao took over: "Teacher Wang, aren't you very good? Compared with those false names, the company of family is the greatest comfort." ”
"Yes, after chatting like this today, I found out that you are still thorough, uncle. We, old men and old ladies, should live a quiet life. Lao Wang took the teacup and looked at the tea leaves, "Actually, think about it, our tea may not be a kind of stability when it sinks under the water." ”
"Haha, let's be honest, we're all old teas. I joked, but found that I was really relieved, "Sinking under the water, the taste gradually comes out, and there is nothing bad about it." ”
The conversations with my old friends gave me a new understanding. When people reach old age, the most important thing is not to compete with the size of their children's achievements, but to have unspeakable inner peace and family warmth. Behind those seemingly beautiful scenery, there may be endless loneliness and regret, and what we have to do is to cherish the people in front of us and experience the happiness in ordinary life.
When I felt this deeply, my heart was inexplicably excited. Perhaps, today's class reunion has given me another unexpected gain.
On the night after the reunion, the lights in the home were still as warm as ever. Wang Fang and Wang Gang were still waiting for me to go home, and when they saw me coming back, they hurriedly surrounded me and asked.
"Dad, how will your classmates be?" asked Wang Fang excitedly.
Wang Gang also came over: "Yes, it should be exciting, right?"
I smiled and nodded, "Yes, it's a fun day." You know what? Although everyone is showing how successful their children are, in the end, they can't hide the loneliness and helplessness of the elderly. ”
Wang Fang showed a look of concern: "Dad, you don't feel unhappy, do you?"
I patted Wang Fang's hand: "Fang'er, on the contrary, it made me understand a truth." Happiness is not about comparing ourselves to others, but about cherishing what we have now. ”
Wang Gang nodded approvingly: "That's right." As children, we want you to be happy every day. ”
"Today's class reunion reminds me of your childhood, when you laughed, and now that I think about it, it is my greatest happiness. "The feeling of memories gradually filled my heart.
"Yes, you were our superhero when we were kids. Wang Gang said with a smile.
I sighed softly, with indescribable tenderness in my eyes: "Actually, everyone's life is not easy, but as long as the family is together and grateful, it is rich enough." ”
Wang Fang pursed her lips and smiled: "You always teach us like this, and you have forgotten what the children you have educated are like, right?"
The three of us sat in the living room, talking about the past, about the future. The late-night conversation not only relieved me of all the vanities of the past, but also allowed me to regain the truest sense of happiness in my heart.
Before I say goodbye to this late night, I can't help but wonder if it is only when we look back that we can truly understand that happiness has always been there.