It seems that as long as I can remember, the cluster of peony flowers in grandma's yard will bloom as promised every May. Now, I am forty years old, so this cluster of peony flowers has been in bloom for decades.
Peony flowers have grown into a large cluster with a diameter of one meter at the root of the east wall of the courtyard and next to the well platform. Grandma cherishes peony very much, so I always call it grandma's peony.
Grandma's peony is pink. When it blooms, it is charming and colorful, and people who watch it don't like it. Maybe it's because it's next to the well. Every spring, the leaves of that cluster of peony flowers will be lush and bright. From the end of April, the flowers and bones of peony will come out one by one. So I am looking forward to those flowers. I go to my grandmother's house every day after school to see if they have grown up a little and can bloom the next day.
Grandma always laughs at my impatience. She said that peony must not bloom until May. If the spring comes later that year, the flowering of Paeonia lactiflora will be delayed, and it will not bloom until June at the latest.
I know grandma has never been to school and can't read at all, but she talks endlessly about peony flowers. At that time, I thought grandma's feet were really amazing, and I didn't see how she cared for peony flowers, but grandma's peony flowers grew better and better, and the flowers increased every year.
So I asked, Grandma, can Peony understand you?
Grandma smiled, braiding my hair and saying that peony flowers are really spiritual. If something bad happens to our family this year, or if anyone is in poor health, peony flowers will feel that they will not bloom this year, even if they grow flowers and bones, they will wither.
I looked at my grandmother in surprise. I couldn't believe it. Grandma, are you telling a fairy tale? Peony is not a person, how can she know about family affairs? How can you cooperate with your family and refuse to blossom?
Grandma was in no hurry to convince me, just saying, take your time.
Believe it or not, I still expect grandma's peony flowers to bloom every year and bloom beautifully every summer, so grandma's family will be safe and my relatives will be safe.
"two"
Grandma has three daughters and two sons. Grandma also has an adopted son, whom I call Uncle. My second uncle is my primary school head teacher. He is handsome and speaks well. Many students like and respect him. I was not very sensible when I was in primary school. Although I know that the second uncle who is a teacher is not my own uncle, I just think this second uncle is much better than my grandmother's own uncle. My second uncle, who is a teacher, stands on the podium every day and gives cadence lectures. My second uncle, digging coal in a small coal mine, often has a black head and a black face. By contrast, he is much eclipsed.
It's also the time when peonies bloom. I go to my grandmother's house to play. I begged my grandmother to pick me a peony flower, but my grandmother, who has always been very fond of me, refused to promise me. I was unhappy, but I was in a hurry to get peony flowers, so I had to make up a lie.
Grandma, do you have to send me a peony? I said.
This kind of flower is beautiful on the leaves and can last for a long time. But it will fade soon after it is picked, so it can only be thrown away. That's a real pity. Grandma tried to convince me.
Grandma, I didn't pick the peony for myself. It was our teacher Ma who asked me to ask you for it. Our school called for making a specimen. Peony flowers are so beautiful that it is a pity not to make specimens. I am talking nonsense.
Teacher Ma? Your uncle? Grandma asked me.
Yes, that's my uncle, your adopted son. Grandma, don't you like him very much? I quickly said.
All right, I'll pick one for you. So grandma carefully cut a beautiful peony flower with scissors and gave it to me. Although I was a little blushed for lying, the joy of getting the peony flower exceeded the short-term guilt, and my face also smiled into a flower.
Grandma, I heard from my mother and my second aunt that it was because you recognized this adopted son that my second uncle didn't have a good life and everything didn't go well. Grandma, you have a son. Why do you want to adopt him? I can't help asking my grandmother curiously. This question has been in my mind for a long time. Every time I ask my mother or my second aunt, they will say, children should not ask around.
Grandma's look is a little gloomy. She took a ladle of water from the water tank and slowly poured it on the root of peony. Then, there was a smile in her eyes, a very calm smile.
Your second uncle as a teacher is a child of your grandfather's family, nicknamed Hua. Your great-grandmother gave birth to three girls and two boys. The first boy died at the age of five, and Hua was in poor health at the age of three. Your great-grandmother was afraid that her second son would suffer the same fate. The villagers advised her to recognize michel platini's godmother for China, so that the children could be supported. After careful consideration, your great-grandmother came to me and asked for my advice. But your grandfather shook his head and said, I have a second son, and I won't recognize other people's children as sons anymore. I know what your grandfather thinks. He is worried about the influence on his son. But I was born soft-hearted. Your great-grandmother led China. The child has beautiful eyes and is very attractive. So I persuaded your grandfather to agree to it. Hua took a pair of chopsticks and a bowl from our home. From then on, he called me mom and you grandpa and dad. I heard that your grandmother has been carefully preparing chopsticks and bowls. Strange to say, since then, China has grown taller and taller. After school, she studied well, and now she has a bright future and has become a teacher. Grandma has a smile on her face and tears in her eyes.
Grandma, my second uncle is in poor health now. Do you regret recognizing this adopted son? I asked carefully.
Don't regret, everyone's life is doomed by God. Your second uncle is having a bad time now, and it is definitely not your uncle Hua Er's exclusion. There are many roads in people's life, but there are twists and turns, and they will get better in the future. Grandma said frankly.
I saw that the smile on her face slowly bloomed into a peony flower, which was a beautiful expectation for the future.
My second uncle, who later became a teacher, was also very kind to my grandmother. She will wear gifts to visit two old people on holidays.
"three"
Aunt is grandma's youngest child and got married at 26. Married a man five years younger than her.
Grandma disapproved of this marriage. Her objection is simple. The young man is too young and frivolous to live. Aunt didn't listen to grandma and insisted on getting along with that man. They got married in May that year. I was 18 years old. I saw my grandma crying on my aunt's wedding day.
Grandma said to her aunt, Mei, if you don't listen to your mother, you will regret it in the future, but you will suffer.
Aunt also shed tears, but she trusted her choice too much. She thinks she will be happy. My aunt's wife is handsome and well-informed, and her future life can't be wrong.
Aunt got married and left, and many relatives went to see her off. I stayed at home with my grandmother. Grandma sat on the balcony, wiping her tears. Peony won't bloom this year, won't bloom. Grandma muttered.
Grandma, these flowers and bones are in bud one after another. How can they not bloom? No, grandma, don't be sad. My aunt just got married, so she's not coming back. I held my grandmother and comforted her.
Although I would never believe that peony flowers with so many flowers and bones would not bloom, but that year, after a storm, the flowers and bones of peony flowers withered, and only one really didn't bloom.
A year later, menstruation gave birth to a baby. Unfortunately, the child died at birth. It is a boy. Aunt's husband and mother-in-law left the hospital when they saw the child die young, regardless of the aunt who had just had a caesarean section. Or my mother and my second aunt have been taking care of in the hospital. After taking out stitches, menstruation went back to her husband's family. Mother-in-law is very cold to her, and my little uncle doesn't know where to go. Half a year later, my uncle sued for divorce, and my aunt only returned to my grandmother's house with her own clothes.
It took my sad aunt a long time to get over the gloom of her first marriage. In the meantime, my grandmother took care of her like a child.
After that year, my family moved to the city. I can't stay with my grandmother all the time, and I can't go to see flowers every day in every peony blossom season.
After the divorce, Xiao Yan lived in her grandmother's house for nearly four years. Five years later, she got married again. This time, she married a good family. Mrs ZSZSZSZ is honest and considerate to Xiao Yan.
When my aunt got married for the second time, it was still when the peony was in full bloom. That year, grandma's peony bloomed very well and was about to drip. Grandma is also very happy.
I secretly asked my grandma, grandma, do your peony flowers bloom so well, which indicates my aunt's happy life in the future?
Grandma smiled and nodded. She was seventy years old that year, and her grandmother sent her daughter to get married. The wrinkles on her face blossomed into flowers.
"four"
At the age of seventy-eight, grandma was seriously ill. Grandma lay on the kang without eating or drinking and said nothing. The doctor in the village told mom and uncle to prepare grandma's funeral.
None of us believe that grandma who has been healthy, optimistic and kind will be hit by that disease. We were going to send grandma to the hospital, but grandma stopped it with her only remaining consciousness. Grandma is 78 years old. She hasn't been to the hospital. She has a slight illness or something. She always prescribed some medicine or intravenous drip in the village clinic.
Because grandma stopped us, we didn't send her to the hospital after all, but invited the best doctor to treat her.
My cousins and I were in tears. We are all grandma's favorite granddaughters, and grandma loves each of us equally. Afraid grandma would hear us cry, the three of us ran to the well to wipe our tears. Although tap water is used in the village, grandma's well is still preserved. Grandma said that the steam in the well can nourish peony flowers, which is why peony flowers bloom so well.
There are many buds on the branches of Paeonia lactiflora in May, which are in bud. I don't see any signs of withering.
You two cry separately. Grandma will do well. I dried my tears and said to my two cousins.
Sister, will it? Will grandma be safe? Two cousins looked at me with tears in their eyes.
Look at this peony flower. This is grandma's favorite. Grandma has always said that peony flowers are spiritual. Now, the flower bones are full and swaying in the sun, and it can be seen that they can't wait to bloom. As long as the flowers bloom, grandma is sure to get through this. I'm sure.
Yes, sister, you are right. Grandma loves peonies. She is simply her child. We have all grown up and left her, but we all know many stories about peony, which has been with her for the longest time. Grandma will be fine. Big cousin said firmly.
Maybe it was the doctor's wonderful hand to rejuvenate, maybe our sincerity touched the sky, maybe the peony flowers bloomed with all their strength in a few days, and grandma finally survived this robbery, and she got better. Soon she can go to the fields and come to the yard to see her favorite and most beautiful peony flowers.
Today, grandma is 87 years old and still in good health. Her peony flowers bloom well every year, and her children live a happy life. The peony flower that has survived for decades is a miracle.
Therefore, I believe that peony flowers are really spiritual. They accompany Granny Hua all season, and they also accompany us day by day.