In Tingting's growth process, the elderly have always been longing for her. In the year she was admitted to university, several solitary elders pooled their money which they had saved by economizing on food and clothing, and bought her a mobile phone, encouraging her to study hard. Next year, Xue Tingting will go to France for further studies, and once again the elders pooled their resources to give Tingting a big red envelope and bought her a suitcase as a gift.
Now, Xue Tingting, already in her second year of university, has spent 12 years with the elderly. Once, when the children were visiting the elders as usual, it was time to part ways. As the team leader, Xue Tingting noticed that an elderly blind grandmother had tears welling up in her eyes. The elder held Tingting's small hand and murmured, "It has been so long since my home has been this lively. Will you come again next time?" From that moment on, Xue Tingting began to realize how much the solitary elders hoped for care.
Grandma Xia trembled as she held Tingting's hand and repeatedly urged her to study hard abroad and contribute to the motherland afterward. Grandma Xia said that she would not be able to wait for the day Tingting returns. As soon as these words were spoken, Tingting's tears fell like raindrops, and eventually, the young girl hugged the elder tightly and cried loudly.
Actually, among the elders who originally paired up with Tingting, two have already passed away. This overseas study trip makes Tingting inevitably miss the elders.
In Xue Tingting's view, the elders are not as "boring" as people describe them. She told reporters that many elders are actually very interesting. A 99-year-old grandfather can say a few English words and starts by saying, "I like music," with perfect pronunciation, making everyone laugh uncontrollably. For Tingting, the elders are more like history books. "Some elders have good memories and will tell you stories about things that happened a long time ago. These stories can last for a long time."
As the time for studying abroad approaches, the ninety-year-old elder finds it hard to let go and sheds tears. Initially, five or six children regularly brought musical instruments from their school music classes to visit the elders, either performing, chatting with the elders, or cleaning their rooms. In the eyes of the solitary elders, the arrival of these "grandchildren" filled many lonely hours.
Since the fifth grade, Tingting thought about inviting the solitary elders to a New Year's Eve dinner. At that time, the young Tingting had no capabilities, but fortunately, she received support from various aspects of her family. With the help of her grandmother, who was an active member of the neighborhood committee, and financial assistance from her parents, Tingting invited 13 elders to celebrate the New Year together. Originally, it was just to create a festive atmosphere, but unexpectedly, the first New Year's Eve dinner went exceptionally well, and the laughter of the elders made Tingting even more determined to continue the idea of the New Year's Eve dinner.
After graduating from elementary school, the team members dispersed, but Xue Tingting continued alone. Besides the regular New Year's Eve dinners each year, she visited the elders during festivals or when they were unwell. In her third year of junior high school, with the help of her school, Xue Tingting used her 5000 yuan scholarship to establish the "Tingting Elderly Care Fund." Soon after, she also formed the "Tingting Elderly Care Service Team" to assist the paired-up elders.
Just like many others experienced, in the third grade of elementary school, Xue Tingting and some classmates established the "Rocket Team" to promote progress. The "Rocket Team" served a special group: a cluster of solitary elders living in the Jing'an Temple Street area.
During the interview break, Xue Tingting visited Grandma Xia, with whom she had the closest relationship. Grandma Xia is already 96 years old. A few years ago, her companion passed away, and now she lives alone in a room less than ten square meters. Every time she sees Tingting, Grandma Xia hugs her, kisses her, and says, "Tingting is my good granddaughter."
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