On a cold spring morning, the sky was gray, like a rain that had not fallen, and the damp wind blew with a biting chill. Aunt Li wrapped her thick cotton clothes tightly and securely wrapped the footcloth around her frozen purple ankles. She is an authentic northern woman with tenacity and hard work in her bones. Soon after retirement, she should have enjoyed a quiet and comfortable life in her old age, but her wife died early, and her son Li Ming was working in other places, so she was the only one left at home.
She was squatting in the courtyard to feed some of her chickens, when suddenly a wave of dizziness hit, followed by a cramping pain in her chest, a pain she was familiar with, an old heart attack. She clenched her teeth, slowly moved to the side of the steps and sat down, and took out her mobile phone to call her son Li Ming.
On the other end of the phone, Li Ming's voice was anxious and hurried, "Mom, what's wrong with you?
"No, it's not a big deal, it's just that my heart isn't very comfortable. Aunt Li tried her best to make her voice sound more relaxed.
"Don't lie! I can hear me! Tell me, where are you now? I'll get somebody. Li Ming knew that his mother had always been tough and never mentioned the pain easily, and the abnormality at this moment must not be ignored.
"At home, it may be that the weather is too cold, and the old problem is committed again. Her voice grew weaker and weaker.
"You insist, I'll contact Uncle Zhao immediately, he is retired at home, and he will come over immediately!" Li Ming comforted his mother while quickly dialing the phone number of an old neighbor who knew him well in the village.
When Uncle Zhao arrived panting, Aunt Li's condition was so serious that it was difficult to stand, Uncle Zhao saw this, and hurriedly called 120, and then accompanied Aunt Li all the way to the hospital in the town.
Uncle Zhao, who was anxiously waiting outside the emergency room, received a second call from Li Ming, "Uncle Zhao, how is my mother?"
"Don't worry, my aunt is not in good condition and has been sent to the emergency room. The doctor said that the situation was not optimistic and that he had to be hospitalized for observation. ”
Li Ming was silent on the other end of the phone for a while, and then his tone suddenly changed, trying to appear extremely calm, "Uncle Zhao, then I will trouble you to take care of my mother more." To tell you the truth, my wife has been unwell for the past two days, it may be a happy event, and I have to take care of her first. ”
Uncle Zhao frowned, understanding Li Ming's difficulties in his heart, but he couldn't help but sigh, "You too, work is important, but your mother is here alone, you as a son can always give some time, and you can't always let the old man bear it himself." ”
"I know Uncle Zhao, thank you very much, this time is too busy. By the way, my daughter-in-law wants to eat your aunt's camellia dumplings, and she kept talking about it the last time she ate it, saying that she wants to eat it again. Li Ming's words changed, as if he was looking for a topic to alleviate the embarrassment.
Uncle Zhao was a little helpless, thinking about this child, he still remembered the dumplings at this time, "Okay, I'll help her make it tomorrow, you can rest assured." ”
On the other end of the phone, Li Ming's voice faintly revealed a trace of guilt, and his sigh couldn't hide his inner struggle and helplessness, "Thank you, Uncle Zhao, I will go back as soon as possible." ”
After hanging up the phone, Uncle Zhao looked back at the closed door of the emergency room, and couldn't help but feel a sigh at the sudden change.
Aunt Li was lying on the white hospital bed, although the pain of the heart attack was slightly relieved, but the loneliness and anxiety were like shadows in the night, always lingering. Fortunately, well-wishers like Uncle Zhao and Dr. Wang came to visit from time to time, which brought her a lot of comfort. Dr. Wang is not only very attentive in his daily check-ups, but also tells interesting stories about the village to make Auntie Li laugh.
"Aunt Li, you see, this potion is really diligent, you have to fight, we are tough guys, what is this little illness!" Dr. Wang joked as he replaced the potion.
Aunt Li smiled lightly, she understood that Dr. Wang meant to encourage, "Thank you, Dr. Wang, I don't know what to do without you." "
Dr. Wang waved his hand, "This is what I should do, it is a traditional virtue for our village to help one by one." "
Shortly after Dr. Wang left, Wang Qing rushed to the hospital with a basket full of ingredients. Wang Qing is a capable city girl, and marrying into this remote village can be described as a golden rooster independence. In the face of sudden changes, although Wang Qing looked tired, she still took on the responsibility of taking care of Aunt Li strongly.
"Auntie, I've come to see you. You see, I brought you shepherd's cabbage today, and by the way, I will wrap you with some shepherd's cabbage dumplings, your favorite food. Wang Qing said softly.
Aunt Li looked at Wang Qing with relief, "Qing'er, you have worked hard for your child, my illness is really not timely." "
"Oh auntie, don't say that, we're a family. And Auntie, I have good news for you, I'm pregnant. Wang Qing's eyes shone with joy.
"Really, that's really a double happiness!" Aunt Li's eyes were also full of joy and expectation, "Qing'er, the child is important, you have to take care of your body." "
"Don't worry, Auntie, I will. No, Li Ming is still urging me to wrap the dumplings for you, saying that you have been talking about eating them. Wang Qing said with a smile as she put the ingredients on the small table.
Although the conversation between the two was full of homely warmth, Aunt Li felt a little guilty in her heart, her illness suddenly brought so much trouble.
Soon, Wang Qing was already busy in the small pantry, and the raw and cooked dumpling wrappers were transformed into bulging dumplings under her skillful hands. Wang Qing's craftsmanship is really extraordinary, the dumplings are smooth and neat, and even the nurses in the hospital can't help but praise them when they see them.
"Sister Wang Qing, your craftsmanship is really good, the dumplings are like works of art. A little nurse said with a smile.
Wang Qing replied with a smile, "Thank you for the compliment, I learned it from my grandmother when I was a child." "
At this moment, Li Ming suddenly called anxiously, "Qing'er, are you in the hospital? How is my mother?
"Your mother is much more stable, don't worry too much, I'm already making soup and dumplings for her. By the way, I'm going to have a prenatal checkup tomorrow, do you have time?" Wang Qing replied calmly.
"Well, my project has entered a critical stage, and I may not be able to take a break for ......the time being," Li was obviously a little embarrassed.
"I understand, you're having a hard time, too. Then I can go to the hospital by myself, and we will plan for a family of three in the future. Wang Qing said lightly, but there was inevitably a little loss in her tone.
At the same time, Aunt Li listened attentively on the hospital bed, with mixed feelings in her heart. She knew that her illness had caused a lot of stress on her young daughter-in-law. At the same time, she also understands Li Ming's struggle and helplessness as a husband and a man who is about to become a father.
During this period of getting along, Wang Qing and Uncle Zhao's concern made Aunt Li feel that at least she still had relatives by her side. Although her son failed to return, this warmth also made her mood much better. She began to imagine that she could recover soon, hold her grandson in person, and feel full of family happiness. However, a voice in my heart secretly asked: Will all this really go as smoothly as imagined?
In the late autumn afternoon, the market in the town is particularly lively, with a constant stream of people and all kinds of cries and sales. Aunt Chen was carrying a basket to buy some seasonal vegetables, and happened to hear Wang Qing next to her complaining to her familiar neighbors about the difficulty of life while bargaining with the vegetable seller.
"You know, now I have to take care of the two families alone, and I am doing my best on my aunt's side, and I am still pregnant with a child on my side. My husband, who can't be idle, is so busy with work that he has less time to come home than for the holidays. Wang Qing's tone was full of helplessness and complaints.
Aunt Chen didn't interject, she felt that it was not appropriate to talk about these private matters in such a public place, so she quickened her pace, thinking that when she went back to the hospital, she would bring Aunt Li something delicious, maybe it would make her feel better.
A few days later, Aunt Chen came to the hospital happily carrying a bag of fresh fruits, hoping to bring some warmth to Aunt Li. What she didn't expect was that she just happened to bump into something she shouldn't have heard.
Wang Qing was also in the ward at the moment, I don't know if she was tired or resentful, she picked up the phone and confided in a girlfriend, "Don't say it, you really have to plan in advance for your own retirement." My husband is so busy that he even has three or two sentences on the phone. Look at Aunt Li again, my son has a successful career, but if something happens, don't you have to take care of me?"
There was a hint of comfort from the voice on the other end of the phone, "Wang Qing, I understand you, it's not easy for you." But you can't always complain like that, it's not good for your health. ”
"I know, I know, but sometimes I can't hold it back. I also wanted to make my life easier. Wang Qing smiled bitterly.
Aunt Li was lying on the hospital bed, listening to this sudden complaint, and her heart was cold. She thought that although she was old and sick, she could still bring some warmth to her son and daughter-in-law, but she didn't know that it had become a burden on their lives.
After Wang Qing hung up the phone, she turned her head and realized that Aunt Li was not asleep. "Auntie, are you awake? Sorry to wake you up. ”
Aunt Li barely wrung out a smile, "Qing'er, it's me who has nothing to trouble you, and it's not easy for you." However, you also have to think about it, our family is a family, and we should be on top of it together in case of trouble, and we can't leave it halfway. ”
"Auntie, I'm ......" Wang Qing stopped talking, and the guilt on her face was clear.
At this time, Aunt Chen pushed the door in, and she could see the abnormality of the atmosphere at a glance. Although she heard Wang Qing's complaints, she didn't want to expose them in person, so she just smiled and handed Aunt Li the fruit, "Auntie, I brought you some fresh fruit, you can taste it." ”
"Aunt Chen, thank you. Although Aunt Li's voice was soft, the emotion of gratitude was clear.
After this visit, Aunt Li's mood became even heavier. She is sincerely pleased with her upcoming grandson, but her daughter-in-law's true thoughts are like a thorn in her heart.
In the next few days, Aunt Li often lay in a daze on the hospital bed. In the past, loyalty and dedication to the family seemed to be insignificant at this moment. She began to wonder if she had really taken care of this family in her life.
Aunt Li's condition finally improved after being in a coma for many days, and she opened her hazy eyes and felt a new life. The lights of the hospital were not dazzling, but they illuminated the confusion in her heart. She began to reflect on her past life, and the true meaning of family and support, which she had not thought about when she was younger, suddenly became clear.
A few days later, Aunt Li, who had regained her sight, sat on the edge of the hospital bed, slowly drinking the chicken soup specially stewed by Dr. Wang, and said seriously: "Dr. Wang, I always thought that your family was your sick and someone would take care of you. But now, I feel like I have to be independent. ”
Dr. Wang smiled slightly: "Aunt Li, you said as if you were going on an adventure, in fact, independence is also a good choice, sometimes, people need new space and breath. ”
Aunt Li nodded and said firmly, "Yes, I plan to live in a community elderly care center." I've heard that there are a lot of people my age there who can learn to draw and sing, and I'm going to start my second spring. ”
On the day she was discharged from the hospital, Aunt Li's son Li Ming also hurried back. He looked at his mother in a wheelchair and was about to leave, and said apologetically: "Mom, I'm sorry, it's me who failed to fulfill the responsibility of a son." ”
"I don't blame you, Ming'er. Aunt Li responded gently, "I'm also selfish, always thinking that you want to revolve around me." Now that I've figured it out, we should all have our own lives. ”
Li Ming held his mother's hand, tears flashing in his eyes: "Mom, then you must take care of your body, and tell me if you need anything." ”
"Don't worry. Aunt Li smiled, full of anticipation for the future.
Wang Qing was also on the side, she looked at Aunt Li, her heart was full of guilt and admiration: "Auntie, that... My previous words..."
"Silly boy, who hasn't complained?" Aunt Li comforted, "You and Ming'er should be well, I will come back to see you often, and I will bring my newly learned songs to sing to you when the time comes." ”
The community senior care center gave Aunt Li a new home, a warm and vibrant environment. Her life is full of color again, and in addition to participating in activities every day, she also takes the initiative to help comfort the elderly who are in a bad mood. She felt needed again, and the satisfaction in her heart filled her with happiness.
Today, she sits by the window, with a yarn in her hand, and gently knits a small sweater for a gift for her upcoming grandson. Looking at the flowery courtyard outside the window, a shallow question surged in her heart: Is true happiness hidden in this ordinary and real life?