My memory of my grandfather, my Waigong, is hazy. Since I was young, I have been hearing a lot about him, yet, meeting him face to face has been less than ten times. This winter, I decided to go meet my Waigong. I believe I am old enough to remember about him this time.
“Thin,” was my first impression of Waigong. It is obvious that the illness has afflicted him for the last few years. What impressed me was that even though he has retired for twenty years, his old subordinates still visit him very often. People say he was an outstanding entrepreneur and leader; cultivated countless talents and changed countless people’s lives. Whether people respect or hate him, all cannot but admire him, not only because of competence he demonstratesthe way he behaves and deals with affairs. Not going to lie, even his eighties, it is hard to hide his attractiveness and easy-going nature.
The apartment Waigong lives in locks at 8 pm. Everyone knows no one can persuade the guard to unlock the gate after 8 pm. There was a time I went there past 8 pm and begged the guard to open the gate for me; he stared at me for five seconds and said no. He was adamant. I did not give up either. I said sorry to my dear Waigong in my heart and stared back at the guard and said; “ I am XX’s granddaughter.” When the guard heard Waigong’s name, his attitude shifted in 0.1 seconds and opened the gate for me with no hesitation. “Wow,” I thought. This incident proved that Waigong really gives a good impression to everyone, not only to those who are in high power, but also to those ordinary people who we may not pay much attention to.
Waigong is not a person who shows love outwardly. When I met him, he only said; “Hello. Have a seat,” - the voice was calm, with no excitement considering he was seeing me for the first time after so many years. He does not act like other grandparents. First few days, I thought he does not care about me at all. However, on the last day, Waigong, despite his reserved personality coupled with his hindering illness, he chatted with me for an hour as best as he could. Because he saw me struggling, he gave me the best advice I could get, told me about his life story, and pointed out my shortcomings while looking straight into my eyes. When I sighed, he said, “do not sigh” in a stern voice. Because of chatting with me, he did not even take the afternoon nap which he must take every day. When my Mom got back and asked him why didn’t he take the nap, he said he was reading the newspaper and did not mention anything about me. I said to my Mom before she left the house again that I want some snacks. Waigong heard that, did not say anything, but went to the kitchen for five minutes, looked around if there were any snacks. All those details showed how much Waigong cares about and loves me.
In a room alone with Waigong, him reading the newspaper, me reading the book, I felt the warmth I never had before. Waigong makes me feel safe in a way no one else can by just being by my side. Seeing Waigong afflicted by the illness really breaks my heart. I wish a miracle that cures his illness will happen one day. I want to listen to him talking to me, teaching me more of what he got, even ten years later. Not the closest, but the dearest person, Waigong, is whom I admire and love.
“Thin,” was my first impression of Waigong. It is obvious that the illness has afflicted him for the last few years. What impressed me was that even though he has retired for twenty years, his old subordinates still visit him very often. People say he was an outstanding entrepreneur and leader; cultivated countless talents and changed countless people’s lives. Whether people respect or hate him, all cannot but admire him, not only because of competence he demonstratesthe way he behaves and deals with affairs. Not going to lie, even his eighties, it is hard to hide his attractiveness and easy-going nature.
The apartment Waigong lives in locks at 8 pm. Everyone knows no one can persuade the guard to unlock the gate after 8 pm. There was a time I went there past 8 pm and begged the guard to open the gate for me; he stared at me for five seconds and said no. He was adamant. I did not give up either. I said sorry to my dear Waigong in my heart and stared back at the guard and said; “ I am XX’s granddaughter.” When the guard heard Waigong’s name, his attitude shifted in 0.1 seconds and opened the gate for me with no hesitation. “Wow,” I thought. This incident proved that Waigong really gives a good impression to everyone, not only to those who are in high power, but also to those ordinary people who we may not pay much attention to.
Waigong is not a person who shows love outwardly. When I met him, he only said; “Hello. Have a seat,” - the voice was calm, with no excitement considering he was seeing me for the first time after so many years. He does not act like other grandparents. First few days, I thought he does not care about me at all. However, on the last day, Waigong, despite his reserved personality coupled with his hindering illness, he chatted with me for an hour as best as he could. Because he saw me struggling, he gave me the best advice I could get, told me about his life story, and pointed out my shortcomings while looking straight into my eyes. When I sighed, he said, “do not sigh” in a stern voice. Because of chatting with me, he did not even take the afternoon nap which he must take every day. When my Mom got back and asked him why didn’t he take the nap, he said he was reading the newspaper and did not mention anything about me. I said to my Mom before she left the house again that I want some snacks. Waigong heard that, did not say anything, but went to the kitchen for five minutes, looked around if there were any snacks. All those details showed how much Waigong cares about and loves me.
In a room alone with Waigong, him reading the newspaper, me reading the book, I felt the warmth I never had before. Waigong makes me feel safe in a way no one else can by just being by my side. Seeing Waigong afflicted by the illness really breaks my heart. I wish a miracle that cures his illness will happen one day. I want to listen to him talking to me, teaching me more of what he got, even ten years later. Not the closest, but the dearest person, Waigong, is whom I admire and love.
