天边的晚霞
作者/王继红
女儿小时候曾经问我：“妈妈，什么叫爱情？”“爱就是不变心”。当时的我觉得自己回答得简短而圆满。今天再琢磨这个回答觉得自己浅薄了。
这是八年前，我在出诊时忍不住拍下的照片。
镜头中的她是一名上过朝鲜战场的志愿军女兵，复员后结婚和老伴恩爱平静地过了一生。我认识她时她已年过八十了。
她86岁的老伴患了帕金森氏症和老年痴呆症。既不肯去医院，也不愿意去老人院。她就天天在家里陪着老伴。以致很久都没出门了。
他们那个家并不大，也许是两人都老了没能力搞卫生，家里挺零乱的。在这样的境况下，她还要照顾病人。我佩服她，是什么力量令她能承受这一切？“没啥，我们年轻时他和他妈都对我很好。”她轻声说道，仿佛这是一件不值得提的理所当然的小事。
已经没能力做饭的她，天天叫外卖，每顿都一口一口地喂老伴。偶而老伴一犯病，吃着饭还会挥拳打她。她一边躲避着老伴的拳头，一边还拿着纸巾瞅着机会为老伴擦拭着快滴下来的哈喇子。我很为她委屈，然而她说：“他是病……”。
那一刻，我明白了什么叫做不离不弃；什么叫做忠贞不渝！
前几天，我和先生参加了个五天的短期旅行团，团员占八成都是银发一族。团里一对普通退休老人在我眼前那么真诚那么自然的地相依相伴的一幅幅画面，再次告诉我：什么是爱！
这对夫妻都有70多了，从老爷子那有点僵硬的脖子，走路较慢而且常常呈现碎步的姿态我判断他很有可能患了帕金森氏症，后来的聊天证实了我的观察。我有点不解，患这种病的人一般很少出远门，他们竟然还报团出来旅游。
旅游途中，为了跟得上大家的节奏，他俩总是提前行动。早上会尽早到餐厅吃早饭，然后去等着上车。每次的游玩活动都会比别人提前结束往集合地点赶，从没发生过要别人等他们的事情。
旅行途中，老太太对老爷子的照顾用无微不至来形容那可真是百分之百了。从休息的时候提醒他上一下洗手间。到吃饭的时候尽量给老爷子夹菜免得他起身不方便。老爷子坐得久了膝盖会不舒服，常要站一会调理一下，坐车时她就让老爷子坐靠过道的位子。两人的行李箱从来都是老太太照顾。游玩中老爷子如果累了，老太太会随时找地方陪他坐一会儿。
据我对帕金森病人的了解，他们内心对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会渐渐地自卑。
这老爷子也怪，除了行动不那么自如，谈吐说话还挺幽默。后来我得知，他退休前是一位人民教师。每当听见他那些风趣的话语，你根本就联想不到他是一位帕金森病人。我想，这老爷子有病却还能保持风趣乐观，应该是老太太的付出换来的。
一次吃饭我坐在老太太身边，“你的头发真好，没有白头发，乌黑乌黑的。”我称赞她。“哎呀！你怎么没看出来？我的脑袋做过大手术。”“啊！做过手术？是意外还是……”。我很惊讶地问道。
“脑瘤，十几年前的事了。”她大大方方地说。
这时候，我再认真地去观察她的头部，才发现她脑袋左边不是正常人那样呈流畅的弧形，而是微微有些往下凹，因为有头发的遮挡，要注意去看才会发现。那是头部做过大手术，头盖骨缺了一块造成的。天哪，她竟然经历过这么大的不幸！
这时，坐在我们对面的另一位老头，他们的一位熟人感慨地说：“当年你老公多紧张你啊”。“是啊，我感觉得到”她轻声说道。
这时老爷子没了开玩笑时的轻松，像是回忆：“那时候，我真害怕，怕她因此走了”。
……沉默，几个人的思维仿佛回到了十几年前。
“哎，都过去十几年了。你现在早就是个正常人了。”一位穿着绣花黄马褂稍年轻些的大妈，看来也是他们的熟人，有点故意的高音量打破了这个话题的沉重。
“看你照顾你先生跑前忙后的样子，你比这个年龄的人都精神。”我很认真地跟她说。“真的吗？”她瞪大了眼睛问道。
“真的。”我开始向她解释。 “大病肯定会伤人的元气，但大病也是人调养身体的机会。调养得好，会比病前身体要好。你现在身体这么好，很可能是上次病的时候调养的好！”她笑了，望着老爷子的眼神充满了幸福。
随着几天来一起游玩的接触，我得知了他俩的详情。他们结婚有40多年了，他俩的独生女儿为他们添了一子一女两个外孙。前些年多在家带孙子。现在两个孙子都上学了，他们经常报团旅游。有点遗憾的是老爷子的身体开始不那么如意了。
旅行快结束时我有意跟老太太聊了一会。“你对你先生真好！这个情况还带他出来玩。很多人都做不到的”。“我老公对我也很好的”。她语调里带着一点不服气，好像怪我不该忘了他先生也对她很好这回事。“十几年前那次患肿瘤，如果不是他的尽心照顾，我可能早就没了”。
“趁现在有我陪着，他还能出来走走看看。能看多少算多少吧。”她很直率地说。“否则，我会后悔的”。
她的话朴实得没有一个华丽的辞藻。却道出了人世间难得的真情。我觉得在这真诚的真情面前，对她说什么赞美的话都是没有色彩的。
人生的暮年，他们相依相伴，一起去看世界的各种风景。然而，他们不知道，他们自己已成了这人世间一道最亮丽的风景。他们把自己活成了一片日落前灿烂的值得欣赏令人陶醉的晚霞！这该是多少人羡慕和企盼的！
最后分手时，带着对他们的敬意我由衷而简单地说了一句：“祝你们幸福！”“也祝你们俩公婆幸福！”。她高兴地回我。
望着他们相依离去的背影，我想这才是应该给女儿的答案。
爱！并不是忠贞不渝不变心就够了。还有你作为伴侣的那份责任，那份担当。用什么样的水平完成这份担当和责任？不在于你的能力，而在于你的用心。那就是站在对方的需求去着想。
寻找伴侣被人们称为寻找另一半，这话很贴切。只有与你找到的另一半合成一体，你中有我，我中有你。你就是我，我就是你，合成一个完整的圆。才能滚出远远的未来！
年轻时，情侣们一起看日出，迎朝阳。享受人生和爱情的炫丽多彩，太常见。
然而，在人生的暮年，能相依相伴，一起送走天边最后一抹晚霞，太珍贵！因为不是毎一对有情人都能得到，不是每个人都能做到。
愿天下的有情人，都能不负真爱，都能有一道炫丽的晚霞。
浩 男
2025年2月18日21时
写于漳州—广州南高铁上
英文国际版
翻译 陈耿森 王天元
校对：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.
《读〈天边的晚霞〉有感》
作者/阳光
《天边的晚霞》这篇文章如同一幅细腻而温暖的画卷，在作者王继红的笔下缓缓展开，向我们展现了两对老年夫妻在岁月长河中相濡以沫、不离不弃的爱情故事，令人动容，也引人深思。
文中第一位志愿军女兵，在老伴患病且生活环境不佳的情况下，默默承受着一切，毫无怨言地照顾着老伴。面对老伴因病而挥来的拳头，她选择理解和包容，一句“他是病”，饱含着无尽的宽容与深情。这种爱，早已超越了激情与浪漫，而是在岁月的磨砺中沉淀下来的责任与坚守。
而另一对退休夫妻，同样令人敬佩。老爷子身患帕金森氏症，老太太却无微不至地照顾着他。他们在旅行中相互扶持，共同面对生活的挑战。尤其是当得知老太太也曾患过脑瘤，经历过生死考验，而这一切都在老爷子的尽心照顾下挺了过来，如今她又以同样的爱回报着老伴，这种爱的轮回，让人感受到了爱情的伟大力量。
作者通过这两个故事，深刻地诠释了爱情的真谛。爱情不仅仅是年轻时的花前月下、海誓山盟，更是在漫长岁月中，面对生活的艰难困苦时，彼此的陪伴、理解、支持和担当。正如作者所说：“爱！并不是忠贞不渝不变心就够了。还有你作为伴侣的那份责任，那份担当。用什么样的水平完成这份担当和责任？不在于你的能力，而在于你的用心。那就是站在对方的需求去着想。”
在这个快节奏、功利化的社会中，这样真挚而深沉的爱情显得尤为珍贵。我们常常追求物质的丰富和外在的虚荣，却忽略了爱情最本质的东西——相互的付出和陪伴。这篇文章让我重新审视自己对爱情的理解和态度，让我明白真正的爱情需要时间的考验，需要在平凡的日子里用心去经营。
同时，文中两对夫妻在暮年依然相互陪伴、共同欣赏世界的美好，也让我对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独和衰退，也可以有温暖的相依和美好的回忆。只要心中有爱，无论何时都能活出精彩，成为那一抹灿烂的晚霞。
愿我们都能在这纷繁复杂的世界中，找到那份属于自己的真挚爱情，用心去呵护，用责任去担当，与爱人携手走过人生的每一个阶段，共同迎来那片美丽的“天边的晚霞”。
作者简介
王继红 笔名：浩男，在职中央广播电视大学中文系，金融系毕业。热爱文学，用素墨淡语记下曾经的脚步。
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