Hello everyone, my name is Zhang Defu, I am 65 years old this year, and I am a retired teacher. Teaching is my life's work and the sustenance of my soul. Despite my age, my enthusiasm has not been diminished by retirement.
After retirement, I lived a leisurely life, except for doing some housework, I wandered around the community or read a book every day. Sometimes, I would get together with my former colleagues and talk about the past. However, leisure life can also be a little boring over time.
Once, I was reading a book at home when my son Zhang Xiaoming suddenly came to see me.
"Dad, how are you doing?" Xiao Ming asked with concern.
I smiled and said, "It's not bad, it's just a little too leisurely." What about you? Are you doing well?"
"Dad, I see you're bored staying at home all day. Xiao Ming suddenly had a bad idea, "Why don't I introduce you to a job?" 8,000 yuan a month, you can try it!"
My only son, Zhang Xiaoming, is a sales manager in a foreign company, and he is very busy with his work, but he also earns a lot of money. He and his daughter-in-law, Zhang Fang, live in a neighborhood not far from me. Xiao Ming has always been a good son of filial piety, and my relationship with him is also very good.
Still, Xiao Ming's proposal surprised me. I asked, "But I'm already retired, so how can anyone want to hire me as an old man?"
"Don't worry, it's my friend's company, they're short of manpower. Xiao Ming smiled and said, "And didn't you always say that you want to dedicate what you have learned to society? This is a good opportunity." "
I was hesitant. On the one hand, I was a bit bored and wanted to use my spare heat to spread knowledge. On the other hand, I was worried that I was too old to learn something new. I said to Xiao Ming, "But I'm over 60 years old, how much energy do I have to work?"
"Didn't you always say, 'Live and learn'?" Xiao Ming persuaded, "This job shouldn't be too tiring, so you can give it a go." "
After some struggle, I finally made up my mind. After all, the salary of 8,000 yuan is quite considerable for me, a retired old man, and the work should not be too hard.
"Okay, let's try it first. I told Xiao Ming, "But you have to promise, if I can't do it, let me quit." "
Xiao Ming clapped his hands happily: "Great! I have already said it for you, I will go to work tomorrow!"
At first, I was a little uncomfortable with modern teaching methods. In school, I used to be alone on the podium. And here, we need to adopt a more interactive model and involve the students in person.
"Teacher, what does it mean to say, 'I see the future as infinite and sad'?"
"Great question. I nodded approvingly and began to explain the meaning of the sentence.
In this way, with the active interaction of the students, I gradually integrated into this new teaching mode.
Most of my students are office workers, they are diligent and eager to learn, and the classroom atmosphere is very lively. Sometimes, a good question will get us discussing for more than half an hour. I was also infected by their enthusiasm, and I always felt a tired but fulfilled sense of happiness after each class.
In one class, I was explaining the famous sentence of "The Story of Yueyang Tower", "The worries of the world first". One of the students suddenly asked, "Teacher, what do you think people should worry about today?"
"Good question!" I clapped my hands happily, "What do you think, classmates?"
The students raised their hands to express their opinions. Some people say it's environmental pollution, some say it's moral decay, some say it's the disparity between the rich and the poor, and so on. Everyone's views vary widely, but they all have great insights.
And just like that, I found myself getting more and more involved in my new job. Although the salary is not high, I am very happy to be able to pass on what I have learned to others. Every time I finish a class, I am encouraged by the applause of the students. I feel like my life is full of meaning again.
"Dad, how are you doing?" Xiao Ming suddenly asked me one day.
"Very well, I'm happy now. I laughed and said, "It's good to be a teacher in school, but it's not as enthusiastic as the students here." After I finish a class, they often say thank you!"
Xiao Ming looked at my eyes and was sincerely happy for me. "That's great," he said. It's better for you to be like this than to stay at home all day. "
Indeed, I feel that my life is full of meaning and joy again. As long as you can stick to your ideals, you will not hesitate to be poor. Money is important, but health and spiritual prosperity are just as important.
Just when I was starting to enjoy my new job, something unexpected happened.
One day, daughter-in-law Zhang Fang said to Xiao Ming: "Your father only earns 8,000 yuan a month, which is too little." We might as well just give him money and let him rest at home. "
Xiao Ming told me about it. I immediately expressed my firm opposition.
"Son, I'm not here for money, but for spreading my knowledge. I waved my hand and said, "You've given me too much, and I've earned enough of that salary." "
But Zhang Fang is very stubborn, she thinks that I should have a good rest at my age, instead of going to work and exhausting my body.
"If you don't persuade your dad to resign, I won't save money for him. She forced Xiao Ming to say, "His money can only be deposited in my card at that time!"
When I heard the news, I was very angry. I felt like I hadn't done anything wrong, so why should I be treated like this? I made up my mind to keep working.
"Son, you can choose who you want to listen to. I said firmly to Xiao Ming, "But I have already decided, I want to live on my own." "
Xiao Ming relayed my thoughts to Zhang Fang. But Zhang Fang was even more stubborn, she thought that I was old and should have a good rest.
"Either you persuade him to resign, or we'll separate. Zhang Fang said coldly, "I won't let him deposit the money in my card!"
In the face of Zhang Fang's tough attitude, Xiao Ming once fell into a dilemma. In the end, in order not to hurt me, he chose to separate from Zhang Fang.
"Dad, I'm sorry, I messed things up. "After moving to my house, Xiao Ming blamed himself for a while.
I comforted him and said, "Son, you have thought a lot about me. It's just that there are some things that even relatives shouldn't interfere too much with. "
With Xiao Ming's support, I was hungry for work. I have found that work not only brings me income, but also keeps my spirits high.
Every morning, I go out to work refreshed. In the evening, I happily returned home to share the day's harvest with my son. Gradually, I realized that working in retirement is not about making money, but about making life meaningful.
For a period of time after the separation, Xiao Ming has been blaming himself, feeling that he messed things up. But I don't think so.
"Son, you've thought a lot about me. I enlightened him and said, "It's just that there are some things that even relatives shouldn't interfere too much in. You're not wrong, it's Zhang Fang who is too stubborn. "
Xiao Ming nodded, although he still felt a little guilty in his heart, but he was gradually relieved.
With the support of my son, I was hungry for work. Every morning, I leave for work in high spirits, and in the evening, I happily return home to share the day's moments with my son.
"A student asked a very good question today, and I talked about it for almost an hour!" That's what I'll say to Xiao Ming.
Xiao Ming looked at my eyes and was sincerely happy for me: "Great, Dad, it's much better for you to be like this than staying at home all day." "
Gradually, I found that work not only brings me income, but also keeps my spirits high. There are so many new things waiting for me to learn and experience every day, and my life has become full and happy.
Once, on the podium, I suddenly asked the students, "Students, what do you think is the meaning of life?"
The students raised their hands to express their opinions, and their views were different. Some people say that it is a successful career, some people say that it is a full house of children and grandchildren, and some people say that it is to serve the motherland and so on.
After class, one of the students said to me, "Teacher Zhang, you are so reasonable. I've benefited a lot!"
I smiled, and there was an inexplicable sense of accomplishment in my heart. It's a rewarding job to be able to share what you've learned and think to others.
Working after retirement is not about making money, but about making life meaningful. Money is important, but health and spiritual well-being are just as important, if not more so.
One day, I was grading the students' homework at home, and Xiao Ming suddenly said to me, "Dad, you are working hard now, shouldn't you have a good rest?"
I smiled and shook my head, "Hard? I've never felt that way." On the contrary, I'm happy now. You say, is there anything more meaningful than passing on what you have learned to others?"
Xiao Ming was silent for a moment, and seemed to be moved by my words. He said, "You have a point. However, you should also take proper rest and not get too tired. "
I patted my son on the shoulder, and my heart was filled with happiness. With such a considerate son, what is there to regret in my life? As long as I stick to my ideals, my life will be incomparably brighter.
In this way, more than a year passed quickly. During this time, I have been doing a good job and have gradually won the love of my students.
One day, Zhang Fang suddenly took the initiative to come to see me. As soon as she entered the door, she had red eyes and apologized to me: "Uncle Zhang, I'm too stubborn to make you work at your age." Forgive me for being a daughter-in-law!"
I hurriedly stepped forward to hug her and comforted, "Okay, okay, it's all over." You young people, you're always impulsive. "
Zhang Fang wiped her tears and said to me solemnly, "Uncle, you can continue to work." I already know from Xiao Ming how much you love this job. How can we young people understand your feelings?"
I smiled and nodded, grateful. With the understanding and support of my family, my work is more meaningful.
On that day, Xiao Ming and Zhang Fang also got back together. Our family of three was happy and lived in harmony as before.
Since then, my life has become more fulfilling and interesting. When I go to work during the day, I will tell the students about the latest teaching experience. When I go home in the evening, I will tell Xiao Ming and Zhang Fang about the wonderful speeches of the students. We love each other and have a good time.
It wasn't until many years later that my job finally came to an end. On the day I left, the students couldn't hide their sadness and hugged me one after another, keeping me to continue working. I smiled and shook my head, but I never forgot this job.
Yes, during those years, I not only earned money, but more importantly, I gained happiness and meaning in life. As I often say, "As long as you can stick to your ideals, even if you have nothing, life will still be brilliant." "
Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, I am 75 years old. Although the body has always been tough, the energy really can't keep up with the year. One day, I finally made up my mind and decided to leave my job.
"Students, I have an important thing to announce. I stood on the podium and looked around at the concerned faces in the audience, "Considering my age, I have decided to leave my job after the end of this semester. "
There was an uproar in the audience, and the students all showed surprised and reluctant looks.
"Teacher Zhang, can't you think about it anymore, we all need your guidance!" One student said anxiously.
I smiled, feeling a little sad in my heart, but more of a nostalgia and attachment to this job.
"Students, I know you don't want me to leave. However, life is like this, there is always a time to part. I said, "But be assured that you have gained enough knowledge to fly higher and farther." "
After class, the students came to me to keep me. Some burst into tears, others spoke incoherently. Looking at these lovely students, I have mixed feelings.
"Teacher Zhang, can't you think about it anymore, we really need your guidance!" One student choked up.
I patted him on the shoulder and said earnestly, "Son, you have grown up, and it is time for you to learn to be self-reliant." The teacher will never finish teaching you, the key is to rely on your own exploration and practice. "
I smiled and hugged her: "Silly boy, you have gained enough knowledge to fly higher and farther." Although I am gone, you must always have a heart of learning and live to learn. "
In this way, I hugged each student one by one, encouraging and motivating them in my own way. Although I was reluctant, I knew that this day was coming sooner or later.
Just one day before I left my job, I was going to take my last class. I have mixed feelings, both attachment to this job and reluctance to give up on the students.
"Students, today is my last class here. I stood on the podium and said in a serious voice, "Ten years ago, I went from a retired teacher to your teacher. Now, ten years later, I'm leaving here, leaving you. "
There was silence in the audience, and everyone listened intently to my words.
"I've learned a lot from you guys in these ten years. You have infected me with your diligence and studiousness, and have rekindled my thirst for knowledge. My voice was a little choked, "It was you who gave me spiritual sustenance and made my life more brilliant." "
I took a deep breath and continued, "Although I am leaving, please always have a heart to learn. Living and learning is the greatest meaning of life. I hope you can all fly higher and farther and achieve a career. "
With that, I bowed my head and bowed deeply to the students. The audience burst into thunderous applause, and some students even burst into tears. At this moment, my heart was filled with great happiness and relief.
On the day of their resignation, the students could not hide their sadness. They hugged me and kept me working.
"Teacher Zhang, we really can't bear you!" One student choked up.
I smiled and shook my head, but I never forgot this job. Yes, in these ten years, I have not only earned money, but more importantly, I have gained happiness and meaning in life.
"Students, although I am leaving, please always have a heart to learn. I said earnestly, "Living and learning is the greatest meaning of life." I hope you can all fly higher and farther and achieve a career. "
After that, I hugged each student one last time. Although I was reluctant, I knew that this day was coming sooner or later.
Just as I was about to leave, a student suddenly shouted, "Teacher Zhang, we all love you!
I turned around and smiled at the students in the audience, filled with infinite happiness and relief. Yes, in the past ten years, I have not only passed on my knowledge to them, but more importantly, they have infected me with diligence and enthusiasm, making my life more brilliant and meaningful.
The moment I left the training facility, I took a deep breath. Although I am saying goodbye to this job, I will never forget the joy and happiness that this place once gave me.
As long as you stick to your ideals, even if you are poor, your life is still brilliant. It was this job that made me realize this again. From now on, I will continue to live and learn until the last moment of my life.