On the morning of June 3, 2014, my grandmother passed away.

I didn’t return home for the Dragon Boat Festival because of work, and the regret is unbearable. Looking back, it truly shouldn’t have been that way. Some people in the family don’t even return for the New Year, and I just don’t understand it. No matter how much money you make outside, you can’t take it with you in the end. Spending more time with the elderly at home is far more meaningful. When they reach a certain age, they don’t hope for you to achieve great success—they just hope you can come home more often.

Thinking back to my childhood memories at my grandmother’s house, every visit, though brief, was filled with her wholehearted care for us kids. When I was little, my mother was often away, and I was raised by my grandmother and my other grandma. That’s why, whenever I had time, I would rush back home to see them.

As the elderly grow older, the house becomes quieter and emptier. The once-lively courtyard is now still, and childhood playmates have gone their separate ways. Every time I called the elderly at home to say I’d visit, I could hear the joy in their voice through the phone. As I approached the village entrance, I would always see them standing on the hillside, waving at us. When we arrived, their faces would light up with the childlike happiness of seeing us again.

But these moments fade as we grow older and move farther away. The elderly remain behind, left only with their daily hopes of our return.

Don’t wait until the elderly are gone to realize the importance of coming home. One day, we too will grow old and long for our children’s return. In this increasingly materialistic society, let’s cherish family bonds and the feeling of home. No matter how busy work gets, visit home often. Call regularly, and let the elderly know they’re in your thoughts and that you care about them.

June 3, 2014, 10:08 AM Entry