"Looking for grandpa (cemetery) is not only the last wish of dad and grandma. No matter how long or how much energy it takes, we three sisters will find it."
html September 22nd, the autumn air is clear and cool. In an ordinary residential community in the southeast corner of Xi'an, several chrysanthemums bloomed in the corner. In Hao Xiaofang's simple and tidy home, she talked to the reporter of the Huashang Daily about the fact that the four mothers and grandchildren were relaying to find the martyr's grandfather...
Childhood doubts
Three sisters have no parents since childhood and have never seen their grandfather
nor have they seen their grandfather
Hao Xiaofang is 46 years old this year. Her hometown is in Qingjian County, Yulin City, Shaanxi Province. She has a cheerful personality and is straightforward. She said that among the three sisters, she is the third, and her two sisters were raised by grandma. For them, father and mother are more of a symbol and a concept. Especially Hao Xiaofang, except for seeing her parents in the photo, she has no impression of her parents.
Hao Xiaofang's grandmother is from Suide County, Yulin City. She was born in a wealthy family and is well-educated and polite.
Hao Xiaofang clearly remembered that once she was sick when she was a child, her grandmother was worried and hugged her to see a doctor overnight. The doctor said it was just a common cold, and grandma felt relieved. It was already late at night when Hao Xiaofang shouted to eat tomato and egg noodles . Grandma did it without saying a word. When grandma delivered the fragrant tomato and egg noodles to Hao Xiaofang, Hao Xiaofang felt that she was the happiest person in the world.
"When I was a child, my three sisters' schoolbags were sewn with the scraps from cut fabrics, and were made up of diamonds, rectangles, squares, etc., so beautiful, and the classmates were envious." When talking about grandma, Hao Xiaofang was energetic, and his words were full of deep love and respect. "Grandma taught us to be upright, kind, and filial, and told us to think from the perspective of everything and not to conflict with others..."
As soon as my father, mother and grandpa were mentioned, Hao Xiaofang's eyes turned red in an instant, and tears immediately poured out. "You don't know how hard it is for children without fathers and mothers to be in the countryside." Hao Xiaofang recalled that when she was a child, whenever someone said that the three sisters had no fathers and mothers, their self-esteem was very hit. The only thing they can do is to go home crying and ask grandma for their father and mother. At this time, except for secretly wiping away tears, grandma always tried every means to make delicious food for them to comfort them.
After Hao Xiaofang grew up a little, her grandmother told them that their father had thick eyebrows, big eyes, tall and handsome, and knew mechanical technology. He was responsible for diesel engine management in the village. Their mother is very beautiful, kind and gentle. "Grandma said that when my father and mother were alive, they loved us very much. At that time, food was short of food, and many children were not full and were skinny. In order to grow up healthily, my parents often gave us small foods - we ate steamed buns, and my parents ate steamed buns."
One day in June 1976, Hao Xiaofang's father and mother unfortunately died of a landslide while building a dam in the village. At that time, Hao Xiaofang's father was 28 years old and his mother was 25 years old. The eldest was 5 and a half years old and the youngest was only 9 months old. "Grandma said that if it weren't for the loud noise of the diesel engine when it was working, dad and mom would probably have escaped." Having said this, Hao Xiaofang couldn't help crying.
Although there is no fatherly love and motherly love, grandma gave them all her love.
The problem of parents was solved, and the three sisters had a new problem: Why do other children have grandma and grandpa, but they don’t?
Facing this problem, grandma is unwilling to say more. Later, a relative quietly told them that grandpa was the eternal pain in his heart, and told them not to ask for it first, and when the time is right, grandma would naturally say it. The sensible three sisters no longer mention this topic.
Young proud
Grandpa died in the War of Liberation
was named a revolutionary martyr
Under the careful care of grandma, the three sisters Hao Xiaofang grew up day by day, and then grandma told the granddaughters about their grandfather's participation in the revolutionary sacrifice.
Grandma said that her grandfather is the same age as her, both born in 1930, and is the eldest among the three brothers, hardworking and kind.In early 1947, after being matched by a matchmaker, two families 50 miles apart got married for them. Before getting engaged, grandma's uncle also pretended to be a pig-collecting vendor to visit grandpa's house. "Grandma said that her uncle found that my grandfather was not only handsome, but also smart, and he was very decent in his work and speaking. He was very satisfied at that time." Hao Xiaofang said that when grandma recalled his grandfather's past, a happy smile would appear on her face.
In June 1947, Hao Xiaofang's grandfather and grandmother held a grand wedding in accordance with the customs at that time. "Grandma married in a sedan chair. On the way, I heard a child praising the groom for being pretty. Grandma was very curious, so she secretly opened the veil, gently pulled the curtain of the sedan chair, and quickly glanced at her grandfather: big eyes, double eyelids, separate heads, tall and tall, and she is really handsome." That night, grandma said to her grandfather, "People say you are good-looking, but I was worried that you wouldn't look down on me after hearing this." Grandpa said, "What do you want to do if you want so much? I think you are good everywhere, have a good body, and have a good walking."
After marriage, grandpa and grandma were very loving. When the mountain fruits are ripe, my grandfather will pick sand fruits, sour jujubes, , apricots and other fruits for my grandmother every time I go up the mountain to work. Grandma doesn't like to eat too sour fruits, so grandpa will first try the mountain fruits in different places. He remembers them all in his heart, and specializes in picking sweet ones to take them home for grandma to eat.
Grandma said that grandpa is skillful and can do any job. The baskets, reed mats and furniture at home are made by grandpa themselves, which are beautiful and sturdy.
In July 1947, the Liberation War entered the strategic offensive stage. In September, the People's Liberation Army troops came to the village, and my grandfather resolutely joined the army. Although we were only three months old at that time, and it was during the newlyweds, the enlightened grandmother firmly supported her grandfather in joining the army. She said that only when the whole of China is liberated can the people live a good life. A few days before my grandfather left, he rushed to my grandmother's house to help dig potatoes. After digging the potatoes and stacking them, grandpa said to grandma: "Don't worry, parents, as long as I am here, you won't be afraid that no one will do your job."
On the day of grandpa's departure, grandma got up early and made a bowl of hand-rolled noodles for grandpa. Grandpa said, 'No one feels sorry for you when I leave, you can eat. ’Grandma said: ‘You eat, I don’t know when you will come back when you leave. ’The two of you pushed me, and I asked you to go back and forth for dozens of minutes. The noodles became cold and no one ate them in the end.
Seeing that it was about to go out, grandpa stuttered and said to grandma, "Can I take the soap you dowry to the army to wash my hands and face?" grandma was stunned for a moment and said, "That was my parents' company. If you take it away, no one will buy it for me." But then I thought, grandpa didn't know when it would be possible to come back when he left, so he said, "Then you just said it right, I can't take it." Grandma said several times and asked grandpa to bring the soap, but grandpa didn't even say it. Grandma later said that this piece of soap made her regret the rest of her life.
Before leaving, grandpa smiled and said to grandma, "Don't worry, I will definitely go home safely on the day of victory."
In February 1948, grandma received a long-awaited letter from home. In the letter, my grandfather said that the troops fought to Luochuan County , and the battle was very fierce. When the battle of Wazi Street in Huanglong County was won, they would go to Baoji , so that grandma would take care of her health, take good care of her upcoming child, and wait for him to return home successfully.
In June 1948, Hao Xiaofang's father Hao Jianxin was born, with his nickname Hao Shengli. "The name grandma gave her father has a special meaning. 'Kanxin' means building a new China. 'Victory' means grandma hopes that grandpa will go home to reunite after winning the battle."
After the end of the Liberation War, seeing other soldiers returning home to reunite with their relatives, grandma has been waiting for her husband to come back at the entrance of the village. Sometimes I waited for a whole day, but I just didn’t wait for my grandfather’s news. Until one day in 1950, the army came and said that grandpa unfortunately died in a battle in 1948. After hearing this, my grandmother cried from the entrance of the village to her home... Soon after, my grandfather was rated as a martyr. Relying on the state’s pension and the help of relatives, grandma raises her son alone and lives a hard life.
After listening to grandma's story, the three sisters Hao Xiaofang were very proud to have such a grandfather.
Adult search for relatives
Grandma and grandchildren relay to find grandpa’s cemetery 72 years
Finally found the monument
Hao Xiaofang said that September 17, 1947 was the day when grandpa joined the army, and grandma remembered this day for the rest of her life. "Grandma has always been pretending to be grandpa in her heart. As time goes by, her longing for grandpa is increasing day by day." Hao Xiaofang clearly remembers that during her raising them, she woke up from her dreams by calling her grandpa's name on many nights. She asked her grandma what was wrong, and her grandma said that her grandma had a dream for her. The three sisters knew that grandma missed grandpa.
Since learning about grandpa’s deeds, grandma often told her three granddaughters that grandpa was brave and kind, and was the hero of the whole family. If it weren't for the heroic sacrifice of grandpa and comrades on the battlefield, they wouldn't have had their happy life today. The three sisters also admire grandpa from the bottom of their hearts.
Where was Grandpa buried after his death in the War of Liberation? His comrades back then did not know. Hao Xiaofang said that from the day when my grandfather died, grandma tried every means to inquire about the place where his grandfather was buried. Unfortunately, there was no news.
Under the careful care of my grandmother, the three sisters of the Hao family grew up healthily, got married one after another and came to work in Xi'an. "Grandma is very good to us, and we love grandma very much." Hao Xiaofang said that when she got her first month's salary, she specially bought a pair of satin shoes for her grandma. Grandma was very happy and praised her granddaughter for being filial. The same goes for the two sisters. As long as they get their salary, they will buy clothes and gifts for their grandma.
Seeing grandma getting older day by day, the idea of finding grandpa’s burial place is getting stronger and stronger. The three granddaughters were anxious in their eyes and decided to help grandma find grandpa’s burial place. "For more than ten years, we have been to many places and contacted many departments. Because time has passed, there has been no news."
A few years ago, the three sisters saw a CCTV program " Waiting for Me " and contacted the column group with the idea of giving it a try. After registering the relevant information, the column group asked them to wait for news at home.
September 22, 2021, it was a heart-wrenching day for the three sisters of Hao Xiaofang - on this day, their 91-year-old grandmother passed away regretfully. "When my grandma was seriously ill, we told us to find my grandfather's grave, and after finding it, we must tell her in front of her grave. Grandma also asked us to hold a salvage of loess from my grandfather's grave and put it next to her grave, which was considered to be a joint burial with my grandfather."
"Grandma's life is too difficult. I have been waiting for my grandfather for my whole life, remembering my grandfather for my whole life, and talking about my grandfather for my whole life." At this point, Hao Xiaofang burst into tears. She said that grandma's life was too hard. First, her grandfather died on the battlefield, and then her parents died in the line of duty. These blows would definitely not be able to bear on ordinary people, but the strong grandmother gritted her teeth and survived and raised the three sisters with great difficulty.
After grandma passed away, Hao Xiaofang and his three sisters accelerated their pace of finding their grandfather's burial place. Because this is not only grandma's last wish and father's last wish, but also their greatest wish.
Through the efforts of CCTV's "Waiting for Me" column team and relevant departments, in August this year, CCTV's "Waiting for Me" column team told the Hao sisters in Jinan, Shandong that the staff found the monument of their grandfather in the Qingjian Martyrs Cemetery.
"Your grandfather is Hao Yongdeng. He was born in 1930. He is a Communist Party member and correspondent. He died in 1948 in the War of Liberation. He was only 18 years old when he died." Hearing the staff's introduction, Hao Xiaofang and his elder sister burst into tears and burst into tears. They immediately knelt on the ground to express their gratitude to the staff.
The next day, Hao Xiaofang and his elder sister (the second sister is sick) rushed back to Qingjian Martyrs Cemetery from Jinan, Shandong to worship their grandfather. Before the worship, the two sisters specially made a bowl of noodles for their grandfather, bought a piece of soap, and placed it in front of their grandfather's tombstone.
"Grandpa, we are your granddaughter, I see you coming. You and your comrades sacrificed heroically for the cause of liberation of the motherland. The motherland will not forget you, and your family will not forget you. Today's good days were exchanged for your life, and you did not sacrifice in vain..." Kneeling in front of the grandfather's monument, Hao Xiaofang and his sister were mixed with emotion.
Hao Xiaofang said that although what was found this time was only a monument to my grandfather and the real cemetery had not been found yet, it was enough to show the importance the Party and the government attached to the revolutionary martyrs.With this monument, grandpa's soul will have a place to be placed and will no longer be lonely.
In the future, it plans to
Regularly worship grandparents, parents,
will also educate children well
Hao Xiaofang said that children who grow up under the care and care of their parents cannot feel the pain of losing their parents. "My father had no father as soon as he was born. We lost our father and mother since we were young. I can understand my father's pain and mood in childhood. I feel sorry for my father and my grandma." At the end of the interview, Hao Xiaofang told reporters that every family is similar to each family, and every family is different from that of unfortunate families, but love is everything. They will regularly worship their grandparents, parents, and pass on this love. It will also educate children well and have love in their hearts.
Huashang Daily reporter Chen Youmou
Source: Huashang Daily
