Zhao Zonghe read at home.
Zhao Zong and the old man ate longevity noodles. (Courtesy of the community)
At the 100th birthday party, Zhao Zong took a group photo with the old man and relatives and friends. (Courtesy of the community)
Zhao Zonghe and his daughters.
As the saying goes, there is an old treasure in the family! Not long ago, Zhao Zong and the elderly who lived in the Xinghe Road community of Jiulidi Street in Jinniu District had just celebrated their 100th birthday, and the birthday party was held in the community, and more than 600 people came to celebrate their birthday. The old man is now in the same house for four generations, his children and grandchildren live in harmony, they are filial and considerate to him, and their lives are happy and happy in their old age.
On the afternoon of July 17, the reporter came to Zhao Zong and the old man's home, and the second and third daughters were chatting with him in the room. "He is very open-minded and likes to help others, and whoever has difficulties, he is always eager to help." Family and everything are passed down from generation to generation, filial piety from generation to generation, which is a fine tradition they inherit from their fathers. The third daughter, Zhao Zuqin, felt that a heart of fraternity, coupled with family harmony, may be the secret of her father's longevity.
600 people celebrate their birthday
The 100th birthday party is organized in the community
Zhao Zonghe was born in 1919, as a representative of the longevity elderly in the Xinghe Road community, on April 25 this year, Zhao Zhonghe celebrated his 100th birthday with his children, grandchildren, relatives and friends, and neighbors. "For the centenary birthday banquet, with the support of the community, we held nearly 60 tables of banquets, and many people from community leaders and neighbors came to the scene, and it was lively!" Recalling the pomp and circumstance on the day of the birthday party, Zhao Zuqin was still excited. The old man has a large family of four generations, two sons and three daughters under his knees, counting the juniors, a total of 36 people.
During the preparation of the centenarian birthday party for the elderly, the children discussed for a long time because of the choice of venue. Some said that in the farmhouse, some said in the hotel, after consultation, the community just has the right area to hold a banquet, and Zhao Zonghe has a good relationship with the neighbors, and the birthday party was finally finalized to be held in the community. After many old neighbors learned of this, they took the initiative to find Zhao Zonghe's daughter and said that they wanted to participate in the old man's centenary party. The day before his birthday, the community staff also personally delivered the longevity plaque to Zhao Zonghe's home, wishing him a happy life and a longer life than Nanshan.
On the birthday, the scene was even more lively, with more than 600 participants. Such scenes are very rare in the community. Therefore, the pictures and videos of the birthday celebration have been forwarded by many residents to "dip the joy" and attract envy. At the birthday banquet, Zhao Zonghe, a birthday star dressed in traditional red, was in a very good spirit, he sat in a chair, greeted everyone he knew, and happily took photos and chatted with everyone.
It is worth mentioning that all the descendants of Zhao Zhonghe have prepared wonderful programs: five brothers and sisters each brought a song, and some of the grandchildren offered flowers and some peaches to celebrate their birthdays..." Never thought that there could be this day before, thanks to the country, let our people's days get better and better; also thank the community for their strong support, so that my father spent an unforgettable 100th birthday party." Zhao Zuqin said.
Reminiscing about the hard times
Hard work to feed a family
Walking into Zhao Zonghe's home, the old man was sitting on the sofa reading a book with reading glasses, and there was a walking crutch next to him. "When I was about four or five years old, I accidentally broke my knee, but I didn't dare to tell my family, and then I was crushed and my left leg was destroyed, and I could no longer walk normally." Crutches have been pestles for more than 90 years! The weather-beaten centenarian seemed to look at his own pain very indifferently, and quipped: "Because I can't walk, I rely on my father to eat a lifetime of idle food, and it is my father who holds up a piece of the sky." ”
Behind the joke, it's not. "My father not only earned his share in the production team's noodle stirring room, but also supported a large family on a tricycle pedal. And the mother grinds more than ten kilograms of rice into rice noodles, mixes with cowhide dishes to make rice paste, carefully takes care of our three meals a day, and the 5 brothers and sisters look at the stove every time..." According to Zhao Zuqin, their family is a native of "Jiuli Village", who once lived a hard life, his father Zhao Zhonghe shouldered the burden of life, and his mother was responsible for taking care of their living. "The right foot pedal, the left foot is fixed with the rubber band, just a light flick, it is the turn of the right foot, and the tricycle can be pedaled away with one foot, which is also the experience I have explored for so many years with the pestle and crutch." Zhao Zonghe said with a smile.
Enthusiastic about public affairs
Elected president of the old association to serve everyone
Because he has always been enthusiastic about village affairs and helpful, in 1987, Zhao Zonghe was elected by the masses to become the president of the Jiuli Village Elderly Association, "I am a native of the locals, I know more about this place, and there is a neighbor who needs help at that time, our family is very willing to help, so my relationship with the masses is better." Since he was trusted by everyone, Zhao Zonghe was determined to serve the masses well.
In 1988, he organized crowdfunding among the members of the Association for the Elderly, "After the mobilization meeting, everyone was willing to donate money, and I was elected by everyone as the president, and they believed in me." Under the call of Zhao Zonghe, more than 380 elderly people actively participated, raising a total of more than 400,000 yuan. With this crowdfunding fund, the Association for the Elderly built public service facilities such as libraries, medical rooms, and activity rooms for everyone.
During his tenure as president, Zhao Zonghe also led the members of the Elderly Association to contribute to supporting the construction of the city. In 2001, after 14 years as president, Zhao Zonghe stepped down and lived a leisurely and fulfilling retirement life. In addition to his ears are a little difficult, his sanity is very clear, and his habit of reading newspapers and reading books allows him to spend every day in a happy life. Radiant, he couldn't see that he was already a hundred years old.
Families support each other
Family harmony inherits good family style
Zhao Zonghe has endured hardships and stand hard work all his life, and his spirit of hard work has influenced future generations, and the younger generations can bear hardships and struggle. Zhao Zuqin said: "My father taught us to be human beings first of all, to have character, not to take our own interests too seriously, to have a collective concept, a neighbor concept, no matter what we do, we must not be too selfish." We are accustomed to suffering, and the younger generations are all hard-working people, all diligent. ”
For the father's hard work, the children are in the eyes and full of gratitude, "no matter how difficult the conditions, the father is the best to support the family, pull us to grow up, and train us to become adults." Talking about the past, the old man's eyes were full of tears, and his voice began to tremble: "I am sorry for my children, they have suffered a lot with me, and I am very grateful for their understanding and support." "Harmony between our family and sisterhood is the best." The two daughters also shed tears several times.
Mutual respect, mutual understanding, and mutual gratitude, the members of this big family live in harmony, support each other, and grow together in such a family atmosphere. Under the influence of Zhao Zonghe, the children are also very industrious and pragmatic. To be kind and to treat others kindly, is the attitude he has always adhered to, under his teaching, filial piety and grandchildren, family unity and harmony. Every New Year's Festival, the whole family will get together and spend time with him. Looking at the lively scene of the four generations in the same hall, Zhao Zonghe was always happy to keep his mouth shut. The children of the second daughter, Zhao Zuqing, are all in business, and the son-in-law opened a small supermarket and donated many food and daily necessities to the disaster area during the "512 earthquake" to provide help to the people in the disaster area.
"Later, although Grandpa Zhao did not manage community affairs, he still helped us a lot in the construction of our jurisdiction." Community workers also often visit him and send greetings and blessings, hoping that Grandpa Zhao can always be happy and healthy. Yu Dan, secretary of the Galaxy Road community, said.
West China Community Daily reporter Hu Huiyuan intern Liang Keren Hu Yaqian photo report
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