The warm winter sun warmly sprinkled on the ice surface of Shichahai, glowing with golden light. The neat rows of red lanterns around the ice rink and the chic red appliques on the iron fence set off the place to be particularly festive and lively.
In Xicheng District, Beijing, there is a well-known volunteer service organization - "Xicheng Aunt". The "aunts" guard the safety of the jurisdiction and serve the tourists enthusiastically ......Liu Xiaoxia is the spokesperson of this organization, and her volunteer service point is in Shichahai. On January 28th, which coincided with Sunday, we followed her to experience a day of volunteer service for "Aunt Xicheng".
Recruits take up their posts
At 9 o'clock in the morning, Shichahai began to be lively. On the ice rink, skaters have begun to gallop and slide happily; In the gazebo, the uncles and aunts are intoxicated with the Beijing dialect songs; On the side of the road, the rickshaw master is ready to ......Shichahai is the most well-preserved historical district in Beijing, and there is an endless stream of Chinese and foreign tourists who come to check in all year round, and holidays are even more popular.
The south gate of the scenic spot is the largest, and the volunteer service booth is located here. "You're coming, come in and warm up. With neat short hair, Liu Xiaoxia greeted enthusiastically when she spoke. In Shichahai, Liu Xiaoxia is a well-known figure. She is 67 years old and has been active in volunteer service for more than ten years.
I was joined by several middle school students. At 9:30, everyone arrived one after another. Wearing the "volunteer blue", the volunteer recruits went to work in high spirits.
When standing, we must have a style, and when guiding the way, we must hold our palms upward, but we volunteers represent the image of Beijing, and we must not be sloppy ......"Liu Xiaoxia has no matter how big or small, and gave us pre-job training. She said that the post is guarded by 4 "Xicheng aunts" on duty in turn, 1 to 2 people a day, service time from 10 o'clock to 16 o'clock, service content includes road guidance, environmental cleaning, helping the elderly and the disabled, emergency rescue, etc.
"Teaching" with Liu Xiaoxia is also her American apprentice Gao Tianrui. This "foreigner" who is nearly seventy years old and has lived in China for 20 years speaks with a bit of a Beijing accent. In 2017, driven by Liu Xiaoxia, Gao Tianrui joined the "Xicheng Aunt" team. "A lot of Chinese tourists want me as a 'foreigner' to show them the way. Gao Tianrui said jokingly.
Liu Xiaoxia and her "foreign apprentice" Gao Tianrui.
Fun comes from it
At 10 o'clock, the number of tourists gradually increased. We were divided into two ways, guarding both sides of the gate, excited and nervous, and full of anticipation.
How do I get to the bathroom? ”
The entrance to the ice rink is at**?
Can I rent a stroller here? ”
The questions keep repeating and we don't get tired of it. The cold wind penetrated into the body along the collar and trouser legs, and it was all up to the tourists to "thank you" to drive away the cold.
The reporter brought hot water to tourists who asked for help.
Hurry on, someone here has fallen and injured ......”
A rapid sound came, and it turned out to be a middle-aged man who accidentally fell while skating, and a cut was made in his eyebrow. Several of our "apprentices" were at a loss, and the "veteran" Liu Xiaoxia was calm, stepped forward in time to appease, and quickly pointed out the most convenient way to the hospital.
There are so many unexpected situations, and we've dealt with the more serious ones. As soon as Liu Xiaoxia's words fell, a couple hurriedly walked over with a four or five-year-old child, "Is there a fine needle?" The child has a thorn in his finger. ”
As soon as I heard that I was capable of this work, I hurriedly found a sewing kit and helped the child pick out the thorns. Watching the frowning brow of the "little bit" gradually unfold, I felt happy from the bottom of my heart.
365 days of perseverance
In the afternoon, our work content is roughly the same, but we talk too much, we are tired from walking, our mouth is dry, our legs hurt, and the excitement of the morning is fading little by little.
At 16 o'clock, the day's volunteer service was finally over, and we were exhausted. I know very well that the day I experienced was the 365th day of the "Xicheng Aunts". I couldn't help but ask Liu Xiaoxia, "Are you tired?" Ever thought about giving up? ”
At my age, I must be tired, especially when there are a lot of people, and my throat is smoky at the end of the day. But dedicating to others, being happy with yourself, and being able to do something for the society is quite fulfilling and happy. Last year, Liu Xiaoxia's wife and children were seriously ill, and she had to take care of her wife and children while also serving on the job, "As long as the society needs me, I will continue to work until I can't do it anymore." ”
I asked her how she spent the Spring Festival this year, and Liu Xiaoxia smiled and said, "How can we have the Spring Festival." The more tourists, the busier we are, and the Spring Festival is spent in this sentry box, and it has been like this for so many years. ”
Reporters give tourists directions.
RememberPersonhandsRemember
Liu Xiaoxia is a representative of hundreds of thousands of "Xicheng aunts" and thousands of elderly volunteers. These silver-haired volunteers, who give full play to their surplus energy and make a difference in their old age, are practitioners of active aging; To set an example and educate future generations is the inheritor of the revolutionary spirit; Dedication to society, without asking for returns, is the transmitter of positive energy. They are a banner and a lighthouse, worthy of our admiration and even more worthy of our learning!
China Senior Daily.