Every festive season, the scene of family reunion is always emotional. For me, the gatherings of my mother's and mother-in-law's families are always full of excitement and anticipation. However, my husband jokingly called me a "bad boy" because I always like to be busy with various arrangements.
After I got married, I spent the Chinese New Year at my in-law's house every year, which made me dissatisfied when I was young, why can't I take turns to spend the New Year in two houses? However, Mr. is a northeastern man, and he attaches great importance to the territory between the families, so the status of the in-laws cannot be shaken.
However, in our more than 20 years of marriage, there was only one year when we took our parents to our home for the New Year. That year, we moved into a new big house, and we bought the largest dining table for the occasion, ready to entertain friends and family.
During the Chinese New Year, we carried out the reform of the Chinese New Year's Eve dinner with great anticipation, prepared 18 dishes, catering to everyone's tastes, and the atmosphere was warm. We were so happy with our success that we privately discussed bringing our parents to our home every year.
In particular, the dumpling making link is even more enjoyable, my husband and I accompanied my parents-in-law to play mahjong, my mother took the initiative to make a face, and my father helped to help. After playing mahjong at 8 o'clock in the evening, everyone laughed and enjoyed the joy of family.
Considering the age of the parents, we arranged their rest time in advance so that they could go to bed early. However, they unexpectedly said they wanted to go home, which was much to our surprise.
My father-in-law bluntly said that he didn't want to stay, which made us feel a little helpless. Despite our persuasion, they insisted on going home, and in the end, we had to send them back in the middle of the night.
The next day, my mother sighed and said, "Don't let me go to your house for the New Year in the future, although it's good, it's really inconvenient." I walked back last night and my feet were frozen. I was speechless, and I felt a little aggrieved.
When my mother complained, I couldn't help but complain about my husband. This incident made me realize that although I usually have a good relationship, I feel quite uncomfortable and tired when old people with different living habits and ways of thinking are forced to live together.
Therefore, since then, we have not asked our parents to come over for the Chinese New Year.
When I got back to my parents' house, my mom said, "Son, you're starting to get tired, Dad, I feel like I can't do anything this year." Her tone was apologetic, and I felt a little uneasy. After returning home, my husband and I discussed the arrangements for this year's Chinese New Year's Eve dinner.
I decided to personally go to my mother's house to help cook the Chinese New Year's Eve dinner and accompany them, no matter how late it was. And the gentleman hinted that he would wait for me to go back to dinner, no matter how late it was.
This made me feel a little dissatisfied, and I began to reflect on our marriage. Perhaps we have all made the wrong choice.
Ten days in advance, I formulated a recipe for the Chinese New Year's Eve dinner of my mother's family and my mother-in-law's family, and instructed my husband to buy ingredients according to my requirements and not to change them without authorization. Each dish has a symbolic meaning, and I want to express my heart through it.
In the recipes, dishes about health, school, career, wealth, marriage and family have far-reaching meanings. I believe that through these dishes, good luck and happiness can be brought to the whole family.
However, when I saw my parents' physical condition deteriorating, I began to understand that they also craved love and care. Although they have done a lot for us in the past, now they also need our company and care.
The aging of my parents made me realize that family is far more important than I could have imagined. I hope that parents all over the world will be healthy and live a long life, so that each of our children can fulfill their filial piety and leave no regrets.