I just turned 50 this year. Coming from the countryside, my parents are hard-working and simple farmers. There is an older brother and a younger sister in the family, the younger sister is married, and the elder brother has made a home in the city.
At the age of 22, I graduated from a technical school and embarked on the road to work in the city. In the city life, I met my current husband. He was a native of the city, to working-class parents, and a full five years older than me. We tied the knot after three years of love.
In the second year of marriage, we welcomed our lovely daughter. After my daughter was born, my mother-in-law began to urge me to have a second child. However, when my daughter was three years old, I unexpectedly became pregnant. At that time, the family planning policy was strict, and I had to continue to work, so I had to go to the hospital for an abortion.
Subsequently, the country liberalized the two-child policy, but I could no longer conceive. My in-laws complained about me because of this, and I was also stressed. Watching my daughter grow up**, I am also about to retire.
The years of 50 years always pass in a hurry. Just as I was about to retire, my daughter was successfully admitted to university. And this year, it was also my official farewell to my job.
After I retired, my husband offered to take me out to relax. He has a busy schedule and rarely has the opportunity to be by my side. However, I prefer to stay at home. After all, it's been years since I've spent a full summer vacation at home. I want to make something nice for my daughter and sew a few new clothes for her. Although my husband was a little helpless, he finally chose to spend time at home with me.
My wife has been idle at home for more than a week, and now she is back to work. The house suddenly seemed empty, and I really didn't like to be alone. Even though I'm retired, it's not a good idea to stay with my daughter all day, it's too clingy, isn't it?
One night, my daughter called me and said that she was homesick and wanted to come back for a while. I suddenly felt a warmth in my heart, and hurriedly comforted her and said, "Child, you just have to study at ease, home will always be your harbor." ”
On the night my daughter came home, my wife went to the market to buy some vegetables and cooked a few of her favorite dishes for her daughter. My wife's cooking skills are really good, and our family of three is sitting around the dining table, and the warm atmosphere is overflowing.
However, the warmth did not last long. After spending more than a week at home, her daughter began to clamoring to go back to school, saying she missed her classmates and teachers. I also understand that my daughter has grown up and needs her own space and independence. But I just don't understand: why does life become so empty and boring in middle age?
When my daughter returned to school, the family was deserted again. My wife goes out early and returns late every day, and I am alone at home with nothing to do. I want to find something to pass the time, but at this age, what can I do? Going to the supermarket as a cashier? Going to work in a restaurant? It's not realistic!
One night, I waited a long time for my husband to come home. When he returned late, he came up with an idea: "Honey, let's consider staying with our daughter for a while, near her school." This way we can be closer to her. "I thought it made sense, maybe a change of environment would make life more interesting. So I readily agreed.
Early the next morning, we packed our bags and set out on our way to our daughter's college town. During the trip, we experienced the combination of high-speed rail and automobiles, and finally came to the vicinity of my daughter's campus. The place is full of youthful energy and an academic atmosphere. After settling in, we began a new life of "accompanying students".
In the beginning, I felt new and interesting about this life. I spend time with my daughter every day, attending classes, eating, shopping, watching movies, etc. However, as time went on, I gradually felt unwell: we seemed to become "accessories" in my daughter's life! Aside from revolving around our daughter, we have little life of our own!
This life makes me feel meaningless! I'm starting to miss my old job and life. Although it was hard at that time, it was fulfilling! And now? Except for the basic chores of life, we seem to have no goal every day!
I started complaining to my husband, "What the hell are we doing this? We gave up too much for the sake of our daughter! However, my husband thought, "You are a typical discontented person!" Isn't our life pretty good right now? ”
Despite what my husband said, I know in my heart: people of our age should no longer be entangled in the so-called "blessing" and "unhappiness"! What we can do is to cherish the moment and live each day well!