The afterglow of the setting sun shines on the old tiled houses, adding a touch of warmth to this small village. I stood in my own courtyard and took a deep breath of familiar air. This faint smell of oily smoke, mixed with the aroma of earth, is the smell of my home for more than 20 years.
"Xiaofang, what are you doing?" An old but gentle voice sounded behind me. I turned around and saw the kind face of my mother-in-law, Zhang Shuzhen. At the age of 68, wrinkles have spread all over her body, but her eyes are still shining and shining with wisdom.
"It's not a mother-in-law, just sighing, we're really moving. I smiled and walked over to my mother-in-law and helped her sit on a small bench in the yard.
The mother-in-law sighed: "Yes, this old house has been with us for too many years, and I am really reluctant to leave it." However, cities are growing, and we have to keep up with the times. "
About a month ago, news of the demolition came from the village. The government intends to build a new residential complex here, and our old village will be completely demolished. At first, everyone was a little panicked, after all, this is the place where we have lived for most of our lives. But with the announcement of the compensation plan, everyone gradually felt at ease.
"Dad, Mom, you see, we can get two new houses after the demolition. "One night, I excitedly reported the good news to my husband and mother-in-law.
The husband nodded: "Yes, this compensation plan is not bad." However, it would be too wasteful for the three of us to live in two houses. "
I pondered for a moment, then said, "Why don't we give my mother-in-law two houses." My mother-in-law is getting older, and we have settled her in a new house, so she can live more comfortably. "
The mother-in-law waved her hand again and again: "No, no, no, I'm old, a small room is enough, why take up so many resources?"
I insisted, "Mother-in-law, you are our relative. You have taken care of us for so many years, and we owe it to you to be filial. You can live in two houses by yourself, and your son and I can rent another house. "
After much persuasion, the mother-in-law finally nodded and agreed.
The day of moving has come. Looking at the clutter in the house, the mother-in-law was a little troubled. She took my hand and said with some embarrassment: "Xiaofang, I have to take some of my family belongings all these years." Two new houses are so big, it's a waste for me to live alone. "
I hurriedly comforted: "Mother-in-law, you should regard this as our filial piety to you." You can rest at home, and your son and I will be there to move, so you don't have to worry about it. "
My mother-in-law's words made me feel mixed in my heart. Yes, it is indeed a bit of a waste to give both houses to my mother-in-law to live alone. However, thinking of my mother-in-law's care for us over the years, I made up my mind that I must be filial to my mother-in-law, so that she can rely on and support her in old age.
I patted the back of my mother-in-law's hand and said sincerely, "Mother-in-law, you can rest assured." It's not convenient for you to live in a house that is too big for you, so we will move to your neighborhood and come to see you every day. If you have any need, just call us. "
My mother-in-law looked at me with a grateful look in her eyes. She said in a hoarse voice: "Good boy, how can I be so blessed to meet such a good daughter-in-law as you?"
My husband fully agreed with my decision. That night, he took my hand and said, "Wife, you're right. Mother-in-law is like our biological mother, and we should do our best to take care of her. Give her both houses and we rent another house, although it will increase some expenses, but as long as we can make my mother-in-law live more comfortably, what is the price of this price?"
Hearing my husband's words, my heart was suddenly filled with a warm current. With his understanding and support, I feel that this decision is completely correct.
And just like that, we began the difficult life of moving. Emptying all the belongings of more than 20 years is a big job. My husband and I moved all the furniture and appliances to the new house. And my mother-in-law was stopped by us and could only do it in a hurry.
"Xiaofang, let me help you. "My mother-in-law tried to come forward several times, but I stopped her.
I waved my hand again and again: "Mother-in-law, you can sit there with peace of mind." Moving these things is not something your age can do. "
Finally, everything was settled. Our family of three stood at the door of the new house and looked at each other, extremely gratified. At this time, my mother-in-law slowly walked in front of us with a cane. Her eyes were a little red, as if she was moved by something.
"Xiao Fang, you guys are so good. The mother-in-law choked up and said, "I am so grateful to you for giving me two houses to live alone." You treat me like your own mother, and my old bones have a place to live. "
I took my mother-in-law's thin hand and said sincerely, "Mother-in-law, you are our relative." You have worked so hard to take care of us for so many years, and we owe it to you that we should be filial. You can stay here with peace of mind and call us if you need anything. "
The mother-in-law nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. I know that this is not a tear of sorrow, but a tear of happiness. With our company, my mother-in-law finally felt the warmest and most precious family affection in the world.
The days after moving are not as rosy as we imagined. The new house, while spacious and comfortable, also brings some new troubles.
The first is the issue of noise. The downstairs neighbor seems to have a habit of being a night owl, often making loud noises in the middle of the night, making her mother-in-law unable to sleep. In addition, the new community is far away from my husband's workplace and my workplace, and the daily commute to work becomes long and time-consuming.
One day, my mother-in-law took the initiative to find us. She said: "Xiaofang, I'm old, it's really inconvenient to live in such a big house alone. Moreover, I hope that your family can live together, so that I can see you all the time, and my heart will be much more secure. "
As she spoke, my mother-in-law took out the keys to one of the houses from the drawer and handed it to me, "You can take this house, and we will live together." "
My mother-in-law's proposal put me in a deep struggle. On the one hand, I think she has a point. We live together as a family and are really able to take better care of her. But on the other hand, I'm worried that she'll think we're doing it for the house.
In those days, I used to ponder this question alone in the dead of night. I don't want my mother-in-law to feel any burden or guilt. She gave us such a nice house, but instead of cherishing it, she made her feel like a burden, which is the last thing I want to see.
Finally, on a dark and windy night, I made up my mind. I found my mother-in-law and solemnly said to her, "Mother-in-law, we accept your kindness and move into the house you gave us." However, you have to promise me that you will not be burdened at any time, and that we will take care of you for our own sake. "
When my mother-in-law heard my words, a happy look appeared on her face. She held my hand tightly and said in a trembling voice, "Xiaofang, you are so good to me, I thank you so much. I know you treat me like a family member, not for the house. You have taken care of me like this all these years, how could I not understand?"
As she spoke, tears welled up in her mother-in-law's eyes. I hurriedly hugged her and comforted: "Mother-in-law, don't worry, our family will live together in the future, if you need anything, just ask." "
The mother-in-law nodded, tears streaming down her face. I understood that it was the happiness and gratitude she had accumulated over the years that was finally released in this moment. With us by her side, she no longer has to spend the last years of her life alone.
That night, my heart was filled with great relief and happiness. I swear that no matter what the future holds, I will continue to be filial to my mother-in-law and warm her old age with our most sincere love.
In this way, our family moved into the new house left to us by my mother-in-law and started a new life. Although the conditions were a little worse than before, we were all very content.
My mother-in-law lives near our house, and we visit her every day to take care of her daily life. Sometimes, my mother-in-law would come to my house and have a reunion dinner with us. At that time, she was always happy, with a happy smile on her face.
With the company of my mother-in-law, our life is also a little more warm. From time to time, she will tell us about the past, so that we can feel the bits and pieces of life. We will also patiently listen to my mother-in-law's instructions and try to put her teachings into practice.
All of this has made me deeply appreciate the value of family affection. It was my mother-in-law who taught me what filial piety and sincerity are with her own actions. She was like a warm light that illuminated my path in life.
I swear in my heart that no matter what happens in the future, I will continue to be filial to my mother-in-law and warm her old age with our most sincere love. Until one day, when she passed away peacefully, I was able to let go of the burden in my heart and offer her one last blessing.
Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, a few years have passed. My mother-in-law's physical condition began to deteriorate. At first, she felt dizzy and tired only occasionally, but soon she had difficulty walking.
One day, I went to visit my mother-in-law as usual and found her sitting in a chair panting. I hurriedly helped her sit down and asked softly, "Mother-in-law, what's wrong with you?"
The mother-in-law shook her head, her face pale: "It's nothing, it's just that the old problem has been made again." Xiao Fang, my old bones won't last long. "
When I heard this, my heart felt like it was being pinched hard. My mother-in-law's health is deteriorating, and I am worried that she will have a mistake. However, I couldn't bear to let her see my worries, so I forced a smile on my face and said, "Mother-in-law, you can relax." With me and your son here, you are our relatives and we will take good care of you. "
Since then, we have taken full care of our mother-in-law. During the day, I would go to my mother-in-law's house regularly, cook her a hot lunch, and chat with her. Sometimes my mother-in-law would tell me about her youth, and sometimes we would make small talk about current affairs and news, and just pass the time.
In the evening, we will take my mother-in-law to live at home. When my husband comes back from work, we will wash and change the dressing for my mother-in-law together. Sometimes my mother-in-law would be in great pain because she was unwell, and I would patiently comfort her, give her medicine and pat her on the back.
In this way, we guarded my mother-in-law and witnessed her life pass by little by little. It was hard, but we didn't feel tired. Because in our hearts, our mother-in-law is the person we love the most, and the light in our lives that will never be extinguished.
About a year later, on a cold winter night, my mother-in-law's condition suddenly worsened. We took her to the hospital overnight, but the doctors told us that her days were numbered.
Hearing the news, we were all plunged into endless grief. How can my mother-in-law leave us like this? We stayed in the hospital room and watched my mother-in-law lying on the hospital bed, dying.
Speaking of this, two lines of tears welled up from the corners of her mother-in-law's eyes. I shook my head in pain, my throat choked on something, and I couldn't say a word.
Before the words fell, the mother-in-law's eyes gradually lost their brightness, and she left this world peacefully. I wept bitterly, and my heart was enveloped in endless sadness. But at the same time, I am also happy for my mother-in-law. She is gone, but her love remains in our hearts forever.
"Mother-in-law, you must have been liberated by now and are no longer tortured by the flesh. It is you who have taught me what sincerity and filial piety are with your own actions. You are like a warm light that illuminates the path of my life. You can rest assured, we will live well and live up to your expectations. May your Spirit of Heaven rest in peace and be immortal!"
Life is like this, there is life and death, separation and reunion. But as long as we treat each other with sincerity and warm the people around us with love, we will definitely be able to live an infinite meaning in a limited time. Mother-in-law, I love you forever!