The father-in-law's actions made the daughter-in-law think.
*Ms. Truong Quynh's story, posted on the Zhihu platform, unexpectedly received a lot of attention.
Before, my husband and I had a very comfortable life. Our family was well-off, we didn't have to worry about finances, and both of us had stable jobs.
However, in mid-2023, my husband's company faced serious financial difficulties. Projects were stalled, salaries were cut, and the company was at risk of bankruptcy.
To maintain operations, my husband has to work overtime continuously, some days he works until 2-3 am before coming home.
I myself cannot sit still. Before, I was just a housewife, but now I am forced to find a part-time job to share the economic burden.
During the day I go to work, and at night I take on extra online work. All household expenses are cut to the minimum.
Meals are no longer as plentiful as before, expensive items or new clothes are almost luxuries.
My husband and I tried to make ends meet, but the harder we tried, the more pressure I felt on my shoulders.
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My family lives with my father-in-law, who is over 80 years old. He has mixed signs of old age but is still very interested in the lives of his children and grandchildren. One night, when my husband had not yet returned from his late shift, I sat in the room, staring blankly at the expense sheet filled with numbers. Just then, there was a knock on the door.
“Quynh, are you asleep yet?”, the father-in-law's voice said.
I quickly stood up and opened the door, looking at him in his old pajamas, his eyes were kind but a bit sad.
“Dad, are you not sleeping? It's late.”, I asked.
He entered, closing the door carefully. In his hand was a small notebook and a bank card. “I want to give you this,” he placed the notebook and card on the table.
I looked down and realized it was my father's pension book and a savings account. I was startled and quickly waved my hand: "Dad, this is your money! Please don't give it all to us. You keep it for your old age, how can we receive it?"
My father-in-law sat down gently, his eyes showing determination. He sighed softly, his hand placed on mine: “Do you know? When I was young, I also went through difficult days like this. At that time, your grandfather did the same thing for me. He told me: ‘Family is the place to rely on, the greatest support when facing difficulties’. I am just doing what I believe is right.”
I choked up, not knowing what else to say. Tears fell, rolling down my cheeks.
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I tossed and turned all night, thinking about what my father-in-law had said. When my husband got home, I told him everything. He was silent for a moment, then turned to look at me.
“I understand how Dad feels. But I agree with you, this is retirement money, we can't accept it.”
The next morning, my husband and I went to see my father-in-law and returned his pension book and savings card. My husband said to my father: “Dad, we are very grateful to you. But please keep this money. We will try our best, don't worry about us anymore.”
I saw him nod slightly: "Okay, then you must promise me, no matter how difficult it is, you must not give up."
My husband and I held hands and firmly replied, "Yes, we promise."
A year later, my husband's company gradually recovered. Life was no longer as difficult as before. The whole family could sit together around the dinner table, without financial worries weighing on their shoulders. My father-in-law was still healthy, happily living with his children and grandchildren.
I realized that it is not money, but love and family unity that is the most precious thing. And above all, the most important thing is to have a warm home, where there are always loved ones waiting.
Source: https://giadinh.suckhoedoisong.vn/chong-lam-an-kho-khan-bo-chong-dua-1-thu-khien-con-dau-roi-nuoc-mat-17225022822434946.htm
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