Grandma pushed the red box into mom's hand, I stood outside and witnessed it, crying.

Life has unexpected moments that change the way each person perceives the things around them.

I was born and raised in a family of three generations, where my childhood was closely linked to the image of my grandmother, mother and untold stories. But perhaps the most vivid memory in my mind is the times I witnessed my grandmother scolding my mother mercilessly.

Illustration photo: Pexel

My grandmother was a strong, resilient woman who had gone through many hardships after her husband died early to raise my father and my aunts and uncles. After my father married my mother, she continued to be the head of the family and made all the decisions.

In her eyes, a woman is only valuable when she has a job and earns money to take care of her family. But my mother is different. She does not go to work but chooses to stay at home as a housewife, taking care of the family, cooking and cleaning. This makes my grandmother unhappy.

I still remember the times when my mother sat silently and endured my grandmother's scolding. "If you don't make money, you have no say in the house," my grandmother used to say. My mother quietly did the housework, didn't say anything, just bowed her head and did everything.

I knew my mother was sad, but I never saw her argue back or show any dissatisfaction. Every time I heard my grandmother scold my mother, I felt angry for her, but I didn't know what to do other than secretly hug her and softly say, "I love you so much, Mom!"

Time passed like that, day after day. Grandma still often blamed me, and my mother still silently did all the housework. Sometimes, I saw my mother shed tears but Grandma did not know, or if she knew, she did not comfort her.

My family’s life began to change when my grandmother became seriously ill. She was 75 years old and had diabetes for many years, which now affected many other parts of her body.

She was confined to a wheelchair and could no longer take care of herself. She needed help with all her daily activities. Her aunts and uncles were busy with work, and my father could not be home often. So, my mother became the sole caregiver for my grandmother.

Every day, Mom did not hesitate to take care of Grandma's meals and sleep. Even though Grandma had scolded Mom many times before, Mom still took care of Grandma with all her devotion and love.

One day, my grandmother called my mother into her room and said, "All my life, I thought that working to earn money was what was important, but now I realize that there are things more important than money."

Having said that, Grandma opened the red box placed on the bedside table, inside were 2 taels of gold that she had kept for a long time. Grandma gave it to Mom, telling Mom to keep it for herself, not to tell anyone.

My mother refused and told my grandmother, "Just understand my feelings is enough." My grandmother still pushed her hand into my mother's and turned away, wiping her tears.

I stood outside and witnessed the whole scene, moved to tears. I knew I was witnessing a historic moment for my family. That moment was engraved in my heart, making me love and respect my grandmother and mother even more.

A little over a year later, my grandmother passed away. Now, whenever I think back, I still remember the image of those two women: One was once strong but then realized her weakness, the other was quiet but stronger and more persistent than ever.

It was my mother who taught me the lessons of kindness, silent sacrifice and the true value of family love that money can never buy.

Source: https://giadinh.suckhoedoisong.vn/ba-noi-dui-chiec-hop-do-vao-tay-me-toi-dung-ngoai-chung-kien-ma-roi-nuoc-mat-172241014093637116.htm