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"Hey, brother, it's me. On the other end of the phone, my sister's familiar voice came from the other end.
"What's wrong?" I replied absentmindedly, my eyes still fixed on the report on my computer screen.
"Brother, do you remember? Dad's 80th birthday is next month, and the family has already begun to prepare birthday wine. My sister said.
"Oh, really?" I replied perfunctorily, still thinking about work.
"Brother, you have to take the time to come back. The younger sister's tone was a little anxious, "As the eldest son, you can't miss your father's eightiest birthday, right?"
I sighed, "Sister, you know, the company is at a critical time now, and I'm really lacking in skills." "
"Listen, I'm really busy right now, let's wait until that's over. By the way, you prepare some money for the family, and I will remit it in the next few days. "
After hanging up, I let out a long breath and buried my face in my hands.
Of course, I know that my father's 80th birthday is a major event, which is not only about the traditional virtue of respecting the old and loving the young, but also about the affirmation and celebration of my father's life. However, the work is too busy, I am the backbone of the sales department, and I am being pressed to work to catch up with the schedule.
On the one hand, my filial piety to my parents is undoubted, they pulled me to grow up, and I deserve to repay them; On the other hand, the importance of work cannot be overlooked, it is not only related to my income, but also related to my future and status in the company.
I was deeply troubled. In the end, I made up my mind to finish the work as it should, and then make plans when I had finished the work at hand.
"Brother, let me ask you again, are you really not going to come back?" Her tone was stiff.
"When will you finish the 'job at hand'?" My sister interrupted me, "Are you never going to take the time to come back?"
"You're just work-oriented, leaving your family completely behind!" My sister's voice was a few pitches higher, "Brother, have you ever thought that your parents are getting older, and their biggest wish is that their children can often come home to see them." But what about you, you don't even want to come back for your father's 80th birthday!"
"And what do you think I should do now?" I sighed, "If I give up halfway now and give up my work, wouldn't I be more sorry for my parents?"
As soon as I entered the office, I was swept away by the torrent of work. New projects, new reports, new meetings, these tasks are like rolling waves, completely overwhelming me. I was so busy moving between conference rooms and workstations all day that I couldn't even squeeze in time for a saliva.
Sometimes, I subconsciously pull out my phone and want to call my parents and ask them how they are doing. But as soon as the bell rings, I wake up and realize that I haven't called my parents for a long time. In the end, I had to put my phone back in my pocket and continue to devote myself to the sea of work.
In this way, my life seems to be a monotonous and boring movie: waking up by an alarm clock in the morning, rushing to work, working at an intense day, returning home in the evening, simply eating a bite to eat and going to bed. I don't have anything else in my life but work.
I was deeply troubled.
Just when I was in a daze, a small episode woke me up.
On that day, I was in a meeting with my colleagues to discuss a proposal for a new project. I was gushing on and on about my thoughts, and suddenly, my phone rang. I subconsciously pressed the mute button, thinking that I would deal with it later.
It dawned on me that my life had gone completely astray. I put my work too seriously and neglected the importance of my family. How selfish and short-sighted I am! If I keep turning a blind eye to my family, one day when my parents really have three strengths and two weaknesses, I will be ashamed of myself and regret it for the rest of my life.
It was at that moment that I made up my mind that no matter what, I would correct my indifference to my family. Work is important, but family is more important than anything else. I had to take the time to go back to my hometown and see my parents right away.
However, when I did return home and saw my mother's hard work and my father's still unfully recovered body, I suddenly realized that I should not just take a long vacation, I should quit my job completely and serve my parents well.
So, I quit my job resolutely. On the day I resigned, my boss was shocked and tried his best to keep me, even counting my past achievements and contributions to the company in front of me. However, I have made up my mind, and I have seen the merits clearly.
"I'm sorry, I have to go. I said firmly, "My family is more important than anything else, and I've been neglecting them for too long." From now on, I will serve my parents wholeheartedly and do my duty as a son. "
In this way, I left the company in a hurry and started my new life.
When I got home, I started taking care of my parents wholeheartedly. During the day, I help with household chores, kitchens, and yards. In the evenings, I would spend time with my parents, chatting, playing chess, and watching TV. Step by step, I began to reintegrate into the life of this family.
One day, my sister asked me to meet me alone. Her face was solemn, and her eyes flashed with indescribable sadness.
"Brother, in fact, there is one more thing, I have been hiding it from you. My sister took a deep breath and said, "Mom, she's terminally ill." "
"When?" I asked, choking up.
"About half a year ago. My sister wiped the corners of her eyes, "Mom doesn't want us to worry, so she keeps it hidden." It wasn't until a while ago that her condition worsened and I accidentally discovered the truth. "
I suddenly realized that my indifference and neglect for my mother had reached a point where it was difficult to speak. What a ruthless and cruel son I am!
My mother shook her head helplessly, patted me on the back with her already very weak hand, and comforted me.
"Silly son, don't blame yourself. There was unconcealable exhaustion in her faint voice, "Mother, how can I blame you? I just don't want you to worry, so I hide the truth." "
My mother shook her head and motioned for me to say no more. She struggled to speak: "Son, life is like this, no one will inevitably have mistakes and mistakes. The important thing is that you are now aware of the seriousness of the problem and have made up your mind to correct it. That's enough. "
I choked up and nodded, but the self-blame and pain in my heart could not be eliminated.
Since then, I have completely quit my job and devoted all my energy to taking care of my parents. During the day, I would try to let my mother rest as much as possible and take care of all the work at home. In the evening, I would stay at my mother's bedside and tell her some interesting stories about the parents to keep her happy.
And just like that, our lives began to get back on track. My father gradually recovered his health, and my mother was in good spirits despite her deterioration. Sometimes, she would even joke to me: "Son, you have to work hard, if you anger your mother one day, it will be miserable!"
I would smile and agree, but I was silently praying in my heart: I hope that my mother can live one more day, so that I can have more time to be filial to her and make up for my years of neglect and coldness.
A year later, my mother died due to her worsening illness. On her deathbed, she said "thank you" to me and passed away peacefully. I cried bitterly, but I was more glad in my heart that I was able to be filial to my mother in her last days and did my duty as a son.
After my mother passed away, my life changed dramatically. I no longer have to work against the clock, and I am no longer constrained by the performance pressure of the unit. In my place, my father and I lived together.
At first, the father often fell into deep silence and mourning. After all, he and his mother have been together for more than 60 years, and his mother's death is undoubtedly a heavy blow to him. Sometimes, I would see him sitting alone on his mother's favorite wicker chair, staring wordlessly at the sky, his eyes dark.
I tried to find ways to distract my father and keep him positive. In the morning, I'll cook a table of his favorite dishes; During the day, I would accompany him to play chess and practice calligraphy; In the evening, I will tell him some short interesting stories from parents to keep him happy.
Slowly, my father's mood gradually improved. He began to regain his passion for his hobby, grading students' homework and giving them some tutoring sessions every day. Sometimes, he would even joke to me, "Son, you have to serve your father well, if you anger your father one day, it will be miserable!"
I would smile and agree, but I was silently praying in my heart: I hope that my father will be healthy, so that I will have more time to be filial to him, and make up for my years of neglect and coldness.
In this way, our lives enter a whole new pattern. I spent most of my time serving my father, who made teaching a pleasure and sustenance in his later years.
I started learning to do housework and take care of the house. At first, these tasks were new to me, but I enjoyed them. Every morning, I would take a broom and clean up the fallen leaves in the yard; At noon, I would go down to the kitchen and prepare a table of delicious dishes for my father; In the evening, I would water the flowers and build a garden path.
Gradually, I found that this lifestyle gave me a sense of satisfaction that I had never felt before. I am no longer bound by the pressure of performance in the workplace, but live a free and easy life. More importantly, I can finally be filial to my father and make up for my years of neglect and coldness.
Sometimes, I sit in the yard and watch the sun set, and I can't help but sigh: if I have been living in that kind of life that is firmly bound by work, I will never experience this kind of steadfastness and satisfaction.
The days after my mother's death have given me a lot of reflection and realization.
I realized that I had always been a profit-oriented person. For me, money, status, career success, these are all goals to pursue, but the importance of family is completely ignored by me. I was tied to my work all day long, ignoring my parents, and leaving them to suffer in silence and loneliness and sickness. It wasn't until my mother died that I woke up and realized how wrong I was.
I also realized that money and status are illusory things that simply do not bring true happiness and satisfaction. Only family is the most reliable place for us to return in this life. Without the support and love of our families, we would be like a lonely boat, adrift in the ocean.
Money and status? Those are all floating clouds, destined to be ephemeral and impermanent. Only the love of family is eternal. I want to use my own actions to make up for my indifference and neglect of my family in the past, and do my best to be filial.