It was a turbulent era, I was eighteen years old, and I had the ambition to serve the country. In the autumn of that year, the neighbor's old man Zhang did me a great favor and enabled me to embark on the road to the army.
I remember that day, I was worried about not being able to pass the physical examination, Lao Zhang patted me on the shoulder, smiled and said, "Xiao Chen, I have an old comrade-in-arms in the army, help you with activities, it should be no problem." ”
Sure enough, shortly after, I received a notice of enlistment. Before leaving, Lao Zhang encouraged me: "Work hard, don't embarrass our hometown!" ”
Time flies, and ten years have passed in a blink of an eye. I've grown from a recruit to a lieutenant. During this period, I went through hardships, but whenever I thought of my relatives in my hometown, I gritted my teeth and persevered.
This time I went home to visit my family, and I decided to visit Lao Zhang. He is in his old age, but he is in good spirits. During the chat, I couldn't help but mention his granddaughter, Xiaofang. When we were children, we used to play together, and now she is slim.
Lao Zhang smiled and said, "Xiao Chen, what do you think of Xiao Fang?" ”
I was stunned for a moment, and then said seriously: "I think she is very good, kind, generous, and beautiful." ”
Lao Zhang laughed: "Then I'll rest assured." In fact, you have exchanged letters over the years, and I can see that you like each other. I don't dare to expect you to come together, but if you do, I'll die without regrets. ”
I looked at Lao Zhang in surprise, I didn't expect him to be so open. I said sincerely: "Grandpa Zhang, I will definitely treat Xiaofang well." ”
Soon after, I confessed to Xiaofang, and she shyly agreed. We started planning for the wedding and everything was so good.
However, fate gave us a heavy blow at this time. During one of my missions, I was injured and my left leg was amputated. I fell into deep despair and felt that I was no longer worthy of Xiaofang.
When I told Xiaofang the news, she was silent for a long time, and then said firmly: "I don't care, as long as we love each other, we can overcome everything." ”
With the blessings of relatives and friends, we entered the palace of marriage. Lao Zhang smiled from ear to ear, and said repeatedly: "I knew that you would be happy." ”
After marriage, Xiaofang became my crutch and accompanied me through the wind and rain. I trained hard in the army and finally became an excellent instructor. Xiaofang, on the other hand, became a nurse in the hospital and cared for every life with love.
Every time in the dead of night, I will think of Lao Zhang's words: "Work hard, don't embarrass our hometown." "I know very well that I have to do more than this, but also let Lao Zhang see in the spirit of heaven that his granddaughter lives happily.
Nowadays, our life is plain, but full of warmth. I believe that as long as we walk hand in hand, the future will be better.
Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, Xiaofang and I have spent five spring and autumn seasons. In life, we support each other and face difficulties together. At work, we are busy and working hard for our ideals.
On this day, I received a special letter from a retired veteran general, a friend of Lao Zhang's former life. He invited me to attend a commemorative event to recognize Lao Zhang's contributions to the country. I was filled with emotion in my heart and decided to take Xiaofang with me.
At the event, the old general held my hand and said excitedly: "Xiao Chen, you are the pride of Lao Zhang." He often mentions you as a productive child. ”
I said with emotion: "Thank you old general, I will continue to work hard and live up to Grandpa Zhang's expectations." ”
After the commemoration, Xiaofang and I walked through the streets, reminiscing about Lao Zhang's bits and pieces. At this time, Xiaofang suddenly stopped, looked at me and said, "Husband, should we do something to commemorate Grandpa Zhang?" ”
I pondered for a moment, and then my eyes lit up: "By the way, we can set up a scholarship to help children who have dreams like we did back then." ”
Xiao Fang smiled and nodded, her eyes shining with happiness.
Let's start preparing for the scholarship. With the help of family and friends, we raised a fund and set up a foundation in our hometown called the Lao Zhang Scholarship.
In the first year, we sponsored three underprivileged students with excellent academic performance. The moment they accepted the scholarship, Xiaofang and I couldn't hold back our tears. This strengthened our determination to continue to do so.
As the days passed, our foundation became more and more influential. Many enthusiastic people have joined in to help more children with dreams.
And our lives are changing. Xiaofang is pregnant, and we are about to usher in a new life. I was so excited that I vowed in my heart that I must be a good father and let my children thrive in a happy environment.
On a sunny day, we took our children to Lao Zhang's grave. I said softly, "Grandpa Zhang, we've come to see you." We have fulfilled your wishes, and we will continue to work hard to benefit more children. ”
Xiao Fang put a bouquet of flowers in front of the tombstone, tears flashing in her eyes: "Grandpa Zhang, you will be very happy to see us so happy in the Spirit of Heaven." ”
We stood there quietly, feeling the breath of Lao Zhang. At this moment, I understood the meaning of life, which is to pass on love and make the world a better place.
On the way back, I held Xiaofang's hand tightly and said confidently: "We will go on hand in hand and let this love be passed on to more people." ”
Xiao Fang smiled and nodded, snuggling in my arms. We look into the distance together, where there are our dreams and our goals. And all of this is because of Lao Zhang's good deeds back then, which made us understand love and responsibility.
As time goes on, our children grow up and begin to show extraordinary talent in learning. Whenever we see him (her) studying diligently, Xiaofang and I feel very grateful, as if we saw our own shadow back then.
One weekend, we took our children to the office of the Lao Zhang Scholarship Foundation. I look at the photos of the children we have sponsored, and a warm current wells up in my heart. Xiaofang said softly: "Husband, we should not only pay attention to the children's learning, but also care about their lives, so that they can feel the warmth of home." ”
I nodded, convinced. Therefore, we decided to set up a volunteer team to organize regular activities so that these children can feel cared for by society.
Soon after, our team of volunteers started their first activity. We take the children to the countryside to play, breathe in the fresh air and feel the beauty of nature. Looking at their cheerful laughter, I couldn't help but sigh in my heart: this is the true meaning of life, giving love and harvesting happiness.
During the event, I met a boy named Xiaojie, who was a beneficiary of the "Lao Zhang Scholarship". Xiaojie told me that he dreamed of becoming a doctor and treating people in his hometown. I encouraged him: "Xiaojie, as long as you work hard, your dream will definitely come true." ”
Xiao Fang also joined us in the conversation, smiling and saying, "Xiao Jie, you know what? Your dreams are very similar to our original dreams. We are sure that you will achieve it. ”
The days are busy and fulfilling, and our foundation and volunteer team are getting bigger and bigger. And Xiaojie was also admitted to medical school as he wished, and began his journey to seek medical treatment.
One night, I sat alone in my study, looking through the photos with Lao Zhang. I can't help but think back to the way he encouraged me back then, and my heart is full of emotion. At this time, Xiaofang walked in, gently hugged my shoulder, and comforted, "Husband, I know what you are thinking. We must continue to work hard to make Lao Zhang proud of his inspiration. ”
I raised my head and looked at Xiao Fang's concerned eyes, and a warmth welled up in my heart. I know that I have found the most precious thing in my life – companionship and understanding.
Soon after, we received a call from the old general, who invited us to a seminar on youth education. We readily agreed and shared our experiences and insights at the meeting. After the meeting, many people paid tribute to us and believed that we had made great contributions to the education of our hometown.
However, we know in our hearts that this is just the beginning. In the future, we will continue to work hard to help more children in need.
One day, we received a letter from Xiaojie. In the letter, he wrote: "Thank you for your help and encouragement during my most difficult time. Now, I have successfully completed my studies and am ready to return to my hometown to serve the people of my hometown. It was you who made me understand that love and responsibility can be passed on. ”
Looking at this letter, Xiaofang and I had tears in our eyes. We know that our efforts have not been in vain, and this love has been passed on to more people.
Driven by love and responsibility, we move on. We believe that as long as we persevere, this love will spread all over the earth and benefit more people. This is our life's pursuit.
Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, our children have grown up, inherited our mantle, become an excellent teacher, and continue to contribute to the education of their hometown. And I, too, was honorably retired from the army and returned to an ordinary life.
One day, when I was sorting out the photos full of memories at home, Xiaofang walked into the study and asked softly, "Husband, do you remember the first time we organized volunteer activities?" The smiling faces of those children seemed to be right in front of them. ”
I put down the photo in my hand and looked at Xiaofang: "Of course I remember, it was one of the most memorable moments of my life. It was also at that time that our children learned to care for others. ”
Xiao Fang nodded, tears flashing in her eyes: "Yes, our children have been volunteering with us since they were young, and now they have become role models for the children. All of this is thanks to Grandpa Zhang. ”
I nodded with deep feeling. At this time, the phone rang suddenly, and it was Xiaojie calling. He said excitedly: "Uncle Chen, I'm back, I want to go back to my hometown hospital to work and serve the people in my hometown." ”
Xiaofang and I were very happy to hear the news. I encouraged him: "Xiaojie, you will definitely be a good doctor, and the people in your hometown need you." ”
It didn't take long for Xiaojie to really return to his hometown and become a doctor at the local hospital. He was a skilled and enthusiastic person, and was deeply loved by the villagers.
One day, I took my children to visit Xiaojie. He was treating an elderly patient, and when he saw us coming in, he greeted us with a smile: "Uncle Chen, you are here, come in and sit." ”
I watched Xiaojie work hard, and my heart was full of pride. At this time, the patient looked at Xiaojie gratefully: "Thank you, Dr. Xiaojie, thanks to you, my condition has improved." ”
Xiaojie said modestly: "This is my duty, you don't have to be polite." ”
On the way home, I said to my child, "See? Dr. Xiaojie uses his knowledge and skills to bring health and hope to the people of his hometown. That's what we've been pursuing, so that love can be passed on. ”
The child nodded earnestly, his eyes shining with admiration.
Our foundation and volunteer team have gone through dozens of spring and autumn seasons. During this period, we have witnessed the growth of countless children and felt the great changes in our hometown.
Today, Xiaofang and I have entered the twilight of our lives, but our hearts are still young. Because we know that as long as there is love in our hearts, we can make our lives full of sunshine.
When I look at the children who were once sponsored by us, they are now the backbone of all walks of life, and my heart is full of satisfaction. I think this is our life's pursuit, so that love and responsibility can be passed on and more people can benefit.
In the days to come, Xiaofang and I will continue to move forward hand in hand to build a bridge to their dreams for the children in our hometown. Because we believe that as long as we persevere, this love will spread all over the earth and benefit more people. And this is our life's pursuit.