I stood in the middle of the living room, tears streaming down my cheeks. My voice trembled, almost pleading: "Mom, you...... You'd better go. ”
As soon as these words came out, I felt a heart-rending pain. Mother Zhang Hong sat on the sofa, the expression on her face gradually changed from shock to deep pain. Her lips trembled, as if she wanted to say something, but she couldn't.
"Jun'er, you...... What do you mean? Mother finally spoke, her voice full of disbelief, "I've only been here for a month......"
I lowered my head, not daring to look my mother in the eye. This home, once a place full of laughter and laughter, is now filled with a suffocating and heavy atmosphere. My wife Wang Lin and son Li Rui were not at home, leaving me alone to face this difficult time.
"Mom, I know it's sudden, but ......" Before I could finish my sentence, I was interrupted by my mother.
"Suddenly?" Mother's voice was raised, with a hint of anger, "I worked hard to pull you up, and now that you're old, you treat me like this?" ”
I felt like the world was spinning. Just a month ago, we were a harmonious family of three, full of anticipation for the future. And now, this home seems to be torn apart by an invisible force.
I took a deep breath and tried to calm my emotions. I knew how cruel my decision was, but I had no choice. The conflicts and contradictions that have occurred in the past month have brought the family to the brink of collapse.
"Mom, listen to me......" I began, my voice full of pain and struggle.
The mother shook her head, tears flashing in her eyes: "No need to explain, I understand." I'm an old woman, I'm causing you trouble, isn't I? ”
Looking at my mother's hurt expression, my heart hurt like a knife. How I wish I could retract what I just said, how I wish I could go back a month and make a new choice. But reality is a brutal reminder that some things happen that can never be undone.
I stood there with tears streaming down my face, full of contradictions and pain. Am I an unfilial son? Am I living up to my mother's expectations? Or am I just trying to protect my little family?
At this moment, I can't help but ask: what is the reason why our family fell apart in just one month? Why did our good intentions end up with such painful results?
I think back to a month ago, when I proposed to take my mother to my home for the elderly, my heart was full of joy of filial piety. After my father died, my mother lived alone, and I was always at ease. After discussing with my wife, Wang Lin, we agreed to take my mother to live with us.
"Mom, come and stay with us." I said to my mother on the other end of the phone, "This way we can take care of you, and Li Rui can be closer to grandma." ”
The mother was silent on the phone for a while, and then said with some hesitation, "Jun'er, will this cause you trouble?" ”
"How's that, Mom." I smiled and said, "Our whole family is happy that you're here." ”
So, at our warm invitation, my mother agreed to move in with us. We packed up a spacious and bright room for her, and also bought some furniture and supplies for the elderly.
On the day my mother came, our whole family went to the train station to pick her up. Li Rui ran forward excitedly and shouted "grandma". Wang Lin also enthusiastically helped her mother carry her luggage. Looking at this warm scene, my heart is full of happiness and anticipation.
However, the rosy expectations were soon shattered by reality.
For the first week, everything seemed to be going well. Mother was eager to help with household chores and cook us delicious meals. Li Rui also likes to be with his grandmother, pestering his grandmother to tell stories every day when he comes home from school.
However, as time went on, some minor problems began to emerge. Mothers used to wake up early and often started to be busy early in the morning, which affected our sleep. She also likes to turn on the TV loudly, which makes Wang Lin, who is used to being quiet, feel uncomfortable.
We tried to communicate with my mother, but she always said, "I'm doing this for your own good, you young people are just lazy." ”
Gradually, contradictions began to accumulate. His mother began to intervene in Li Rui's education. One day, I came home and found Li Rui watching TV instead of doing homework.
"Rui Rui, why don't you do your homework?" I asked.
"Grandma said I was studying too hard and asked me to watch TV for a while." Li Rui replied.
I frowned and turned to my mother: "Mom, Li Rui's study is very important, and you can't interrupt it at will." ”
The mother disagreed: "Oh, children have to combine work and rest when they study." That's how I took you when you were a child, haven't you grown up too? ”
I was speechless for a moment, not knowing how to respond. There are more and more such scenes, and my mother's educational philosophy is far from ours, which makes Wang Lin and I feel very troubled.
At the same time, the contradiction between her mother and Wang Lin is also quietly intensifying. Her mother likes to tidy up the housework in her own way, and often rearrange the things that Wang Lin has packed up. The two often have small frictions in the kitchen, and they have their own opinions about the taste and method of the dish.
One day, I came home from work and found Wang Lin wiping tears in the kitchen.
"What's wrong?" I asked with concern.
Wang Lin whispered: "Your mother said that the food I cook is not delicious, and that I will not take care of the family." I really tried my best, but ......"
I sighed and hugged her gently, "I know you're working hard. I'll talk to my mom. ”
However, every time I tried to communicate these issues with my mother, it always turned into an argument. My mother felt that we did not respect her, and I felt caught between my mother and my wife.
The atmosphere at home is getting more and more tense. Wang Lin began to take Li Rui out often to avoid conflicts with her mother. Li Rui has also become taciturn, no longer as lively as before. Every day I come home, I feel an invisible pressure in the air.
Finally, in the fourth week after my mother came to stay, things reached a breaking point. That day, I came home from work and found my house in shambles. Mother and Wang Lin were arguing fiercely, and Li Rui hid in the corner crying.
It turned out that her mother accidentally broke one of Wang Lin's treasured cosmetics, and Wang Lin lost control of her emotions and said some hurtful words. The mother felt insulted and began to fight back.
I tried to calm the argument, but neither of us would back down. In the end, Wang Lin slammed the door with Li Rui, leaving my mother and I looking at each other.
At that moment, I realized that things were irreparable. I love my mother, but I also love my wife and son dearly. I can't let this family go on like this.
So, after much deliberation, I made this painful decision.
"Mom," I said, taking a deep breath and trying to control my emotions, "I know you mean well, but ......"
"But what?" My mother interrupted me, her eyes filled with hurt and anger, "Is it wrong that I just want to live with my own son?" ”
I shook my head, "That's right, Mom." But we ...... We need our own space. Your living habits are different from those of Wang Lin and Li Rui, which has caused a lot of contradictions. ”
"Then you're going to drive me away?" There was a tremor in the mother's voice, "I raised you so big, in exchange for this result?" ”
I felt a deep sense of guilt and powerlessness. I knew how hurtful my decision was, but I had no choice. I have to think about my little family.
"Mom, I'm not trying to drive you away." I tried to explain, "I'll find you a better place to stay, and we can still see each other often." ”
The mother was silent for a long time, then slowly stood up. Her eyes were full of disappointment and sadness: "Okay, since you said so, then I'll just go." ”
Looking at my mother's rickety back, my heart felt like it was torn. How I wish I could find the best of both worlds, but the reality is so harsh.
This experience made me deeply reflect on the complexity of intergenerational relationships. Traditional filial piety requires us to take care of our elderly parents, but the needs of modern families are so different. How do we find a balance between respecting the elderly and maintaining the nuclear family?
This problem is not only a problem for my family, but also a challenge for the whole society. As the population ages, more and more families will face similar dilemmas. We need to rethink the model of elderly care to respect the needs of the elderly while protecting the family life of the younger generation.
Perhaps, the key to solving this problem lies in communication. If we can be more honest about our needs and concerns, if we can listen more patiently to each other's ideas, maybe we can avoid a lot of unnecessary conflicts.
However, communication alone is not enough. We also need the support of society. Perhaps we need more community-based senior care facilities where seniors can be cared for and remain independent. Perhaps we need more flexible working systems so that young people have more time to spend with their parents.
Looking at my mother's back as she packed her belongings, my heart was filled with mixed emotions. I know that this decision will change our relationship forever. I may never be able to forgive myself, but I also know that it was a choice I had to make for the sake of my little family.
I stepped forward and patted my mother on the shoulder: "Mom, I will go to see you often." ”
The mother didn't look back, just gave a soft "um". I know that there is still a long way to go to repair our relationship.
When my mother left, I stood in the doorway, watching her slowly walk away, tears welling up in my eyes again. I don't know what the future holds, but I know that we have to find a new way to keep our family together, a way to take care of everyone's needs.
It's a difficult process, full of pain and struggle. But I believe that as long as we remain open and understanding, we will eventually find a path that works for everyone. After all, the love between family members should be unconditional and should not be wiped out by the trivialities of life.
I sighed deeply and closed the door. I know that this is just a turning point, not the end, of our family story. We still have a long way to go and a lot of issues to solve. But I believe that as long as we don't give up, one day, we will find a way for everyone to feel loved and respected.
This experience taught me that family relationships need to be constantly adjusted and balanced. It is not static, but requires our continuous efforts to maintain and improve. We need to learn to find a balance between tradition and modernity, between filial piety and independence, and find a way that suits each family.
Finally, I picked up the phone and dialed Wang Lin's number. I know that we still have a lot to discuss and a lot to solve. But I also know that as long as we love and understand each other, we will be able to overcome this difficult time and rebuild our family harmony.
Because, that's what family is all about. We may have disagreements, there will be arguments, but in the end, we will always find our way home.