On an ordinary weekend, the atmosphere at home is unusually peaceful, the willow trees outside the window gently sway in the wind, Li Hua sits in the study with the faint fragrance of ink, flipping through the old books left by her father, Wang Wei. I walked up to her quietly, looking at her focused expression, and I couldn't help but feel a warm current in my heart. Since Li Hua, who became an only child, has taken on the responsibility of caring for her elderly father, there seems to be an invisible burden on her shoulders.
"Husband, you say, if I can't be with my dad one day, will he feel lonely?" Li Hua turned his head with a little worry in his eyes.
I gently took her hand and gave her the most determined gaze, "Wife, you are the best daughter in the world." No matter what happens in the future, we will face it together, and you are not alone. "
Li Hua leaned on my shoulder and replied softly, "Thank you, with you, I have courage." "
Since his retirement, Wang Wei has lived a leisurely life in his old age, often taking Li Hua to the park to teach her to play chess and talk about the past when she was young. Although the years have carved deep marks on his face, those eyes full of wisdom still sparkle with happiness and contentment. Li Hua often talked to me about how she admired her father's attitude to life and her endless love for him.
As Wang Wei grew older, his health gradually became a hidden concern for Li Hua. Despite this, she never complained, but worked harder while being by her father's side as much as possible. Every time he came home from work, Li Hua always asked about his father's condition as soon as possible, and then went to other housework.
However, no matter how peaceful and happy the day is, there always seems to be sudden changes. When I looked up out the window again, the clouds on the horizon had turned gray, suggesting an impending storm. Li Hua folded her hands as if praying for the unknown to come, and I knew that no matter what happened, I would be there for her.
That afternoon, it was overcast, and as soon as I walked into the house, I saw Li Hua sitting on the sofa, holding a medical report in her hand, her eyes empty and dull. My heart sank, and I felt bad.
"What's wrong, wife?" I asked softly, crouching down, trying to align with her gaze.
Li Hua's voice choked, and he trembled and handed me the report, "It's Dad's, the doctor said...... He didn't have much time. "Hearing the news, my heart was like a knife, but at this moment, I feel more sorry for Li Hua than my pain.
We sat there, hugging each other, each other's body temperatures and heavy breathing churning the air around us. But Li Hua is a strong woman, tears are only a short expression, she quickly collected her emotions, "I have to go to the hospital." ”
I held her hand tightly, "I'll go with you." ”
The corridors of the hospital echoed with the sound of our heavy footsteps, and every step felt like stepping on my heart. Wang Wei was lying on the hospital bed, his face pale, but when he saw us, his long-lost smile spread on his face again, "Hua'er, Li Ming, you are here." ”
In the days that followed, we took turns staying by Wang Wei's side, doing everything we could to make him feel comfortable and at ease. The seasons change outside the window of the hospital, but our hearts are frozen by winter, and every time Wang Wei's breathing fluctuates, our hearts will be raised.
Finally, that day came. Li Hua clutched his father's hand tightly, and tears fell silently again. I stood by and stood silently in support of her, even as I struggled with my grief. Wang Wei left us peacefully, leaving his footprints and memories in this world, and his smile will always be engraved in our hearts.
The night before the funeral, Li Hua was busy dealing with the aftermath, she was like a strong rock, facing tedious and cold worldly affairs. I helped out on the sidelines and did my best to share her load. In the evening, we both sat in the living room, relatively silent. Li Hua leaned on the sofa tiredly, and I looked at her, and a feeling of powerlessness and guilt surged in my heart.
"Wife, you're tired, let's go rest first." I said softly.
"I'm fine, I want to stay with my dad a little longer." Li Hua's voice was already choked. I know that no amount of comfort is powerless, and what she needs now is time.
Late at night, Li Hua finally fell asleep in my arms, but I couldn't close my eyes. I looked out the window at the night sky, and the few sparse stars seemed to be the guardian left to us by Wang Wei. I have so many words in my heart that I want to say, but I don't know where to start. Wang Wei's departure has become an insurmountable hill in our lives, and at this moment, we can only find a trace of comfort in each other's warmth.
The day of the funeral finally came, and the sky was gray, which seemed to have put a curtain of mourning on Wang Wei's departure. The living room of the house was crowded with friends and family, and the silence was filled with occasional suppressed cries and whispers. Li Hua sat on the side, folded her hands, and whispered the scriptures, and I felt as if her thin body was going to fall down at any moment.
I took a deep breath and walked to the door to greet the new guest. As a son-in-law, I tried to keep my composure and thank them for coming in as peaceful a voice as possible. Unexpectedly, the greetings of the neighbors were like sharp needles, one stitch after another piercing my heart.
"Li Ming, you have worked hard, you have been busy in the past few days." Old Uncle Chen patted me on the shoulder, his face sad.
I try to squeeze out a smile, "It's okay, this is what I'm supposed to do." ”
At three o'clock in the morning, when everyone was gone, the peace of the house finally returned. Li Hua leaned back on the sofa tiredly, looking at the empty room, and I could feel the indescribable sense of emptiness in her heart.
I walked over to her and sat down and gently held her hand. Li Hua's eyes were a little dazed, and her voice was weak, "Husband, is Dad looking at us?" Will he feel like we're not doing a good enough job? ”
"Wife, I believe that my father-in-law must be very relieved, because he has such an excellent daughter as you, and I am also very proud because I have a strong wife like you." My voice was choked, and even though the tiredness weighed on my eyelids, I forced myself to stay awake and spend the night with her.
Dawn was approaching, Li Hua leaned on my shoulder and finally fell asleep, while I still had my eyes open and my thoughts were distracted. Although I longed for a little sleep, responsibility and reality left me with no choice. Looking out the window at the gradually whitening sky, I knew in my heart that in this family, I had to be stronger, for the sake of my wife, and for the sake of my family.
Finally, after a long three days and three nights, the dust settled, and Wang Wei's departure made the wounds in our hearts repeatedly touched, but they also gradually healed in grief. In the midst of these tossing and turning, I have come to appreciate the weight of my responsibilities as a family member, especially as a husband.
Looking back on this experience, it is like sitting on a roller coaster, with ups and downs, and an indescribable sense of weightlessness. But it was this bump in my life that gave me a deeper understanding of family and family affection. I've come to realize that responsibility can sometimes be heavy, but it's also an indispensable bond in the family and a catalyst for an individual to grow into a mature man.
With the guests, I learned how to better take on the role of a man, stay strong, and make my lover feel supported and safe. I know that Li Hua needs not only a shoulder and a hug, but also a partner who can bear the ups and downs of life together.
In the past, we may quarrel over trivial matters and have different complaints about life, but now, Li Hua and I know how to cherish each other, how to love and be loved. Life gives us bitter fruits, but it also teaches us how to make sweetness.
I looked at Li Hua, who had regained some calm, and there seemed to be more firmness and strength in her eyes, and I knew that she, like me, had grown. Although Wang Wei is no longer there, I believe that his strength and love will forever be integrated into our lives.
Time is like a kind mother, healing our wounds and teaching us to look up at the stars after the storm. In the days to come, I will hold Li Hua's hand tightly, whether it is wind, frost, rain and snow, or the sun is shining, we will walk the road of life together.
I think this is life, suffering and happiness are always intertwined, no one can predict the future, but as long as we walk hand in hand, nothing is insurmountable. This farewell made me know how to cherish the people in front of me, cherish the years we have walked together, a light smile, a hug, are all proof of love.