I'm 65-year-old Aunt Xie. My husband has passed away, and my children have rarely come back to see me since they got married. I live alone in this small old house, living simple and repetitive days.
My main problem is laziness, especially hating the tedious shower and laundry. I remember when my husband was still alive, he used to say to me, "Wife, you have to pay more attention to hygiene, don't wear dirty clothes all day." "I just waved my hand and went on with my needlework. At that time, I was young and vigorous, and I didn't think it mattered.
After my husband died, I lived alone and was even more indifferent to these. I remember the last time I took a shower half a year ago. I don't know how long the clothes I wear every day haven't been washed, they are dirty and smelly. However, when I was alone, no one cared, so I lived a lazy life.
Several of my children are married. My eldest son was in business in the city and rarely came back to see me. My eldest daughter-in-law often complained about me, saying that I was dirty and messy, and I didn't look like a normal old man. But I don't care, after all, their family doesn't lack my mother.
My second son works in the county and occasionally comes back to see me with his wife and children. But every time I come, I just stay for a while and leave, and I don't help with housework. I heard them say that the smell on my body was too strong, and it was better to come closer.
My daughter got married and went out of town and never came back to see me. I heard that her husband didn't like me, so he wouldn't bring her back. My sons and daughters don't want me anymore, and I can't do anything about it.
Once, a neighbor came to care for me, and I said that I was used to it alone and didn't need help. She also tried to persuade me, and I just kicked her out, thinking that I could decide my life by myself and didn't need others to dictate me.
Then, my physical condition deteriorated and I was often dizzy. I know that this is because I have not taken a bath for a long time and my lifestyle habits are too poor. But once a habit is formed, it's hard to change.
Eventually, one day, I was so dizzy that I fell to the ground unconscious. When I woke up, I was already in the hospital. It turned out that it was a neighbor who found out that I had not gone out all this time, thought it was strange, came in and saw me lying on the ground, and quickly called an ambulance.
After the doctor's examination, I was told that due to the long-term lack of hygiene, I had many problems with my body and needed to be hospitalized**. I was in a bad mood and felt ashamed. I asked the doctor to call my sons to pick me up.
The eldest son soon arrived. I was very happy when I saw him, but when he saw me, he frowned: "Mom, the smell on your body is too strong, and we don't have any empty rooms at home, so I really can't take you back." Just stay in the hospital for a few more days and I'll pay for you. With that, he hurried away.
My heart was like a knife, and it turned out that in my son's heart, I had become a burden. Tears welled up in my eyes, and I realized that in their hearts, I had become a dispensable being.
Later, my children found out about my hospitalization, but none of them were willing to take me home. I was in a gloomy mood and felt that they were too unfilial to me. After all, I gave birth to them, and now I need them to take care of them, and they have shirked everything.
Just when I was feeling hopeless, volunteers from the community came to visit me. When they learned about my predicament, they offered to take care of me so that I could move to their home after I was discharged from the hospital.
I was very moved when I heard this, I didn't expect such kind-hearted people to exist in society. Still, I was hesitant because I really didn't want to leave the house I had lived in for decades.
The volunteer patiently persuaded me: "Auntie, we understand your children's situation, but it is really too hard for you to live alone. Come to our welfare home and someone will bathe and wash your clothes regularly to improve your quality of life. Think about it, we'll be visiting you often. ”
I was deeply moved by this, maybe this was a turning point in my life. Eventually, I nodded and agreed to move to a welfare home after I was discharged.
Soon after, my physical condition gradually improved and I was able to be discharged from the hospital. Volunteer Xiao Xie personally drove to the hospital to pick me up and helped me bring a few necessities out of the old house. I got in the car and looked at the old house that was fading away, and I couldn't help but feel emotional.
Xiao Xie comforted me and said, "Auntie, don't worry, this is only temporary. You have taken care of your body, you have a regular life, and you can come back to live on your own. ”
I nodded, wiping away tears. After getting into the car, I noticed that Xiao Xie was spotless and the interior of the car was unusually tidy. In contrast, I inevitably had some smell on my own body, and I felt embarrassed to sit too close.
After arriving at the orphanage, Xiao Xie helped me settle in and introduced me to the other residents. When everyone saw me coming, they all greeted me warmly. The environment in the yard was clean and comfortable, and this new environment made me a little uncomfortable.
Next, I started a new life in a welfare home. Every day, someone will deliver meals on time, and will regularly bathe and wash my clothes, and take care of my daily life. My children would occasionally come to visit me, but most of the time they were just talking about it and didn't really help me in my life.
One day, Xiao Xie came to visit me again. She sat down to chat with me and cared about my life. Then she said, "Auntie, can I talk to you about your relationship with your children?"You think they are unfilial, but as children, they also have their own difficulties. Can we talk about it and get them to come and see you more?”
I was silent for a while, and I did feel a little bit after listening to it. Maybe I've been complaining about my children's unfilial piety before, but as a mother, I also have a responsibility to understand them. Maybe I should change my attitude.
Under Xiao Xie's persuasion, I called my eldest son ** and took the initiative to chat with him about his recent life. He was also very happy on the other end. After that, my children seemed to visit me a little more often.
During my days in the orphanage, my body and mind got **. I no longer pay too much attention to whether my children are filial piety, and with a regular life and the care and support of the people around me, I have become more broad-minded. I began to learn to be grateful, to thank all the people who cared about me.
Life is like this, only through wind and rain can you see the rainbow. I realized that there were still many beautiful possibilities in my life.
After living in the orphanage for a while, I gradually developed a deep relationship with the people here. One day at noon, a few of us residents got together for lunch and talked about life. Aunt Wang said with emotion: "Alas, we old people can only take care of each other now, and our children are too busy to take care of us old people." I nodded silently: "I used to feel the same way before, thinking that my children were not filial. But now I understand that they also have their own difficulties, and we should learn to understand and tolerate them. "Yes," Uncle Zhou continued, "we have all lived most of our lives, and we should learn to face our old age happily." With the place of the welfare home, you don't have to worry about food and clothing, and you have a partner to accompany you, and life is actually quite good. ”
I smiled and said, "Before I came here, I always thought that my children would abandon me, but now that I think about it, I actually have limited ability to live on my own. Here, on the contrary, my quality of life has improved, and I am no longer in a position to blame others. Aunt Wang nodded approvingly: "Auntie is right, we must learn to be grateful and cherish everything we have in front of us." ”
That conversation opened my eyes to another possibility in life. I should not complain about my children's neglect, but I should learn to be self-reliant and tolerant of others' difficulties. As Xiao Xie said, a relationship requires both parties to work together.
With Xiao Xie's encouragement, I actively participated in various activities organized by the welfare home, such as singing and dancing, which made my life more colorful. I've also become concerned about other residents and no longer confined to my own little world.
One day, Xiao Xie came to see me again, and she smiled and said, "Auntie, I found that you have been in much better spirits recently, and you are much more optimistic and cheerful than when you first came." Do you think life has been different during this time?I nodded and said, "I feel like I've found meaning in life." In the past, I only knew how to complain, but now I have to learn to be grateful, seize the present, and live in the moment. I no longer pin my value on the filial piety of my children, but to enrich my own life and learn to tolerate others. Xiao Xie patted my hand happily: "Great, aunt, I'm glad you found the motivation to live a positive life." This is the most important attitude towards life. Not only do you change yourself, but you also infect the people around you, and that's the true meaning of life. ”
I looked at her gratefully and nodded. I know that there are many more wonderful possibilities in my life. As time flies, I've been spending more than a year in the orphanage. During this time, my life has changed dramatically.
I'm no longer the dirty, messy, complaining old lady about everything. I've learned to be grateful, helpful, and build deep relationships with everyone. I regained my passion for life, actively participated in various activities, and got a good workout both physically and mentally.
My physical condition is also much better. Regular meals and regular baths have made my overall condition better. I no longer feel that bathing is a hassle, on the contrary, I have become accustomed to and enjoy the refreshing feeling.
My relationship with my children is improving. They often come to visit me and care about my life. I no longer complain that they are not filial enough, but I am grateful that they took the time to visit me. I also began to care about their work and life. This kind of communication makes our relationship more harmonious.
Today, the welfare institute organized us to go to the suburbs. I boarded the tour bus with all of you with great interest. When the car drove out of the city, we enjoyed the beautiful scenery of the suburbs, and everyone was elated.
At noon, we had a picnic by a small river in the mountains. I sat with a few old friends and laughed and laughed. Aunt Wang opened the lunch box and said to me, "Auntie, come, try the egg cake I made with my own hands to see if it tastes good." I smiled and tasted it, and exclaimed, "Oh, it's so fragrant, Auntie's craftsmanship is really top-notch." A few of us old ladies were together, and we also felt very lively. ”
Uncle Zhou also came over and said, "Yes, everyone is the most lively when they get together." We old bones can still go out for a walk and enjoy the scenery, which is really a waste of old age!I nodded in agreement: "I used to hide at home all day, but now I am out and about, and my mood is completely different." We should participate in more activities and enjoy life. ”
Auntie is right!Aunt Wang smiled and said, "Hurry up and eat, after eating, let's go for a walk in the mountains and enjoy the scenery!"On this day, I felt extremely happy and satisfied. I really want to thank the orphanage for giving me another home and allowing me to rediscover the meaning of life.
When I returned to the welfare home in the evening, Xiao Xie came to see me and said with a smile, "Auntie, are you having fun today?"You look radiant!That's the recipe for success. You have managed to change yourself and infect the people around you, which is the greatest success!I nodded, feeling the same way. Indeed, success does not lie in the pursuit of external material comforts, but in finding inner fulfillment and peace. I finally understood this, and it was more precious than anything else.
Uncle Zhou said: "We can make some small gifts by ourselves, I can knit some sweaters and socks for them." Aunt Wang said, "I'll make some delicious snacks, and it will be very meaningful for everyone to prepare them together." Finally, on a sunny Saturday morning, our thank-you event took place as scheduled. We happily presented Xiao Xie and every staff member with gifts and delicacies that we had made ourselves, and also performed our rehearsed program. The scene was full of emotion and joy.
Xiao Xie was flattered, she said, "Auntie, I'm so surprised!."I will always treasure your thoughts. In fact, we are just doing our job, and it is you who have chosen to face life positively, and this is the most precious change. I was moved to hold Xiao Xie's hand and said, "Xiao Xie, I want to thank you for pulling me in the first place and letting me find hope in life again." I will always remember the help you and the orphanage have given me over the past year or so. I will continue to maintain a positive and optimistic attitude and enjoy every day of life!Xiao Xie nodded, and tears flashed in his eyes: "Go Auntie, enjoy your life, it still has a lot of beautiful possibilities!."”