Liu Peng, a young father in his thirties, had a hint of bitterness in his smile. His three-year-old son accidentally forgot about him when he introduced his family to his kindergarten teacher, which filled his heart with mixed emotions. He knew that he had sacrificed too much time with his family for the sake of the country's security and peace on the border.
Liu Peng, a native of Chongqing, was 19 years old when he resolutely enlisted in the army and became a border armed policeman with loyalty to the motherland and yearning for the cause of border defense. He began his career in a remote border town like Tianpeng Town, Funing County, Wenshan Prefecture, Yunnan Province, and he held it for 11 years. During these long years, he and his comrades-in-arms squatted in the mountains and jungles, often guarding for days in order to crack down on border smuggling and cross-border crimes.
In 2019, Liu Peng could have chosen to leave the army and return home to reunite with his family, but he chose to switch to the immigration management police and continue to stick to the border he is familiar with. He said: "After many years of guarding the border here, I feel that my value lies in guarding the border and standing a good post for the motherland. ”
Also in 2019, Liu Peng and his wife got married. Due to their busy schedules, they didn't get their wedding photos until two years later. In 2020, they ushered in the crystallization of their love, but Liu Peng missed the moment when his son was born. As soon as the child was full moon, he packed his bags and returned to the station. "Every time I go back from vacation, my kids have to 'adjust' to me again," he said. ”
However, in the same year that his son was born, Liu Peng was diagnosed with cancer in both lungs. The news made his wife hold him and cry for a long, long time. He underwent surgery to remove four tumors from both lungs at once. After the operation, his body was not as good as before, but he did not give up, but insisted on exercising, running from 100 meters to 500 meters, and dumbbells from 3 kg to 60 kg. A year later, he was back to running 3 kilometers in one breath and passed all of his unit's physical fitness tests.
Liu Peng said that cancer did not break him, but made him more resilient. After being reborn in Nirvana, he cherished his family more and cherished the mission on his shoulders even more. He hopes that when his son grows up, he will proudly tell his teachers and classmates: "My father used to be a soldier, but now he is a people's policeman, and he guards the borders of the motherland." ”
Liu Peng said that there are 365 days a year, and the days of reunion are no more than 60 days, and there are more than 300 days to suffer from lovesickness. Gathering less with family and leaving more is the norm for border people. As a father, Liu Peng didn't want to miss every stage of his child, but as a border policeman, he had to make a choice. Defending the border is a choice, and it is also a responsibility.
Liu Peng's story is a story of sacrifice and tenacity, a story of love and responsibility. His persistence and courage make us deeply feel the greatness of an ordinary person. He is an ordinary father and an extraordinary guardian. His story is worth remembering and learning from each and every one of us.