Introduction: I always thought that as a father, I should support my family unconditionally, even at the expense of my own happiness and dreams. But now I realize that everyone deserves to have their own life, even the average me.
My name is Li Qiang, I am 60 years old this year, and I have just retired from a regular middle school. My life has always been uneventful, my daily job is to teach and educate people, and in the evenings I go home to spend time with my housewife's wife and daughter. Our daughter Li Fang is our pride, she married a young man in the city, Zhang Wei, after graduating from a university in the city. Zhang Wei's family is in good condition, but they always have some disdain for families in small towns like ours.
Dad, what are your plans for retirement?"My daughter asked me one day.
I want to travel and take a walk. I replied with a smile.
Then can you help us take care of Xiaobao first?We've been too busy lately. The daughter had anticipation in her eyes.
I nodded, feeling a little helpless, but I didn't say much. After all, my family needs me, and I can't say no.
On the first day of retirement, I went to my daughter's house. She and Zhang Wei live in a new house in the center of the city, which is in a good environment, but I know that they have taken a lot of loans for this house.
Dad, can you help us get some of the mortgage?"My daughter asked me cautiously one day.
I was shocked, but looking at my daughter's expectant eyes, I agreed. After all, I have a pension of 5,000 yuan a month, which can still support it.
Thank you, Dad. The daughter said gratefully.
But what I didn't expect was that Zhang Wei was not satisfied with this. He always felt that I, as a father, could not give my daughter a better life.
You from small towns know how to drag us down. Zhang Wei once said coldly at the dinner table.
I felt very uncomfortable when I heard it, but for the sake of my daughter, I put up with it.
Life goes by like this, I help take care of my grandson Xiaobao every day, and occasionally I have to help my daughter with housework. The retirement life I had in mind seemed to be getting farther and farther away.
Dad, you really don't have to work so hard. The daughter sometimes said distressedly.
It's okay, I can do it. That's how I always answer.
But in my heart, I am actually a little lost. I would have liked to travel and enjoy my life after I retired. But now, I feel like I'm back at work, and I revolve around my family every day.
One day, I received a **, an old colleague of mine for many years.
Li Qiang, I heard that you are retired, do you have time to come out and get together?He said enthusiastically.
I looked at the housework in front of me, and thought of my daughter and grandson, and my heart was mixed.
When I have time, I may not be able to do it recently. I replied a little helplessly.
Hung up**, I felt an inexplicable loneliness. My life doesn't seem to belong to me at all.
The day after I retired, an accident happened. That morning, my daughter called ** and said eagerly that Xiaobao had a fever and asked me to help. I hurried to her house, but I was involved in a traffic accident on the way. I was taken to the hospital, but I didn't make it through.
By the time my daughter and Zhang Wei rushed to the hospital, I had already passed away. The daughter burst into tears, but Zhang Wei's face was angry.
It's all your dad's fault, if he wasn't so irresponsible, this wouldn't have happened!Zhang Wei roared at my lifeless body.
When the daughter heard this, she cried even more. She knew that I was just trying to help them as best I could.
This is the end of my story. I wanted to enjoy my retirement life, but I didn't expect to leave so suddenly. The day I left, the sky was exceptionally clear, but my heart was full of regrets.
I hope my daughter understands my love and that she can find her own happiness. As for Zhang Wei, I hope he can learn to respect and understand.
My story may be ordinary, but it is the truest portrayal of my life. I hope that through my story, more people will realize how important the balance between family and personal is. After all, life is short, and we should all cherish and enjoy every moment.