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My name is Wang Ming, I am over 70 years old this year, and I am the eldest in this family. We are a traditional Chinese family that values family ethics and traditional etiquette. I have a son named Jay, and a daughter-in-law named Xiaohong, and their child, my grandson Jay.
It started the other day, in the afternoon of a Sunday. I was sitting on the living room couch reading a newspaper when my son Jie hurried into the living room with joy on his face.
"Dad, I have something good to tell you!" he said cheerfully.
I raised my eyes and looked at him with a smile. "Oh, what's the good thing, kid?"
"Jay Lun got into college!" he said excitedly.
When I heard the news, my heart also rejoiced. I have always valued education and hope that my grandchildren will have a bright future. Jaylen is a smart kid and I'm looking forward to his future.
"Great! Great!" I said happily, "That's great news!"
However, I saw that Jay's expression was a little hesitant, as if something was tangled in his heart. I couldn't help but frown. "What's wrong, kid, is there anything wrong?" I asked.
Jay was silent for a moment, then sighed. "Dad, I'm actually a little stumped about this. ”
"What's wrong, shouldn't you be happy?" I asked, a little confused.
"That's right, Dad. Jie said with some embarrassment, "I know you want to give Jay a red envelope, but I discussed it with Xiaohong, and we don't think it's good." ”
I listened, a little surprised, and a little disappointed. I have always been accustomed to giving red envelopes to children on major festivals or festive occasions, which is also a tradition in our family, representing blessings and support.
"Why? It's a family tradition. I asked, a little puzzled.
"Dad, I know it's tradition, but we're not in a good financial situation right now. Jay said with some embarrassment, "We think that this money can be kept for Jay in the future, or when the family needs it urgently." ”
I listened and was silent for a moment. I know that what my son said is also reasonable, after all, the current socio-economic situation is really not optimistic, and it is also a wise move to keep money for backup. However, I am still a little reluctant in my heart, after all, giving red envelopes to children has been my habit for many years, and it is also my way of expressing my blessings and support to them.
"But it's a child's celebration. I said helplessly, "Don't do this, I think this money should be given to him." ”
"Dad, listen to me. Jay looked at me, his tone full of sincerity, "It's not that we don't appreciate your kindness, it's just that we don't think it's the best time." ”
I listened to his words and was a little touched in my heart. I know that as an elder, I should respect their decision, after all, they are the parents of the child and have more consideration for the future of the child. However, I still have some reluctance in my heart, which is a habit I have made for many years and is also my way of expressing my love for my children.
"Well," I sighed, "and since you say so, I won't force you." ”
I know that there are some things that may not be up to me, and I should respect their decision, even though it hurts my heart a little. After all, as an elder, the most important thing for me is to want them to live happily and not for a little bit of money.
Seeing me like this, Jay gently patted me on the shoulder. "Dad, thank you for your understanding. He said, "We'll take good care of Jay." ”
I nodded, trying to squeeze out a smile. "I know you're good parents. "As long as the child is healthy and happy, nothing else matters." ”
Although I try to look strong, there is still some reluctance in my heart. I know that I am just an elder and cannot interfere with their decisions, but I always feel a little regretful in my heart. I want my grandchildren to live a happy life, but I feel a little powerless about what I can do for them.
At this moment, daughter-in-law Xiaohong walked in. Seeing that we were all a little silent, she asked with some concern, "What's the matter, what are you two thinking?"
Jay and I looked at each other, and then Jay gently told Xiaohong about the red envelope. Xiaohong listened, frowned, and was silent for a moment.
"Dad, I don't think you should force them. "They have their considerations. ”
I listened, a little surprised. Xiaohong is usually a very gentle and virtuous girl, and rarely opposes my son. But this time, she was on her son's side, which surprised me a little.
"Xiaohong, why do you say that?" I said angrily, "Do you think I've done something wrong?"
Xiaohong looked at me, her tone full of understanding and explanation. "Dad, I don't think you're wrong. "It's just that we're having some difficulties right now, and we need to think about our future plans." ”
I listened to her and felt a little uncomfortable. I felt isolated, and even my closest daughter-in-law was on their side. I felt a little lost and felt like I was becoming more and more redundant in this family.
"Okay, I see. I sighed, "You have your considerations, and I won't force you." ”
I know, I don't have anything more to say. As an elder, I should respect their decision, even if it makes me feel a little uncomfortable. After all, they are my son and daughter-in-law, and their decisions are for the future of the children and family, and I should respect and support their choices.
I watched them walk out of the living room and felt a little empty in my heart. I felt that I had no meaning in this family, and I began to wonder if I was still worthwhile here. I couldn't help but wonder what I could do to regain my value as an existential being.
For the next few days, I was in a very low mood. I felt like I had become a non-existent in the family, and I even felt that I might not need it anymore. Every day I silently do my own thing and rarely communicate with my family.
However, one night, one thing made me re-examine my worth. I was sitting in the living room in a daze when I suddenly heard a scream outside. I was so shocked that I ran to the window and looked out.
It turned out that Jay was playing with a group of children, and they were chasing each other and running around the yard. Jay's laughter echoed in the night sky, and he looked so happy and carefree.
I looked at him, and a warm current suddenly swelled up in my heart. It dawned on me that I was still valuable to the family, and that although I might not be able to give them the same financial support as I used to, I could give them more love and companionship.
I decided to change myself and become a better elder and give them more love and support. So, the next day, I decided to cook a nice dinner and a delicious meal for my family.
That night, I prepared a sumptuous dinner and served them with dishes that I do best. My son Jie and daughter-in-law Xiaohong were a little surprised to see me like this, but they still accepted my hospitality very gratefully.
"Dad, you're so nice. Jie said with emotion, "We will cherish the family reunion time more in the future." ”
I smiled, feeling satisfied. "You're welcome, kid. I said, "Family time is the most precious thing, and we should cherish it." ”
After dinner, we sat around the living room and chatted. I started chatting with Jay about his studies and life, and he happily showed me some of his work and transcripts. I looked at his bright smiling face and felt extremely relieved.
"Dad, I will definitely study hard. Jaylen said, "I'm going to make you all proud." ”
I touched his head and said with a smile, "Good boy, as long as you work hard, we will all be proud of you." ”
On that night, I felt like I had regained my value in existence. I no longer feel like a superfluous being, but an elder who can give love and support to my family. I decided to cherish the time I spent with my family and make them feel cared for and warm.
As time went on, my relationship with my family gradually became more harmonious. I started to get more involved in the family, cooking, chatting, going for walks, and enjoying the happy time of family togetherness.
However, it was in this harmonious atmosphere that an unexpected event broke my peace. It was a weekend afternoon, and I was playing in the yard with Jay when I suddenly heard my son Jay's voice coming from the house.
"Xiaohong, look at this bill, we have overspent. Jay's voice sounded worried.
When I heard this, I couldn't help but stop what I was doing, and I felt a little nervous. I know that the family's financial situation has not been very optimistic, and although I no longer give red envelopes to my children, they are still facing a lot of financial pressure.
I hurriedly walked into the house and saw my son Jie and daughter-in-law Xiaohong looking at a bill seriously. They all had a worried look on their faces, which made me feel a little uneasy.
"What's the matter, kids, what's the matter?" I asked.
Jay and Xiaohong glanced at each other, and then Jay sighed. "Dad, we've overspent. "We're really hard at the moment. ”
When I heard this, I felt a little distressed. I know that the current socio-economic situation is really not optimistic, and the children are worried about the cost of living every month. Although I don't give them red envelopes anymore, I still feel a little guilty in my heart.
"Dad, we really don't know what to do now. Xiaohong said, "We have little savings left, and we have to use our children's tuition and living expenses." ”
I looked at them and felt a pang of distress in my heart. Even though I'm old, I still want to do something for them to make their lives a little easier. I decided I wanted to help them through this.
"Don't worry, kids. I reassured, "If we are a family, we will be able to get through this." ”
I decided to find a way to help my children get through this and make their lives better. Although I am old, I still have a heart that is willing to give to my family, and I will do my best to help them.
After much deliberation, I decided to find a way to help the children through this difficult time. So, I started thinking about what I could do to help them through this economic crisis.
The next day, I decided to discuss with the children. I sat in the living room, waiting for them to arrive. After a while, Jie and Xiaohong walked in and were a little surprised to see me sitting there.
"Dad, are you here?" Jay asked, "What's the matter?"
I nodded and looked at them earnestly. "I want to talk to you about how we should deal with the current economic difficulties. I said.
They listened, looking a little nervous, but sat down anyway, ready to listen to me.
"I know that the current economic situation is really not very optimistic. "But I believe that as long as we work together, we can get through this." ”
I began to work with them to analyze the family's expenses and incomes to find ways to save money and increase income. We decided to start with some aspects of our lives, such as saving water and electricity, reducing unnecessary expenses, and so on. In addition, I would suggest that they consider some side hustles or part-time jobs to supplement their family's income.
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