As the saying goes, distant relatives are not as good as close neighbors. Neighbors look down and see each other. A smile or a greeting conveys mutual respect and embodies a kind of harmony. Living in a modern city, there are high-rise buildings made of cement and steel bars everywhere. The natural kindness and warmth between neighbors are gradually replaced by the pace of modern urban life, so much so that some people feel that "neighbors feel like they are far apart". As a member of the city, I am very fortunate to have a good neighbor who allows me to live in a warm atmosphere all the time and enjoy the wonderful life that a harmonious society brings to us.
My home is in a secluded courtyard near Ximendi in the county. There are only a few families in the courtyard, and the environment is quiet and comfortable. The neighbor, Lao Luo, has a family of three. His son, Xiao Luo, has been single and living with his two elders because of his mental retardation. Lao Luo was a cadre who had transferred to the south. He became a celebrity in the county because he took a photo with Premier Zhou Enlai when he went to Beijing to receive commendations as a representative of the national model workers in the 1960s. After retiring, he has been idle at home. The family of three lives on Lao Luo's salary. In addition, his wife is diligent and thrifty in housekeeping. He effectively uses the open space in the courtyard, grows vegetables of all seasons, and feeds chickens, ducks, geese, pigs, etc., although his life is not rich. , quite passable.
Lao Luo’s family is from outside the country and they don’t speak the local dialect very well. As a couple, we are self-employed and leave early and come home late, so we don’t have much time at home. Therefore, there are not many opportunities for our two families to chat together, but these have not affected the harmonious atmosphere between our neighbors at all. Lao Luo takes care of us as his own children, and we respect Lao Luo as our father. On the window sill of my house, there are often pure green vegetables such as peppers, eggplants, beans, etc. that Lao Luo picks from the vegetable garden without pesticides and fertilization. Occasionally, I also put some eggs and duck eggs. Although these are not worth much, they are Lao Luo's pieces after all. Attention is the kindness of neighbors that no amount of money can buy.
Lao Luo’s family is all very honest, and sometimes they don’t know how to solve simple things. I still remember one day in July one year, the weather was extremely hot. When I came home at nine o'clock in the evening, I found that Lao Luo's house was completely dark. At first I thought it was a fault in his home's circuit. After I checked and found that it was not a problem with the circuit, I called the power supply company and learned that the meter was turned off due to arrears, so I hurried to close the circuit. superior. From then on, every time I paid the water and electricity bills, digital TV viewing fees, etc. at home, I would also take Lao Luo’s to pay them. Every day when I went home to cook at noon, I would ask Lao Lu if he needed anything. I help, such as changing light bulbs, faucets, etc. Sometimes I help contact professionals to solve problems that I can't solve.
However, things are unpredictable, and Lao Luo and his wife passed away from illness in 2011 and 2012. From contacting the ice coffin, setting up the shed, hiring a chef, decorating the mourning hall, transporting the funeral vehicle, etc., I helped with the entire process. People who didn’t know me thought I was a direct relative of his family, and they all appreciated my good deeds. Actually, I don't think it's a big deal. Lao Luo and his wife usually treat me well, and as neighbors, it's only right to do their best to give them a ride.
After Lao Luo and his wife passed away, Ronaldinho began to enjoy the national subsistence allowance subsidy. Since he still has some problems taking care of himself, it is unrealistic to expect him to feed those chickens, ducks, geese, and pigs. He can only eat what he eats and sell what he sells. Later, even a dog I kept as a housekeeper bit a passerby. In desperation, I had no choice but to pay for Ronaldinho's rabies vaccine out of my own pocket and gave the dog away. Without the chirping and playing of the livestock, the courtyard suddenly became much quieter. Only a few birds were still chirping on the branches. Their voices were lonely and sad, as if they were expressing their longing for the two elders.
Ronaldinho’s only hobby is fishing. Sometimes he doesn’t come back for lunch and stays out all day. Worried about Ronaldinho's safety, I went out with him several times to find out where he often fished so that I could find him easily if he didn't come home on time. Ronaldinho likes fishing, but his skills are not very good. He mostly harvests small crucian carp and the like. The occasional good harvest will make him excited, and he insists on giving me two to try. Naturally, I can't refuse under such kindness. If you eat what he has for free, give him some fruits or drinks in return. Although Ronaldinho sometimes squats alone in front of the door and giggles, he knows who is good to him and who is not good to him, what he can do and what he cannot do. When he has nothing to do, Ronaldinho will clean up the weeds in front of and behind the house.
Some relatives and friends asked me why I didn’t move out of the slightly remote and poor compound where I had lived for many years. I just laughed and said nothing. Firstly, I have a deep affection for this courtyard, and secondly, my neighbor Ronaldinho is my brother. When I go home every night and see the light in his room, I feel relieved.
After Jiayu’s poverty alleviation campaign began in 2015, community staff went to Xiao Luo’s home several times to learn about the situation and ask for help. After learning that Ronaldinho can still take care of himself and does not need to be sent to an orphanage for the time being, he told me to pay more attention to him in my daily life and contact the community in time if I have any difficulties. On the eve of the Spring Festival of the Year of the Monkey, a condolence group organized by the community came to Ronaldinho's home to offer condolences and sent daily necessities such as rice and oil as well as 500 yuan in cash. It was reported that Ronaldinho's house would be renovated, which I was particularly pleased about.
Yes, with the poverty alleviation policies of the party and the government and the dedicated support of the party members and cadres to the poor and mentally retarded people, I think that even if one day I move out of this compound, my neighbor Ronaldinho will still live a good life.
Life is beautiful! Good policies bring good life, good neighbors bring good mood, and good mood embellishes a good life!