Lao Li and his wife stood at the door of the hotel's banquet hall, their faces full of pride and joy. Son Xiao Li and daughter-in-law Xiao Fang held hands and slowly walked towards them, with applause and blessings behind them. Lao Li held his wife's hand tightly, tears flashed in his eyes, and he whispered: "Look, our son has grown up and finally has his own home." ”
His wife, Mrs. Li, nodded, her eyes were a little moist, and she responded: "Yes, time flies so fast, and in a blink of an eye, he will take on the responsibility of the family." ”
Xiao Li and his daughter-in-law walked up to them, Xiao Li looked at his parents affectionately and said, "Dad, Mom, thank you for your nurturing grace over the years, I will take good care of Xiaofang, and I will do my best to honor you." ”
Mrs. Li wiped the corners of her eyes and patted her son's hand with a smile: "Silly child, as long as you are happy, we will be satisfied." ”
The wedding went very smoothly, relatives and friends came forward to bless them, and the atmosphere was warm and lively. Lao Li and his wife shuttled between the guests, accepting everyone's blessings, and at the same time did not forget to introduce their daughter-in-law to the guests, and the smiles on their faces never stopped.
At the banquet, Lao Li raised his glass to thank everyone, and his voice trembled with a hint: "Today is my son's happy day, thank you for coming." I hope that Xiao Li and Xiao Fang can love each other and grow old together. ”
The guests raised their glasses in response, and the scene was very touching. Mrs. Li watched all this silently from the sidelines, her heart full of complicated emotions. She knows that from today onwards, her son's life will turn a new page, and she and Lao Li will also enter a new stage of life.
After the wedding, Lao Li and his wife saw off the last group of guests, and they stood in the empty banquet hall, smiling at each other. Lao Li said softly: "Wife, we should also prepare and move to the vicinity of our son's house." ”
Mrs. Li nodded, although she was a little reluctant in her heart, but she was also full of expectation: "Yes, a new life is about to begin." ”
After retiring, Mr. and Mrs. Li moved into a new house near their son's house with great expectations. Their house is not big, but it is warmly and comfortably furnished, and there are photos of Xiao Li when he was a child on the wall, each of which is a precious memory of the old couple.
"It's good now, it's close to my son's house, and I can see my grandson often in the future. Lao Li said to Mrs. Li while tidying up the bookshelves.
Mrs. Li was busy arranging the vase, and responded with a smile: "Yes, we can also help them take care of the children and make them more relaxed." ”
However, the reality is not as rosy as they imagined. Xiao Li and Xiao Fang are both desperate Saburo in the workplace, going out early and returning late every day, and often working overtime on weekends. Although her grandson Xiaobao is cute, she is taken care of by a nanny most of the time.
One day, Lao Li called Xiao Li: "Son, are you free this weekend, bring Xiaobao over for dinner?"
Xiao Li was a little embarrassed on the other end of the phone: "Dad, we have a project to catch up with this weekend, and we may not have time." Or next week?"
Lao Li felt a little lost in his heart, but still said: "It's okay, the work is important, you guys are busy." ”
Mrs. Li listened and sighed softly. She walked to the window and looked at the busy world outside, feeling a little uncomfortable.
There were more and more such situations, and Lao Li and his wife began to feel lonely. They tried to go for a walk in the park and talk to other old people, but they always felt that something was missing.
Once, Mrs. Li couldn't help but say to Lao Li: "Wife, do you feel that we are like a forgotten corner?"
Lao Li was silent for a while, and then held Mrs. Li's hand: "Wife, we can't always rely on our sons, they have their own lives." We also need to learn to live independently and have some fun on our own. ”
Mrs. Li nodded, and a hint of firmness flashed in her eyes: "You're right, let's also live our own wonderful lives." ”
Lao Li's cough has been going on for several weeks, but he has been reluctant to go to the hospital for a check-up, always thinking that he can carry it. Until one night, he suddenly felt breathless, and Mrs. Li hurriedly called the emergency number.
The white walls of the hospital looked particularly deserted, and Lao Li was lying on the hospital bed with a pale face. Mrs. Li sat on the edge of the bed, held Lao Li's hand, and comforted softly: "Wife, don't worry, your son and daughter-in-law will come to see you soon." ”
After Xiao Li received the call, he immediately rushed to the hospital, but because of the emergency of work, he only stayed for a while before having to leave. Xiaofang too, although she cares about Lao Li very much, work and taking care of children make her incompetent.
"Dad, I have to go back to some work and come back to see you later. Xiao Li stood beside the bedside with apologies in his tone.
Lao Li smiled reluctantly: "It's okay, you're busy with you, I have your mother here." ”
Mrs. Li sent Xiao Li to the door and whispered, "Work is important, but you also have to pay attention to your body." ”
Xiao Li nodded, turned around and left, leaving Lao Li and his wife relatively silent in the ward.
In the next few days, Lao Li's condition was good and bad, but his son and daughter-in-law always came and went in a hurry and could not accompany him for a long time. Lao Li looked at the blue sky outside the window, and felt unprecedented loneliness in his heart.
"Wife, do you feel as if we have become a burden to them?" Lao Li's voice was a little hoarse.
Mrs. Li's eyes were slightly red, and she held back her tears: "Don't say that, they also have their difficulties. ”
Lao Li sighed, turned his head, and stopped talking. Mrs. Li sat silently on the edge of the bed, her heart full of helplessness and disappointment.
The other patients in the ward were taken by their families in turn, and only Lao Li and his wife seemed extremely lonely. They begin to realize that dependence on their son may not be a wise choice.
"Wife, when Lao Li is discharged from the hospital, shouldn't we think about our own lives?"
Lao turned his head and looked at Mrs. Li, a glimmer of light flashed in his eyes: "You're right, we can't always rely on others, we have to learn to be independent." ”
The atmosphere of the family gathering was originally warm, but with the discussion between Lao Li and his wife and his son and daughter-in-law on the issue of elderly care, the atmosphere gradually became tense.
"Xiao Li, we don't want to cause trouble for you, but you also know that we are getting older and older, and our health is not as good as before. There was a tremor in Lao Li's voice.
Xiao Li put down his chopsticks and frowned: "Dad, Mom, we know your difficulties, but we also have our own pressures. Jobs, kids, and mortgages, we're really a little bit overwhelmed. ”
Mrs. Li couldn't help but interject: "We just want to have someone to rely on in our old age, isn't this too much?"
Xiao Fang also looked a little helpless: "Mom, of course we want to take care of you, but the reality really doesn't allow us to be by your side all the time." ”
Lao Li sighed: "We don't ask you to be by your side all the time, we just hope that you can give us some care and help when we need it." ”
Xiao Li looked a little anxious: "Dad, Mom, I understand your feelings, but it's really difficult for us to do it now." Maybe we can find a babysitter or take you to a better nursing home. ”
Hearing the words "nursing home", the faces of Lao Li and his wife suddenly turned pale. Mrs. Li's tears began to roll in her eyes: "We worked hard to raise you, and now you want to send us to a nursing home?"
Xiao Fang tried to ease the atmosphere: "Mom, we didn't mean that, we just thought that there was professional care there, and it might be better for you." ”
But Mrs. Li's emotions were uncontrollable: "We don't need any professional care, we just need the care and companionship of our families!"
The quarrels grew louder and louder, and the atmosphere of the family gathering became extremely tense. The disappointment and dissatisfaction of Lao Li and his wife, as well as the pressure and helplessness of his son and daughter-in-law, completely exploded at this moment.
In the end, Lao Li stood up and said in a firm voice: "Forget it, we won't embarrass you." We will find a way to solve the problem of pension ourselves. ”
Mrs. Li also stood up and took Lao Li's hand: "Let's go, wife, let's go home." ”
Lao Li and his wife turned to leave, leaving Xiao Li and Xiao Fang looking at each other, full of guilt and powerlessness.
Mr. and Mrs. Li's decision to move was not impulsive, but deliberate. They decide to move back to their familiar old house, which has memories of their youth and a group of old neighbors.
"Wife, let's go back, that's our roots. Lao Li said to Mrs. Li while packing his luggage.
Mrs. Li nodded, and a hint of firmness flashed in her eyes: "Yes, we have friends and memories there, and we can live more comfortably." ”
After moving back to their old house, Mr. and Mrs. Li began to actively participate in community activities. Lao Li joined the community's calligraphy class, while Mrs. Li found fun in the community choir. Their smiles grew more and more, and their lives became fuller.
"Lao Li, your handwriting is really good, you have time to teach me. Neighbor Lao Zhang said to Lao Li after the calligraphy class.
"No problem, let's make progress together. Lao Li responded with a smile.
Mrs. Li also made a lot of friends in the choir, they sang together, talked together, and their lives were full of laughter.
"Mrs. Li, your singing voice is so beautiful, I must let you lead the next performance. The head of the choir said to Mrs. Lee.
"Thanks, I'll try. Mrs. Li had a happy smile on her face.
At the same time, Xiao Li and Xiao Fang also realized that they did not care enough for their parents. They began to try to change, and whenever they had time, they would take their children to visit Lao Li and his wife, chat with them, and help them with housework.
"Mom, Dad, we're coming to see you. Xiao Li took the child and carried some fruits and nutrients in his hand to the old house.
"Come in, Xiaobao is growing taller again. Lao Li greeted them with a smile.
Xiaofang also helped on the side: "Mom, this is the new clothes I bought for you, try to see if it fits." ”
Mrs. Li tried it on and had a satisfied smile on her face: "It fits perfectly, thank you." ”
The relationship between the two generations gradually harmonized in these warm interactions. Lao Li and his wife felt the care of their son and daughter-in-law, and Xiao Li and Xiao Fang also cherished the time they spent with their parents even more.
"Wife, you see, our lives can actually be very exciting. Lao Li said to Mrs. Li after a community event.
"Yes, we have to learn to be independent, and we have to learn to enjoy life. Mrs. Li leaned against Lao Li, and the two looked at each other and smiled, their hearts full of anticipation for the future.
This article is a microfiction, please do not sit in the opposite seat