It is my grandpa's 90th birthday today in China. I called my dad to ask when they will go to grandpa's house for birthday party. My mom is on vacation with my aunt and won't be back until tomorrow, so the birthday party changed to Sunday.
"Your grandpa is getting old in his mind," my dad said on another side of the phone: "He is like an old kid now. Always just do whatever he wants to do, and he still wants others to think he is important, I guess." Before my grandpa's retirement, he was head of the Sichuan province's The State Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision, in another word, he was a very important person who works for the government. I was told how important he was and how much people respect him when I was young. Even now, after 30 years of retirement, my grandpa still has a very nice benefit from government that none of his four sons could earn before their retirement.
"So, your grandpa was showing you off to his driver and told them you are going to be a teacher in America. And his driver asked if you have an English textbook for 2nd grader which American kids use. The driver has a son who is in 2nd grade and interesting in English. And, your grandpa kind of said you can help him with that. Why he even say yes before he ask me!" My dad was getting upset on the phone: "I really don't like people give out promises that need others to fulfill!" "Well, I don't think you can buy a textbook like how it is in China. I will tell grandpa that," I answered. "Yes, just tell him it is impossible. Don't explain too much, simpler is better. He might or might not ask you when you call, but if he ask, just say no," my dad said.
I called grandpa soon after the conversation with my dad. "Shanshan! You remember my birthday!" My grandpa said in such a happy tone even before I say anything about his birthday. "Happy 90th birthday, grandpa!" I said. "You always remember my birthday. I have something to ask you," my grandpa said. OK. I knew what he was going to ask. "My driver has a son who is in 2nd grade. He likes English. Can you find him the English textbook that American kids use?" grandpa asked. "I am not sure where to get it. They don't sell textbook in public in America," I answered. "Oh..." My grandpa sound disappointed: "how about used ones?" I didn't know children just return the textbooks after school year at that point. "I will try to find it for you, grandpa. Don't worry. I can't guarantee. But I will try." I said. "Thank you! Is it expensive to ship to here?" Grandpa sounded happier. "No, no, no. Don't worry about it. Just books, not expensive." I couldn't tell him that shipment is by weight. Books aren't light.
As soon as my dad told me about grandpa's request, I already decided to find an English textbook for 2nd grader for him. If I can't find the ones they use in school, I will buy the ones sell in bookstores. The driver and his son won't know the difference, same as my dad and my grandpa. I couldn't turn down this simple request from my grandpa, so I disobeyed my dad for the love of my grandpa. He is 90 today. He never asked anything from me. How could I turn him down? No matter if he just wants to show me off or make him as important as before, he is just a beloved grandpa in my eyes.
My parents are the greatest children for their parents and in-laws. They took care my grandparents more than any other their siblings and always there for them. But, they do get tired sometimes. They do need someone else back them up. I love my grandparents dearly, maybe more than my parents in someway. I could never disobey my grandparents but did many times to my parents.
I imagine that my children watch me turn down a simple request from their grandparents, what a horrible child I must be. I couldn't imagine to make my parents sad in their old age, set a bad example for my children and be turn down by my children when I get old.
Life is a karma. Be kind to who you will be in the future.
Happy birthday, grandpa. Your birthday gift is on the way!
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Dandelion
The small soft white puffy thing, so tender, so weak, so lovely. You hold them tied, they break, the wind will take them away, the sun will age them, they can never be here long, they can never be belonged. This lovely sad little thing is a truly beautiful. It will be the soft, sad spot of my heart. Archives
July 2016
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