天邊的晚霞
作者/王繼紅
女兒小時候曾經(jīng)問我：“媽媽，什么叫愛情？”“愛就是不變心”。當(dāng)時的我覺得自己回答得簡短而圓滿。今天再琢磨這個回答覺得自己淺薄了。
這是八年前，我在出診時忍不住拍下的照片。
鏡頭中的她是一名上過朝鮮戰(zhàn)場的志愿軍女兵，復(fù)員后結(jié)婚和老伴恩愛平靜地過了一生。我認(rèn)識她時她已年過八十了。
她86歲的老伴患了帕金森氏癥和老年癡呆癥。既不肯去醫(yī)院，也不愿意去老人院。她就天天在家里陪著老伴。以致很久都沒出門了。
他們那個家并不大，也許是兩人都老了沒能力搞衛(wèi)生，家里挺零亂的。在這樣的境況下，她還要照顧病人。我佩服她，是什么力量令她能承受這一切？“沒啥，我們年輕時他和他媽都對我很好。”她輕聲說道，仿佛這是一件不值得提的理所當(dāng)然的小事。
已經(jīng)沒能力做飯的她，天天叫外賣，每頓都一口一口地喂老伴。偶而老伴一犯病，吃著飯還會揮拳打她。她一邊躲避著老伴的拳頭，一邊還拿著紙巾瞅著機(jī)會為老伴擦拭著快滴下來的哈喇子。我很為她委屈，然而她說：“他是病……”。
那一刻，我明白了什么叫做不離不棄；什么叫做忠貞不渝！
前幾天，我和先生參加了個五天的短期旅行團(tuán)，團(tuán)員占八成都是銀發(fā)一族。團(tuán)里一對普通退休老人在我眼前那么真誠那么自然的地相依相伴的一幅幅畫面，再次告訴我：什么是愛！
這對夫妻都有70多了，從老爺子那有點(diǎn)僵硬的脖子，走路較慢而且常常呈現(xiàn)碎步的姿態(tài)我判斷他很有可能患了帕金森氏癥，后來的聊天證實(shí)了我的觀察。我有點(diǎn)不解，患這種病的人一般很少出遠(yuǎn)門，他們竟然還報團(tuán)出來旅游。
旅游途中，為了跟得上大家的節(jié)奏，他倆總是提前行動。早上會盡早到餐廳吃早飯，然后去等著上車。每次的游玩活動都會比別人提前結(jié)束往集合地點(diǎn)趕，從沒發(fā)生過要別人等他們的事情。
旅行途中，老太太對老爺子的照顧用無微不至來形容那可真是百分之百了。從休息的時候提醒他上一下洗手間。到吃飯的時候盡量給老爺子夾菜免得他起身不方便。老爺子坐得久了膝蓋會不舒服，常要站一會調(diào)理一下，坐車時她就讓老爺子坐靠過道的位子。兩人的行李箱從來都是老太太照顧。游玩中老爺子如果累了，老太太會隨時找地方陪他坐一會兒。
據(jù)我對帕金森病人的了解，他們內(nèi)心對自己想做而做不到的事是很清楚的，所以九成帕金森病人都會漸漸地自卑。
這老爺子也怪，除了行動不那么自如，談吐說話還挺幽默。后來我得知，他退休前是一位人民教師。每當(dāng)聽見他那些風(fēng)趣的話語，你根本就聯(lián)想不到他是一位帕金森病人。我想，這老爺子有病卻還能保持風(fēng)趣樂觀，應(yīng)該是老太太的付出換來的。
一次吃飯我坐在老太太身邊，“你的頭發(fā)真好，沒有白頭發(fā)，烏黑烏黑的?！蔽曳Q贊她?！鞍パ?！你怎么沒看出來？我的腦袋做過大手術(shù)?！薄鞍?！做過手術(shù)？是意外還是……”。我很驚訝地問道。
“腦瘤，十幾年前的事了。”她大大方方地說。
這時候，我再認(rèn)真地去觀察她的頭部，才發(fā)現(xiàn)她腦袋左邊不是正常人那樣呈流暢的弧形，而是微微有些往下凹，因?yàn)橛蓄^發(fā)的遮擋，要注意去看才會發(fā)現(xiàn)。那是頭部做過大手術(shù)，頭蓋骨缺了一塊造成的。天哪，她竟然經(jīng)歷過這么大的不幸！
這時，坐在我們對面的另一位老頭，他們的一位熟人感慨地說：“當(dāng)年你老公多緊張你啊”。“是啊，我感覺得到”她輕聲說道。
這時老爺子沒了開玩笑時的輕松，像是回憶：“那時候，我真害怕，怕她因此走了”。
……沉默，幾個人的思維仿佛回到了十幾年前。
“哎，都過去十幾年了。你現(xiàn)在早就是個正常人了?！币晃淮┲C花黃馬褂稍年輕些的大媽，看來也是他們的熟人，有點(diǎn)故意的高音量打破了這個話題的沉重。
“看你照顧你先生跑前忙后的樣子，你比這個年齡的人都精神?！蔽液苷J(rèn)真地跟她說。“真的嗎？”她瞪大了眼睛問道。
“真的?！蔽议_始向她解釋。 “大病肯定會傷人的元?dú)?，但大病也是人調(diào)養(yǎng)身體的機(jī)會。調(diào)養(yǎng)得好，會比病前身體要好。你現(xiàn)在身體這么好，很可能是上次病的時候調(diào)養(yǎng)的好！”她笑了，望著老爺子的眼神充滿了幸福。
隨著幾天來一起游玩的接觸，我得知了他倆的詳情。他們結(jié)婚有40多年了，他倆的獨(dú)生女兒為他們添了一子一女兩個外孫。前些年多在家?guī)O子。現(xiàn)在兩個孫子都上學(xué)了，他們經(jīng)常報團(tuán)旅游。有點(diǎn)遺憾的是老爺子的身體開始不那么如意了。
旅行快結(jié)束時我有意跟老太太聊了一會?！澳銓δ阆壬婧?！這個情況還帶他出來玩。很多人都做不到的”?！拔依瞎珜ξ乙埠芎玫摹薄ＫZ調(diào)里帶著一點(diǎn)不服氣，好像怪我不該忘了他先生也對她很好這回事?！笆畮啄昵澳谴位寄[瘤，如果不是他的盡心照顧，我可能早就沒了”。
“趁現(xiàn)在有我陪著，他還能出來走走看看。能看多少算多少吧。”她很直率地說。“否則，我會后悔的”。
她的話樸實(shí)得沒有一個華麗的辭藻。卻道出了人世間難得的真情。我覺得在這真誠的真情面前，對她說什么贊美的話都是沒有色彩的。
人生的暮年，他們相依相伴，一起去看世界的各種風(fēng)景。然而，他們不知道，他們自己已成了這人世間一道最亮麗的風(fēng)景。他們把自己活成了一片日落前燦爛的值得欣賞令人陶醉的晚霞！這該是多少人羨慕和企盼的！
最后分手時，帶著對他們的敬意我由衷而簡單地說了一句：“祝你們幸福！”“也祝你們倆公婆幸福！”。她高興地回我。
望著他們相依離去的背影，我想這才是應(yīng)該給女兒的答案。
愛！并不是忠貞不渝不變心就夠了。還有你作為伴侶的那份責(zé)任，那份擔(dān)當(dāng)。用什么樣的水平完成這份擔(dān)當(dāng)和責(zé)任？不在于你的能力，而在于你的用心。那就是站在對方的需求去著想。
尋找伴侶被人們稱為尋找另一半，這話很貼切。只有與你找到的另一半合成一體，你中有我，我中有你。你就是我，我就是你，合成一個完整的圓。才能滾出遠(yuǎn)遠(yuǎn)的未來！
年輕時，情侶們一起看日出，迎朝陽。享受人生和愛情的炫麗多彩，太常見。
然而，在人生的暮年，能相依相伴，一起送走天邊最后一抹晚霞，太珍貴！因?yàn)椴皇菤耙粚τ星槿硕寄艿玫?，不是每個人都能做到。
愿天下的有情人，都能不負(fù)真愛，都能有一道炫麗的晚霞。
浩 男
2025年2月18日21時
寫于漳州—廣州南高鐵上
英文國際版
翻譯 陳耿森 王天元
校對：王天元
The Glorious Sunset at the Horizon
By Wang Jihong
When my daughter was little, she
once asked, “Mom, what is love?” I
replied,“Love is staying true.” At that
moment, I believed my answer was
both concise andcomplete. Yet, today,
upon further reflection, I realize how
shallow that responsetruly was.
Eight years ago, during one of my
medical rounds, I couldn’t help but
capture aphotograph.
In the picture, she appeared as a
former volunteer soldier who had
once foughton the Korean battlefield.
After her discharge, she married and
lived a quietly lovinglife with her
husband. By the time I met her, she
was well into her eighties.
Her 86-year-old husband suffered
from Parkinson’s disease and
dementia.
Refusing to go to the hospital or a
nursing home, she stayed at home
with him everyday. For a long time,
she rarely stepped outside.
Their modest home was
cluttered—perhaps because neither of
them had theenergy to tidy it up—
giving an impression of wanting to
leave. Yet in suchcircumstances, she
still cared for her ailing husband. I
admired her deeply. What kindof
strength enabled her to endure all of
this? With a gentle voice, she replied,
“Oh
,when we were young, both he
and his mother treated me so well.” It
was as if suchdevotion was nothing
out of the ordinary.
Unable to cook for herself any
longer, she ordered takeout every day
and fedher husband bite by bite.
Occasionally, when her husband had
an outburst during hisepisodes—
punching her even as he ate—she
dodged his blows, ever watchful for a
moment to wipe away the drool
threatening to fall. I felt a surge of
sorrow for her,yet she simply said,
“He’s ill
…
”
In that moment, I truly
understood what it means to stand by
someoneunwaveringly, to be loyal
beyond measure.
But is steadfast loyalty in love
really the highest ideal in the realm of
humanemotions?
A few days ago, my husband and I
joined a five-day group tour, where
nearlyeighty percent of the
participants were in their silver years. I
was deeply moved bythe sincere and
natural displays of companionship
shared by an ordinary retiredcouple.
Their actions told me what the highest
form of love truly is.
Both in their seventies, from his
slightly stiff neck, his slow gait, and the
way heshuffled with short steps, I
suspected the gentleman might be
suffering fromParkinson’s disease—
and later, our conversation confirmed
my observation. I wassomewhat
puzzled: People afflicted with such an
illness rarely travel far, yet herethey
were, joining a tour group.
Throughout the trip, to keep pace
with the group, they would set out
early—arriving at the restaurant for
breakfast well in advance, waiting for
the buswithout ever making others
wait for them. During every activity,
the couple wouldfinish ahead of time
to reconvene with the group.
The care the lady lavished upon
her husband was nothing short of
meticulous.
From gently reminding him to use the
restroom during breaks, to delicately
sharingdishes at mealtime so he
wouldn’t have to get up, and even
ensuring that he sat bythe aisle on the
bus because his knees ached from
prolonged sitting. She even tookcare
of both their luggage. Whenever he
grew weary during the excursions, she
would promptly find a place for him to
sit.
According to what I know about
Parkinson’s patients, unlike others with
age-related brain decline, they are
painfully aware of what they can no
longer do,and most end up feeling a
deep sense of inadequacy.
Yet this gentleman was different.
Despite his reduced mobility, his witty
conversation revealed a humorous
spirit. I later learned that he had been
a teacherbefore retiring. When he
spoke with such charm, it was hard to
imagine he wasbattling Parkinson’s. I
believe his ability to maintain a
humorous and optimisticoutlook, even
with his illness, was a gift earned
through his wife’s devoted care.
At one meal, sitting beside the
lady, I commented, “Your hair is so
beautiful—sorich and dark, not a hint
of gray.”
“Oh
, you haven
’t noticed?” she
replied, “My head had major surgery.”
“Really? Surgery? Was it an
accident … ?” I asked in astonishment.
“Brain tumor
—over a decade
ago,” she said matter-of-factly.
It was then that I took a closer
look at her head. I noticed that her left
templedid not have the usual smooth
curve; instead, it was slightly sunken—
a detail onlyvisible beneath the
curtain of her hair. To think, she had
survived such a graveordeal!
At that moment, an elderly
gentleman seated opposite us, a
familiar friend,remarked, “I remember
how nervous your husband used to be
about you back then.”“Yes, I could feel
it,” she softly replied.
Suddenly, the lighthearted banter
from the old man faded into a solemn
reminiscence: “At that time, I was truly
afraid … Afraid of losing her.”
Silence fell, as if everyone’s
thoughts had drifted back over those
long-ago years.
Then, a slightly younger older
woman—dressed in a yellow jacket
withembroidered patterns—
deliberately raised her voice to break
the weighty mood,“Oh, that was all so
long ago. You’re practically a normal
person now!”
I looked at her intently and said,
“Seeing how you care for your
husband withsuch vigor, you seem
even more spirited than many younger
folks.”
“Really?” she asked
, eyes wide.
“Absolutely
,
” I began to explain
.
“Serious illness can sap one’s vitality
,
but it alsooffers a chance to nurture
the body. If nurtured well, one can
emerge healthier thanbefore. Given
how well you are now, I’m convinced
that careful nurturing during his
sickness made all the difference.” She
smiled, her eyes reflecting gratitude
andhappiness as she gazed at her
husband.
Over the next few days, I learned
more about them. Married for over
fortyyears, their only daughter had
blessed them with two grandchildren.
In earlier years,they often stayed
home to care for their grandchild, but
now both grandchildrenwere in school,
and they frequently joined tour
groups. It was a pity, though—the
husband’s health was beginning to
falter.
Toward the end of the trip, I
deliberately struck up another
conversation withthe lady. “You are
so good to your husband, even taking
him out on trips like these.Many
wouldn’t be able to manage that,” I
remarked.
“My husband is very good to me
as well,” she retorted with a trace of
playfulindignation, as if to say I
shouldn’t overlook his care for me. “
Had it not been for hisdedicated care
during that bout of cancer over a
decade ago, I might not be heretoday.”
“Now that I’m with him
, he still
gets to see the world. We have to
make themost of every moment,” she
said plainly. “Otherwise, I’d regret it.”
Her words were simple, devoid of
ornate language, yet they revealed a
rare andgenuine affection. In the face
of such heartfelt sincerity, any praise I
offered seemedpale and inadequate.
In the twilight of their lives, as
they leaned on each other and
journeyed towitness the myriad
landscapes of the world, they had no
inkling that they hadbecome the most
dazzling sight—a sunset of radiant
hues at the very end of the day.How
enviable and coveted that is, a
treasure so rare!
As we parted ways, I sincerely and
simply said, “Wishing you both
happiness!”
“Wishing happiness to you and your
husband as well!” she cheerfully
replied.
Watching their backs as they
slowly disappeared into the distance, I
realizedthis is the answer I ought to
give my daughter.
Love is not merely about
unwavering loyalty or an unchanging
heart. It is alsoabout the responsibility
and commitment you bear as a
partner. The level at which
you fulfill that commitment is not
determined by your ability but by the
sincerity ofyour care—by considering
your partner’s needs as your own.
They say finding a partner is like
searching for one’s other half. Only
when youmerge into one complete
whole—where I exist within you, and
you within me—canyou truly roll
together into a bright future.
In youth, couples watch the
sunrise together, greeting the morning
with vibrantenergy. That is too
common.
But in the autumn of life, to lean
on each other and see off the last
brillianthues of the day is
extraordinarily precious—because not
every pair of lovers canachieve it.
May all lovers cherish their true
affection, and may every heart witness
a sunsetas brilliant as this one.
Hao Nan
Written on the High-Speed Train from
Zhangzhou to Guangzhou South
February 18, 2025, 21:00
Author’s Bio:
Wang Jihong, pen name Hao Nan,
graduated from the Chinese and
Finance
Departments of the Open University of
China.
A lover of literature, she captures
life’s fleeting moments with humble
ink.
《讀〈天邊的晚霞〉有感》
作者/陽光
《天邊的晚霞》這篇文章如同一幅細(xì)膩而溫暖的畫卷，在作者王繼紅的筆下緩緩展開，向我們展現(xiàn)了兩對老年夫妻在歲月長河中相濡以沫、不離不棄的愛情故事，令人動容，也引人深思。
文中第一位志愿軍女兵，在老伴患病且生活環(huán)境不佳的情況下，默默承受著一切，毫無怨言地照顧著老伴。面對老伴因病而揮來的拳頭，她選擇理解和包容，一句“他是病”，飽含著無盡的寬容與深情。這種愛，早已超越了激情與浪漫，而是在歲月的磨礪中沉淀下來的責(zé)任與堅守。
而另一對退休夫妻，同樣令人敬佩。老爺子身患帕金森氏癥，老太太卻無微不至地照顧著他。他們在旅行中相互扶持，共同面對生活的挑戰(zhàn)。尤其是當(dāng)?shù)弥咸苍歼^腦瘤，經(jīng)歷過生死考驗(yàn)，而這一切都在老爺子的盡心照顧下挺了過來，如今她又以同樣的愛回報著老伴，這種愛的輪回，讓人感受到了愛情的偉大力量。
作者通過這兩個故事，深刻地詮釋了愛情的真諦。愛情不僅僅是年輕時的花前月下、海誓山盟，更是在漫長歲月中，面對生活的艱難困苦時，彼此的陪伴、理解、支持和擔(dān)當(dāng)。正如作者所說：“愛！并不是忠貞不渝不變心就夠了。還有你作為伴侶的那份責(zé)任，那份擔(dān)當(dāng)。用什么樣的水平完成這份擔(dān)當(dāng)和責(zé)任？不在于你的能力，而在于你的用心。那就是站在對方的需求去著想。”
在這個快節(jié)奏、功利化的社會中，這樣真摯而深沉的愛情顯得尤為珍貴。我們常常追求物質(zhì)的豐富和外在的虛榮，卻忽略了愛情最本質(zhì)的東西——相互的付出和陪伴。這篇文章讓我重新審視自己對愛情的理解和態(tài)度，讓我明白真正的愛情需要時間的考驗(yàn)，需要在平凡的日子里用心去經(jīng)營。
同時，文中兩對夫妻在暮年依然相互陪伴、共同欣賞世界的美好，也讓我對人生的晚年生活有了新的期待和感悟。人生的暮年并非只有孤獨(dú)和衰退，也可以有溫暖的相依和美好的回憶。只要心中有愛，無論何時都能活出精彩，成為那一抹燦爛的晚霞。
愿我們都能在這紛繁復(fù)雜的世界中，找到那份屬于自己的真摯愛情，用心去呵護(hù)，用責(zé)任去擔(dān)當(dāng)，與愛人攜手走過人生的每一個階段，共同迎來那片美麗的“天邊的晚霞”。
作者簡介
王繼紅 筆名：浩男，在職中央廣播電視大學(xué)中文系，金融系畢業(yè)。熱愛文學(xué)，用素墨淡語記下曾經(jīng)的腳步。
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