Home and park, separated by a wall, I have developed the ability to climb walls since I was young.
Although I was never agile in sports, I was trained by my friends to climb up and pull myself up. From then on, I started various climbing activities.
I climbed over the hospital wall, climbed over the roof, and explored the construction site. Looking back today, I began to understand why children like to go to places that adults consider dangerous. It turns out that it is the anticipation of the unknown.
When I finally reached my goal through various efforts and methods, and saw scenes I had never seen before, the fear, regret, and annoyance I just experienced all disappeared. The joy made me involuntarily shout into the distance.
When my mother gave birth to my younger sibling, I was sent to my grandmother's house. I quickly forgot the sadness of being separated from my mother and became one with the children in the neighborhood. I suddenly realized that no matter where I am, there is always a child who can dominate the area and command admirers.
My grandmother and two aunts spoiled me. I really lived a comfortable life, but the only downside was that I could only follow behind other children and develop new skills. Catching fish worms, stealing corn, roasting wheat grains, being chased by mother hens, and being pecked by ganders; I did my best and quickly became darker, shedding my shy and timid appearance.
On summer nights in the countryside, everyone would come out to sit under the streetlights and enjoy the cool breeze. The fans would sway up and down, driving away mosquitoes and moths. Various flying insects would linger around the yellowish light, and occasional laughter would come from the crowd. My grandmother sat among the crowd, surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Occasionally, she would look around, her gaze searching to make sure her eldest granddaughter was safe and not being bullied. The summer nights were so peaceful and cool.
I always tried to escape her gaze and enjoyed secretly watching her slightly panicked calmness.
My escape finally taught me a memorable lesson.
After playing various games one evening, a friend suggested, "The adults are all at the door, let's go to a 'hot-tempered' family and get some food, challenge ourselves."
The reason was that her family had a plum tree, which was now full of purple fruits. They also had chickens and ducks, and now there were ripe tomatoes and cucumbers. But what made me hesitate was that they also raised two pigs, which were dirty and smelly creatures to me. Being afraid of the dark, I hesitated a bit, fearing that everyone would look down on me. I could only follow behind tremblingly and sneak into the yard. Before I could figure out what was going on, everyone suddenly started running. I also followed without knowing why. The pigsty in front blocked our way, and one by one, my friends climbed over it. After gritting my teeth and stomping my feet, I finally fell in. How did I get out? What did the adults and children say? My mind was completely blank. Under the moonlight, the people who were enjoying the cool breeze had already dispersed, and I was left alone repeatedly scooping water and pouring it down.
This is a funny story from my childhood. I can say the "cause" but I can't remember the "effect".
My grandmother was every summer in my childhood. She would pick the best fruits from the two cherry trees in front of the house and have someone bring them to me. She marked the beginning and end of my summer vacation.
I was sixteen when I last saw my grandmother. After that, I could only get news about her intermittently from my mother's phone calls. She was an important person in my childhood, but because of studies, work, and family, I found various excuses and never had the chance to visit her again.
On the day of departure, I cried as if I knew something. My grandmother was in good health, but I knew I had to go to a farther place to study, not knowing where I would live. It would be extremely difficult to come back again, and I didn't know when we would meet again. The uncontrollable future made me cry bitterly. But my grandmother said to me, "Don't cry, don't cry, crying doesn't look pretty! Say 'goodbye' with a smile. When I think of you, you are a beautiful little girl."
With tears in my eyes, I kept looking back at my smiling grandmother, and she gradually disappeared from my sight. Just like on the road of life, I reluctantly had to leave, leaving behind a smile. The memories that followed would always be beautiful.
My grandmother passed away at the age of ninety-six, and I am now in middle age.
When we parted, her face was full of smiles, which is the most precious inheritance from my ancestors.
Thinking of her, her face is still filled with the warmth of time, blooming with a gentle smile.