Retired old man Zhang Haibo receives his pension of 3,500 yuan from social security every month, although it is not much, but it is enough for his small life. He is old and his steps are getting heavier, and he lives alone in a two-bedroom apartment on the outskirts of the city, in a quiet environment, but because of the remote transportation, the number of visits from his children is not as good as a year.
One day, her daughter Zhang Xiaoxiao proposed to her father on the phone: "Dad, I still think you're a little lonely there, do you want to consider moving to a nursing home?" Zhang Haibo was silent on the other end of the phone for a while, recalling the embarrassment of accidentally falling from a chair a few days ago, and his heart was a little shaken.
"How could I be used to living in a nursing home?" the old man's first reaction was to refuse, but he seemed to realize that he really needed more care.
"Dad, the nursing home is different now, with complete facilities and medical staff on duty 24 hours a day. Zhang Xiaoxiao paused, and then said, "I looked at one on the Internet, the environment is very good, four-star service, you will like it." ”
"Really?" Zhang Haibo began to be tempted, "That place is not far from you?"
"It's not far, just half an hour by car. If you stay in, we'll be able to come and see you on weekends. ”
Under his daughter's soft grinding and hard soaking, Zhang Haibo finally agreed. And after learning that the cost of the nursing home is expensive, the old man thought of the 1.2 million savings accumulated in those years, which was originally saved just in case, and now it seems that it is worth the money in the nursing home.
So, accompanied by his son Zhang Xiaogang, Lao Zhang began a journey to look for a nursing home. They visited several and finally chose the one Zhang Xiaoxiao mentioned. Stepping into the nursing home for the first time, Zhang Haibo was attracted by the environment, the neat paths, the flowery courtyard, and the warm reception.
"Dad, here you don't have to worry about the trivial things in life, someone will help you clean, you can chat with other old people, and occasionally organize some activities. Zhang Xiaogang persuaded on the side, "What do you think?"
Zhang Haibo was still a little hesitant, "How can I spend so much money alone? Hey, you children will also need money in the future." ”
"Dad, don't worry, it's what we should do for your old man to enjoy his old age. Zhang Xiaoxiao also persuaded on the other end of the phone, "Your deposit is for your own use, don't worry about us." ”
After signing the contract and making all the arrangements, Zhang Haibo handed over his life to others for the first time in his life, and he was both apprehensive and expectant.
The days passed day by day in the new environment, at first, Zhang Haibo felt that everything was quite fresh, and there were many people in the courtyard, but gradually, he began to find that it was not as beautiful as he imagined.
Time flies like a white horse, and half a year slips away inadvertently. Zhang Haibo's life in the nursing home gradually took off its fresh aura, and practical problems began to emerge one by one. What he covets the most is the invisible hidden consumption of nursing homes: this month is a special massage service, that month is a nutritional meal upgrade, and without much effort, the deposit number snowballs downward.
"This month's fee has increased again? I remember paying it last time. Zhang Haibo took the bill and found the person in charge of the nursing home.
"Uncle Zhang, the last time you added was a catering service, and this month is a health check-up, which is different. The nursing home staff smiled and spoke in a tone that was unmistakable.
Zhang Haibo was puzzled, but felt a little powerless to refute, so he had to sigh.
As time went on, he also came to feel the obscurity of interpersonal relationships in the nursing home. He had arguments with several elderly people over trivial matters such as the choice of watching TV programs and the temperature in the room, and although these skirmishes were not humane, they accumulated in his heart.
"Why do you always want to watch this morning exercise show, I want to watch the news. Once, Zhang Haibo complained dissatisfiedly to the old man who was sitting around the TV.
"Uncle Zhang, we have such a little fun every day, you can watch the news another day. An old man replied impatiently.
Such a small episode, after superimposing the thoughts of his family, made him feel lonely and helpless. Especially when he thought of the empty dining table at home, Zhang Haibo felt even more sour.
One day, in the middle of the night, he was woken up by a rapid cough, only to see his roommate Lao Liu holding his chest and gasping. Zhang Haibo nervously rang the pager.
"Alas, Lao Zhang, it's really disturbing. Lao Liu said in between coughs.
"It's okay, Lao Liu, this health is the most important, we have to take care of each other. Zhang Haibo patted Lao Liu's back, but the warmth of home was faintly in his heart.
After the medical staff arrived, Zhang Haibo couldn't sleep anymore, his mind was full of pictures and memories of home, and the moonlight outside the window seemed to remind him of his yearning for a free life.
The next day, he told his children who were working far away from home, and his daughter Zhang Xiaoxiao on the other end of the phone was anxious: "Dad, if you think it's not suitable, let's think about it, or should I find another nursing home?"
"Hey, Xiaoxiao, I feel that these places are still not suitable for me. Zhang Haibo said helplessly, but he was calculating in his heart how much savings he had left.
"Dad, don't worry, I'll discuss it with Xiaogang, and I'll find a good way for you. Zhang Xiaoxiao's voice revealed firmness.
After hanging up the phone, Zhang Haibo looked at the old Wutong in the courtyard outside the window, and a thought gradually sprouted in his heart. It's not the way to go on like this, and maybe it's time to go home.
After some careful consideration, Zhang Haibo finally expressed his thoughts and concerns to his children. That night, Zhang Xiaoxiao and Zhang Xiaogang held a video family meeting to discuss their father's problems.
"Xiaoxiao, I have seen the cost-effective nursing home you mentioned, and it is really good. Zhang Xiaogang spoke first, "But I'm wondering, should I let my dad come back to live with us for a while?"
"Xiaogang, I think so too, but I'm afraid that Dad will think that he is causing us trouble. Zhang Xiaoxiao's voice was full of worry.
"Then let's talk to Dad and let him know that we really want him to come home. Zhang Xiaogang said.
Zhang Haibo listened to the discussion of the two children, and a trace of emotion flashed in his eyes: "Children, I know you have good intentions, but I ......"
"Dad, don't think too much, we didn't do it. Zhang Xiaoxiao interrupted her father, "You have been wronged during this time, it would be nice if we could be together often." ”
"Xiaoxiao is right, Dad, come here, we can eat and chat together every day, how nice!" Zhang Xiaogang agreed.
Zhang Haibo's heart was shaken, he also longed for the warmth of home, but he still hesitated: "What about my daily life...... You're so busy at work. ”
"Dad, don't worry. Zhang Xiaoxiao hurriedly said, "I can apply for flexible work, send Niuniu to school in the morning, then work, and come back in the afternoon." ”
"I can also adjust the time, and I'll be with you all day on weekends. Zhang Xiaogang added.
The father's concerns were alleviated one by one, and in the moonlight of the night, this swaying family meeting was warm and sincere. Zhang Haibo finally showed a relieved smile: "Okay, then that's it, let Dad go home." ”
After the meeting, the anxiety on Zhang Xiaoxiao and Zhang Xiaogang's faces gradually dissipated, replaced by the excitement and anticipation of planning for the future. They began to discuss how to take care of the empty room in the house, how to arrange their daily life, and every little detail seemed so important and exciting.
Although this decision means a readjustment of life, it also brings about the harmony of family affection that has been lost for a long time. Zhang Haibo's heart, no matter how strong or self-reliant, always inevitably reveals his dependence and attachment to his family.
After a few weeks, everything was ready. Zhang Xiaogang drove to the nursing home, returned with Zhang Haibo, and returned to the home that carried countless memories. The old locust tree at the door of the house is still tall and green, as if welcoming the return of the old man. Although Zhang Haibo is reluctant, he is more looking forward to starting his family life again.
"Come home Dad. Zhang Xiaogang parked the car at the door of his house, turned his head to look at his father, and his eyes were full of tenderness.
"Well, home. Zhang Haibo held his son's hand tightly and walked slowly into his home, feeling the warmth that was deeply rooted in his heart at every step.
In the warmth of Zhang Haibo's return home, a new chapter of daily life slowly unfolded to them. Walking out of the haze of the nursing home, Zhang Haibo's face reappeared with a warm smile in the past, and the breath of home gradually penetrated into his vicissitudes of life.
"Dad, this is our carefully formulated daily life plan for you. Zhang Xiaoxiao handed her father a beautifully bound plan.
"Look at what we arranged for you, walk with Niuniu in the morning and exercise, and I will play chess with you in the evening. Zhang Xiaogang immediately joined in the introduction, and they prepared many family activities suitable for the elderly.
"Well, that sounds pretty good. Lao Zhang opened the plan, his eyes were full of satisfaction, "Then what should I do when you two are busy?"
"It's okay, the neighbor Uncle Li said that he is retired at home and is willing to play chess with you, and there is an elderly activity room in the community, where you can learn calligraphy and painting. Zhang Xiaoxiao thought of it all.
"And we have an economic plan in place to ensure that you have no worries about your life. Zhang Xiaogang continued.
Zhang Haibo listened to the children's affectionate planning and comfort, and a warm current surged in his heart: "You guys are really thoughtful, my old bones can still enjoy so much of your thoughts." ”
With family life on the right track, Zhang Haibo felt not only the warmth of home, but also the power of family affection. Xiaoxiao always takes Zhang Haibo to prepare dinner when she comes home from work every day, and on weekends, Xiaogang takes Niuniu and the old man to the park together, so that he can talk to nature and feel the beauty of life.
"Dad, can we consider organizing a family trip?" One weekend, as the family sat around the living room, Zhang Xiaogang came up with a new idea.
"Okay, I can go anywhere, as long as I can be with you. Zhang Haibo was full of anticipation, and his excitement about the trip was evident in his tone.
The details of life are spread out one by one, Zhang Haibo has experienced the heaviness and affection of life, and his heart is extremely down-to-earth. He understands that every member of the family is contributing to his later life, not only in life, but also in spiritual care and support.
In this warm family, everyone is busy, orderly, and full of love. Zhang Haibo often looks at the old locust tree in front of the house when he walks in the evening, and involuntarily asks in his heart: What is more precious than having such a warm old age?