An ordinary but great memory

"Once you enter the ordinary, you will be calm in all your thoughts" - Master Hongyi

I once heard someone say that it is best for people to be young when they die. Of course, the later this day comes, the better.

On the afternoon of the last day of October, the afterglow of the setting sun extinguished on the north-facing windowsill, taking my father away. My father left very quietly, without even having time to say goodbye to his beloved family members.

Just a week ago, when I was traveling with my father, my father laughed and said that next year he would live in the mountains for a week to nourish his heart and lungs with oxygen and negative ions. I said no problem, and my wife even inquired about the rents of nearby houses. The whole family was talking and laughing along the way. On the scenic bridge in the countryside, my friend took a group photo of our family. The whole family’s smiles were as bright as the blue sky.

Even the night before, it was my niece’s birthday, and my brother invited us and the whole family to have dinner at the hotel. The father was rarely happy. He held his little granddaughter and kept taking pictures with his mobile phone, because recording video materials was his hobby. He enjoyed recording time on digital media.

This year, one thing that made him particularly happy was that his eldest granddaughter went to a key high school in the city. My daughter once said that the food in the restaurant on the third floor of the school was quite good and she would definitely take her grandfather to try it once in the future. After hearing this, my father repeatedly praised it.

When we were growing up, my father’s life was full of inspiration. As he ages, he teaches us how to grow with dignity, humor, and kindness. And when God finally called him away, he was so calm, teaching us how to face death with courage. I once remembered that the Indian poet Tukansa once wrote in "The Warrior Going Home": "When your life is about to end, don't be like those people who are full of fear of death, crying and praying before they die. I hope you can live your life again so that you can make different choices and live in a different way. Sing your death song and face death like a hero."

My father is a soldier and has experienced the military. The trials and turmoil of the times. Although being born in the military made my father physically and mentally strong and determined, I always felt that my father always had a literati temperament that stayed with him throughout his life. Therefore, even in the face of death, he is still so calm and calm.

My father likes to be quiet, loves photography, and loves to share his love of life with people around him. He taught us to love the world. He loved reading historical books at his desk. He loved watching birds flying by the river. He loved watching fireworks fill the sky during festivals. He even loved taking the bus from the starting point to the end and recording the changes of the city with a camera. . Even during the long afternoons of more than ten years guarding his ignorant eldest grandson, he would sit contentedly on the balcony sofa, light a cigarette, look at the majestic blue sky and ponder.

The calm horizon was full of light and hope in his eyes. He was truly a very optimistic person, and this optimism also guided his children, making each of us believe that anything is possible. He always makes bold decisions and constantly expands his horizons.

My father is a tolerant and generous person. Among my peers, the atmosphere in my family is the most harmonious, full of family democracy and language freedom. My father can make all sacrifices for the family. Even if we often make fun of some of my father's old stories in the restaurant, my father is still hardworking, kind and kind to us.

My father taught us how to give. He taught us that it is possible to hold on to important values ??such as family and faith. He firmly believes that giving back to society is important and believes that serving others can enrich one's soul. Therefore, after my father retired, he was extremely devoted to the cause of his clan and hometown, leaving all his body's energy to this family. For us now, our father is the brightest star in the night sky, constantly guiding us in the darkness. He gave of himself to the best of his ability. Family members say their father has become a mentor in their lives. He is willing to listen and good at comforting. He is not even a stern elder, but a close friend. All I can think of include some of my classmates and close friends, all of whom used to talk to my father about everything.

When he succeeds, he shares the glory; when he fails, he takes the responsibility. He accepts failure because it is part of a complete life. But he also told us to never let failure define your life. He lets us know that people can become more courageous through setbacks.

He loves to laugh, especially at himself. He would be sarcastic, but never out of malice. He especially appreciates witty jokes. This is why he chose to keep a large portion of his featured manuscripts on his personal computer.

My father graduated from the Seventh Military Medical University. Because of my work, he may have equipped computers, smartphones and other digital devices earlier than his classmates, and he became self-taught beyond my expectation, especially good at video production. He created a WeChat group for college classmates, specifically for close communication with classmates, and was very active in high school and college alumni gatherings. Dad knew how to be a truly loyal friend. He manages the friendship between friends and classmates with a generous and giving heart.

To this day, there are still students in the group expressing surprise and regret at their father's sudden death.

He told us that days are not meant to be wasted. He was incredibly fast on his walks. I always wonder why he walks so fast and always maintains a military posture. Later I understood that he wanted to move on to the next activity as quickly as possible, enjoy the rest of the day, not let the day go by in vain, and live every day to the fullest.

He taught us how to be a good father, a good grandfather, and taught us how to be a good husband. As we began to make our own paths in life, he stood by his principles while also being very supportive. He encouraged and comforted, but never manipulated. We challenged his patience—I know I did—but he always responded with selfless love.

Although history cannot record ordinary people, in our hearts, you will always be a great father and a gentleman with dignity and honor. To us, he is nearly perfect, but not quite. His chef's dishes are often overly salty, and his temper is sometimes extremely stubborn. By the way, the stubbornness in my character is also inherited from this. But now, I feel very proud.

My father has always been strong. But in the moment he left, I think all he really wanted was to hold his mother's hand and ours again. So at that point, I felt like he could hear us. I grabbed my father's cold hand and said, "Dad, I love you, you are a great father." Moreover, I firmly believe that my father must have responded, "I love you too."

Your integrity, sincerity and kind soul will always be with us. Through tears, we understand how lucky we are to know and love such a great and noble man as you. You are the best father a child could have.

Dad, we will remember you for this, but not just for this. We will always miss you.

Let us smile in sorrow and remember your voice and smile forever in our lives. If we meet again in a dream, I will hold your warm hand tightly and never let go.