Love and Responsibility Connect Three Generations

何彥學 趙初初

This is a true story that happened during our “home-visiting " activity which was organized by the Bureau of Education of our county in the year 2014.

When we paid a visit to their home after school，all of us were deeply shocked to be mute by the scene before our eyes：a shabby old gate，a dry and weed-filled yard，and three long time unrepaired houses.And who was that retarded mid-aged lady with shabby clothes？ A big question mark came out from our mind.

It was the girl's grandma—a 73-year-old lady who welcomed us to come into their home.

After sitting down，the old lady told us all the things about their unusual and special family：

She had a son.And he brought a young mentally-changed lady（her daughter-in-law now）who had already had two months' pregnancy to their home in the year 2002.After the baby's birth，he turned a cold mind to her.For he stubbornly thought the little cute girl did not have directly blood connection with him at all and he was eager to have his own baby.But it was really a pity that the young woman had never got pregnancy since then.With hopelessness and misery，he left the home with anger and abandoned three of them heartlessly.Until now，he has not been back to his home to see his old mom，retarded wife and lovely daughter for more than three years.Sometimes，he just bought some daily necessities；put them down before the gate and then he left again with a stone heart silently.

The girl's fate/ destiny were full of agony and in deep anguish.To add the salt to the injury，（the worst came to the worst）when the girl was in grade three，without awareness，a log falling down from the roof of the house and hurt the girl's left leg badly.So she had no choice but to stay at home waiting for a recovery for a year.After that，she continued her study in school.The happy and warm thing was that she always got the first place in study in her class.What's more，she was one of the most diligent and polite students in school.While saying these to us，the old lady pointed to the "Honorary Credential" on the wall.When she was at home，the girl was also very helpful to her dear grandma.Washing clothes，doing the dishes，cooking meals and doing the housework，such kind of things were common and easy tasks for this little girl.

In winter，their life was really harsh and difficult.Because of the house which was left in an unrepairing condition for quite a long period of time.And what's worse，they did not have enough money to buy the coal to keep warm.At night，the extremely cold strong wind could easily blow into the old shabby house.Under the cover of a small and thin quilt，they hugged tightly to get warm，but that was in vain.There were just wishing the day could come earlier，so that they could get the warm sunshine，but the winter night was coming so slow and long....

In terms of the family income，three acres of the maize's harvest and the hen's eggs were the only financial support for them.During the slack season，the old lady went to the top of mountains/ hills to dig the herbs to sell.She used that little money to pay for her little granddaughter's study costs and their daily needs...

Now the old lady is becoming older and older.Her health condition is also becoming worse and worse.She really does not know how long she can support this imperfect family；she really does not know how long she can have the ability to take good care of and keep up her beloved little lovely granddaughter.While talking about these to us，the crystal tears were rolling down from her face.

The old lady，who should have enjoyed an easy life in an old age，but now out of the responsibility and love，survives hardly and bravely.

The little girl，who should have enjoyed her sweet childhood like others，but because of the harsh and cruel reality，has to shoulder the heavy burden of life earlier.Luckily，misfortunes and difficulties do not force her to give up the confidence towards the life.On the contrary，she becomes more sensible，more diligent，braver and more polite compared with her peers.

While facing this responsible and impressive old lady，we are not able to find appropriate words to comfort and encourage her except admiration；while seeing the retarded mid-aged lady，we are unable to express our mood except sympathy；while looking at the little lovely girl，we are powerless except the best wishes to her.For we clearly know her life road will be uneasy to go.We clearly know that her academic journey will not be as smooth as others.

Only can we do is to sincerely hope her poor family can get help from other kind-hearted and generous people，voluntary groups or charitable organizations.We truthfully wish their life will be getting better.

We are piously praying for that comes true；

We are truthfully anticipating seeing it；

We are eagerly looking forward to justifying it.

For we firmly believe that where there is love and responsibility，there is hope.Good things can finally happen to good people！

（作者單位：1.甘肅省靜寧縣細巷初級中學；

2.甘肅省靜寧縣紅寺中心小學）