For as long as I can remember, the atmosphere at home has not been very relaxed. My dad died young, leaving my mom and I to live together. She is the kind of Beijinger of the older generation, with straightforward speech and a stubborn personality. She always said, "Xiaowei, there are only two of us in the family, and you will be the pillar of this family in the future." ”
I didn't disappoint her, I studied and found a job, and later, I met Lihua.
Lihua is a southerner, and her delicacy and gentleness are something I have never seen before. We quickly fell in love and got married. In the beginning, everything was fine, until later, the trivial things of life made us more and more conflicts.
"Look at it, what's going on, you teach your wife, don't go too far. "Mother's whining always rings when I get home from work.
"Mom, don't be like this, it's not easy for Lihua, she did her best at home. "I try to be in the middle.
"Hey, you kid, mom is for your good. Mom muttered unhappily.
"Mom......" I sighed, but I didn't know how to continue.
Lihua has always been in awe of her mother, and every time she answers, she is a little careful:
"Auntie, I'm not thinking about buying something fresh. Don't we all like to eat fresh? ”
"Fresh, fresh has to spend money indiscriminately?" Mom's voice always rose unconsciously.
No matter what happens, Lihua will always personally put 4,000 yuan in her mother's room every month, which is agreed upon by the two of us, which can be regarded as filial piety to her mother. But no matter what she does, her mother always feels that it is not enough, and there is always a difference.
Then we had a child, Xiaobao. I thought that the arrival of the child would make all this better. Unbeknownst to him, the differences and contradictions have only intensified as a result.
In the end, the pent-up emotions exploded. "Xiaowei, we really can't go on like this, I think I'm so tired. That night, Lihua finally said the words of divorce.
The next day, I told my mother about this, and she was silent for a while, and then suddenly asked me, "Whose property do you get?"
"Mom, we haven't talked about this yet......" I was a little surprised.
"What, she still wants to rob our house?" the eyes of the mother, who had always been gentle and elegant, suddenly burst into battle.
I remembered Lihua's attitude towards property in the divorce agreement, and she didn't ask for much. "Mom, Lihua didn't mention the house, she just said...... For Xiaobao. ”
"Of course the child has to go with us! You're divorced, she can still have children, think beautifully!" Mom said firmly.
And just like that, we embarked on the long road to divorce. I know that no matter which side I am on, this war cannot be avoided. I know my mother's character and Lihua's contribution to this family. What I once thought was a happy life is now only left with endless choices and pain.
In the turmoil of divorce, Xiaobao is like a safe haven in each other's hearts, and has become the only victim in the war. I thought that Xiaobao's appearance could alleviate the contradictions between us, but I didn't expect that he would become another source of strife.
I used to toss and turn in the middle of the night, thinking about the meaning of the fight. My mother's insistence made me feel distressed, and Lihua's silent concession made me feel guilty. After all, since Xiaobao was born, it was Lihua who brought it up.
After arguing again and again, Xiaobao hid in the room, his eyes full of uneasiness and fear. I knew that such an environment was very detrimental to his growth, but I could not find any compromise between conventional wisdom and practical dilemmas.
On that day, an unprecedented battle broke out in our family.
"Tell me, Xiaowei, it's all this time, and you're still protecting her?" Mom almost roared.
"Mom, can the matter be resolved quietly? It's not good for you to treat Xiaobao like this, he's scared......" My voice trembled.
"Why, I can't talk anymore? Who owns this family? Who owns the house? The child belonged to our family before she was born, why did she ......?" Mom's voice stopped abruptly, and she seemed to realize Xiaobao's closed door.
Lihua stood quietly on the side, her face was full of weakness and sadness, but she still spoke calmly: "Xiaowei, hand him over to me, I don't want a house, and I won't fight for anything." I just want to make Xiaobao happy......"
I paused, indeed, I had never thought about Lihua's feelings.
"Lihua, this family ......" I looked at Lihua and my heart was in turmoil.
Mom interrupted me: "You think clearly, Lihua ......" Before I could finish speaking, I interrupted.
"Mom, not everything can be solved in the traditional way. I know you're worried about the future of our family, but have you considered Xiaobao's feelings?"
"Xiaobao, he ......" There was helplessness in Damn's words.
Xiaobao's door slowly opened, and his small figure appeared at the door, looking at us with tears in his eyes: "Mom, Dad, Grandma, are we still a family?"
At that moment, a feeling that I had never felt before came over me. It's remorse, self-blame, and a deep sense of powerlessness. I realized that no matter what we were fighting for, Xiaobao should not be a victim.
Lihua walked over, squatted down, and hugged Xiaobao tightly in her arms: "Of course, Xiaobao, no matter what happens, mom will always love you." "
I walked over and patted Xiaobao on the back lightly, apologetic to the pleading look in Lihua's eyes. Then, turning to Mom, he took a deep breath: "Mom, I think we should sit down and have a good talk, for the sake of Xiaobao......"
After a long time of communication and arguments, we finally reached an agreement, although not perfect, but at least for Xiaobao, it is the best choice.
As time passed, the divorce gradually settled, but the chaos did not completely subside. When facing Lihua's care and dedication to Xiaobao, I often fall into deep thought, how this marriage has left on the three of us.
Just as we were trying to adjust to the new order of life and try to mend the wounds caused by the divorce, an accident struck. Early that morning, the phone rang sharply, waking me up from my sleep. On the other end of the phone, it was the neighbor's anxious voice: "Xiaowei, your mother is ...... She fell and we're taking her to the hospital. ”
My heart sank and I rushed to the hospital. Mom was lying on the hospital bed, her face pale. "Xiaowei, I ......" Mom's voice was weak, and her expression was full of pain.
I held my mother's hand, but there was an invisible panic in my heart. Mom was reckless and tough all her life, and I never thought that one day she would be lying in the hospital.
"Mom, don't talk, the doctor said that you didn't fall lightly and need to rest. "I try to calm my voice as much as possible.
Just when I was worried about my mother's medical expenses, Lihua walked in with a bank card in her hand: "Xiaowei, this is the deposit that the two of us used to share, and now it is used on Auntie." ”
I looked at Lihua, surprised and grateful. Even though we are divorced, she still does not let go of her concern for her family.
"Lihua, why...... Why are you still ......" my voice choked.
"Anyway, she is your mother and Xiaobao's grandmother. That's all I can help at this point. Lihua smiled slightly, but there was a hint of sadness in her smile.
Mom woke up from a coma and heard our conversation, with an unbelievable expression on her face, "Lihua, you...... Why are you ...... like that, kid?"
Lihua walked to her mother's bed and said softly, "Auntie, you're welcome." Xiaowei, you better go and deposit the money in the hospital account. ”
On the way back from the hospital, I kept thinking. Before the divorce, I always thought that Lihua was not attentive enough to this family, and I even thought that I was the one who guarded the family. But now, I reflect on myself, and the selfishness and stubbornness in my marriage have made me ignore her silent giving.
In the face of this sudden crisis, I misjudged everything, and Lihua has an extraordinary sense of responsibility for her family. I finally understood that everyone has a different way of dealing with home, and Lihua is clearly doing what she thinks is right with her actions.
When I returned to the ward, the hardness in my mother's eyes was gone, replaced by softness and love. "Xiaowei, Auntie just said that she doesn't want us to quarrel over her. She said she may have been too stubborn and would change from now on. ”
I watched my mother's transformation, and then thought of Lihua's kindness, and a warm current rose in my heart. Perhaps, this is the turning point we all have. In the whirlpool of this family, each of us has our own persistence and weakness, but that sincere relationship and responsibility cannot be taken away by any turmoil.
Time always brings change and healing, bad things can happen overnight, but it often takes longer to get better. Mom's illness is gradually improving, and the relationship between the three of us is slowly rebuilding.
"Lihua, thank you this time, really. "One afternoon, Lihua and I came back from the park with Xiaobao, and I said to her heartily.
Lihua smiled, with the same warmth in her eyes: "Xiaowei, you don't have to say that, we all hope that our mother will get better, don't we......? Xiaobao also needs us. ”
Xiao Bao took our hands and ran in front: "Mom, Dad, I hope to be as happy every day as I am today." ”
Lihua looked at Xiaobao's back, and then turned to me: "We'll work hard, right?"
I nodded, and suddenly it felt like the worries and pains of the past were becoming less important. At this moment, I realized that the so-called real estate competition between us was actually nothing more than floating clouds.
And Mom, she also learned to be tolerant. She often held Lihua's hand and said earnestly: "Lihua, in fact, I am old, this house will belong to you young people sooner or later, I only hope you can be well." ”
At a family gathering, Lihua suddenly made an unexpected proposal: "Xiaowei, I think, we can transfer the property to Xiaobao." That way, no matter what happens in the future, at least he has a stable home. ”
After hearing this, I was a little moved, and my mother also nodded on the side: "Lihua, this kid, is a good idea." ”
Xiaobao jumped up happily: "Then can I have my own room?"
We looked at each other and laughed, although life does not always have a fairy tale ending, but Xiaobao's innocence and joy made all the previous unhappiness disappear.
Under Lihua's influence, I learned to let go of the past and start to cherish every moment of the present. Her kindness and persistence changed a lot, including the mentality of my mom and me. Our relationship is no longer limited by legal boundaries, but a kind of simple human affection, warm and sincere.
"Dad, will we all be as happy as we are today in the future?" Xiaobao's happy gaze made me think deeply - in fact, happiness, shouldn't it be the simplest happiness in the family?