Lao Li sat alone on the old-fashioned sofa in the living room, staring vacantly at the TV, where an inconsequential variety show was playing, but his mind was obviously not on it. Since the death of his wife, the whole room has been filled with an indescribable loneliness and silence. On the wall hung a wedding photo of him and his wife, smiling so happily and carefree, as if all their troubles had nothing to do with them.
Since that illness ruthlessly took away his beloved wife, Lao Li's personality seems to have changed. He began to become withdrawn and did not like to communicate with others, and even his own children, Li Qiang and Li Min, gradually felt alienated from their father. Whenever they tried to discuss their future living arrangements with him, Lao Li always seemed particularly resistant, and sometimes even responded with harsh words.
"Dad, what did you eat today?" asked Li Min softly, she had just brought a bowl of hot chicken soup from the kitchen.
Lao Li raised his head, his eyes revealing a trace of exhaustion, "Just eat something." ”
Li Min put down the chicken soup and sat down beside his father, trying to break the deadlock, "Dad, you can't always go on like this, you're lonely, we're all worried about you." ”
Lao Li shook his head, with an indescribable sleepiness in his tone, "I know you're worried, but I'm really fine, I'm just ...... It's just that sometimes I feel tired. ”
"Tired, is it physical or psychological?" Li Qiang also walked in at this time, with a hint of firmness in his tone, obviously trying to find a solution to the problem.
"Probably both. Lao Li sighed, he knew that his children's concern was out of kindness, but the loneliness and loss in his heart were difficult for them to touch.
"Dad, if you find it inconvenient to live alone, you might as well consider moving in with us. Li Min made this suggestion, she felt that it would take better care of her father.
Lao Li shook his head, "I've lived here for so many years, and there are memories of your mother in every corner, and I don't want to leave." ”
Seeing this, Li Qiang changed his angle, "Then how about we come to accompany you more, or invite someone to help you take care of your daily life?"
"No, I can handle it myself. Lao Li's answer always seemed so stubborn.
Although the dialogue at this time is full of care and love, it inevitably brings out a prominent generation gap - a difference in lifestyle and psychological distance. Lao Li's persistence and the anxiety of his children are the epitome of the family's conflict between old and new concepts and lifestyles. While dialogue did not resolve the issue immediately, it began a journey towards understanding and reconciliation. As the Spring Festival is getting closer and closer, the Li family also ushered in the annual family gathering. On this day, Li Qiang and Li Min were busy early in the morning, preparing various traditional dishes, hoping to take this opportunity to liven up the atmosphere at home, and also hope to have more communication with their father Lao Li.
The atmosphere of the party was quite harmonious at first, and everyone sat around the table, tasting food and chatting about family life. But when the conversation gradually turned to Lao Li's life and future plans, the atmosphere began to become a little tense.
"Dad, you see, it's not convenient to be alone at home now, we think it's better to have a companion, why don't we consider remarrying?" Li Min made a tentative suggestion, his voice full of concern.
Lao Li's face suddenly sank after hearing this, and his chopsticks trembled slightly in his hand, "What do you mean by this?
"That's not what I mean, Dad. We're just worried that you'll feel lonely, after all, people always need company. Li Qiang hurriedly explained, trying to calm his father's emotions.
"I'm lonely? Don't always try to make decisions for me. Lao Li's voice began to rise, and it was obvious that the topic touched his sensitive nerves.
Seeing this, Li Min tried to change the topic, "Dad, we didn't mean that. We just want you to be happier. ”
"Happy? I'm happy right now. I don't need someone else to organize my life. The more Lao Li spoke, the more excited he became, obviously the emotions that had been pent up for a long time began to erupt.
Li Qiang looked at his emotional father, was silent for a while, and then said slowly: "Dad, we know that you and your mother have a deep relationship, and we are not trying to replace your mother's position." But we're really worried about you, and we want you to be happy. ”
"Happiness is not something that others can give, I know how to live it myself. Lao Li's voice was slightly hoarse, obviously because his mood had fluctuated greatly.
Far from easing the tensions, the conversation has only made misunderstandings and generation gaps more apparent. Li Qiang and Li Min were stunned, not knowing how to continue the topic.
The party went on, but the atmosphere was completely different. Everyone bowed their heads to eat, and the topic on the table turned into a relaxed homely routine. Despite this, Li Qiang and Li Min's hearts were both thinking about what had just happened, and their hearts were full of helplessness and worry.
After the meal, Li Qiang pulled Li Min aside and whispered: "It seems that Dad has not yet come out of Mom's death, and we still need more time and patience to understand him." ”
Li Min nodded, a trace of tears flashed in his eyes, "Yes, we have to take our time, give Dad some space, and give ourselves some time." ”
This family reunion, although it did not achieve the expected reconciliation effect, at least made them aware of the gap between each other and what needs to be filled. Dialogue is difficult, but it is the first step to understanding and acceptance. As the Spring Festival is getting closer and closer, the Li family also ushered in the annual family gathering. On this day, Li Qiang and Li Min were busy early in the morning, preparing various traditional dishes, hoping to take this opportunity to liven up the atmosphere at home, and also hope to have more communication with their father Lao Li.
The atmosphere of the party was quite harmonious at first, and everyone sat around the table, tasting food and chatting about family life. But when the conversation gradually turned to Lao Li's life and future plans, the atmosphere began to become a little tense.
"Dad, you see, it's not convenient to be alone at home now, we think it's better to have a companion, why don't we consider remarrying?" Li Min made a tentative suggestion, his voice full of concern.
Lao Li's face suddenly sank after hearing this, and his chopsticks trembled slightly in his hand, "What do you mean by this?
"That's not what I mean, Dad. We're just worried that you'll feel lonely, after all, people always need company. Li Qiang hurriedly explained, trying to calm his father's emotions.
"I'm lonely? Don't always try to make decisions for me. Lao Li's voice began to rise, and it was obvious that the topic touched his sensitive nerves.
Seeing this, Li Min tried to change the topic, "Dad, we didn't mean that. We just want you to be happier. ”
"Happy? I'm happy right now. I don't need someone else to organize my life. The more Lao Li spoke, the more excited he became, obviously the emotions that had been pent up for a long time began to erupt.
Li Qiang looked at his emotional father, was silent for a while, and then said slowly: "Dad, we know that you and your mother have a deep relationship, and we are not trying to replace your mother's position." But we're really worried about you, and we want you to be happy. ”
"Happiness is not something that others can give, I know how to live it myself. Lao Li's voice was slightly hoarse, obviously because his mood had fluctuated greatly.
Far from easing the tensions, the conversation has only made misunderstandings and generation gaps more apparent. Li Qiang and Li Min were stunned, not knowing how to continue the topic.
The party went on, but the atmosphere was completely different. Everyone bowed their heads to eat, and the topic on the table turned into a relaxed homely routine. Despite this, Li Qiang and Li Min's hearts were both thinking about what had just happened, and their hearts were full of helplessness and worry.
After the meal, Li Qiang pulled Li Min aside and whispered: "It seems that Dad has not yet come out of Mom's death, and we still need more time and patience to understand him." ”
Li Min nodded, a trace of tears flashed in his eyes, "Yes, we have to take our time, give Dad some space, and give ourselves some time." ”
This family reunion, although it did not achieve the expected reconciliation effect, at least made them aware of the gap between each other and what needs to be filled. Dialogue is difficult, but it is the first step to understanding and acceptance.