Author: Not Written
In my life, my grandpa and grandma occupy an extremely important place. When I needed to choose one elder to write about, I realized that I could not select just one of them, because together they formed the warmest and most stable support of my childhood. Therefore, I decided to write the life stories of both my grandpa and grandma, recording their personalities, their way of life, and the profound influence they have had on me.
Both my grandpa and grandma are mainland Chinese. In his early years, Grandpa worked on ships, spending long periods at sea. His life was exhausting, yet full of resilience. Grandpa has a very distinct personality. His voice is loud, his speech strong and clear, giving people the impression of great energy and robust health. Even in old age, he remains quick in his movements, always lively and enthusiastic when chatting with friends or neighbours and showing concern for everyday matters. His attitude toward life is direct and straightforward, and it has influenced my own courage and frankness in facing things.
In contrast, Grandma’s personality is much gentler. She is a homemaker who devoted many years to caring for the family, pouring her energy into her loved ones. Grandma carries herself with elegance, speaks softly, and always has a calming presence. She does not speak much, yet she takes care of everyone through small details. Whether it is a table of steaming hot dishes or a thoughtful word of reminder, one can feel her deep and quiet love.
I was almost entirely raised by my grandpa and grandma, and I share a very deep emotional bond with them. As a child, I did not attend kindergarten. Instead, every day I would “report” to my grandparents’ home. In the mornings, I ate breakfast with them and watched television, enjoying a simple yet warm daily routine. At noon, Grandpa would ride his motorcycle to take me to buy lunchboxes. In the afternoon, I would hold Grandma’s hand and go together to a department store for afternoon tea. Those moments were ordinary, yet filled with happiness.
At a young age, I did not realize that these seemingly routine moments were actually the most precious gifts in life. It was only as I slowly grew up and began to look back on these memories that I discovered how every second spent with my grandpa and grandma had already become irreplaceable in my heart. Whenever I recall these scenes, my eyes inevitably fill with tears.
Through writing the life stories of my grandpa and grandma, I am not only recording their life journeys, but also re-organizing the deep emotional connection between them and myself. In their own different ways, they accompanied me as I grew up and shaped my understanding of family and my feelings about love. These memories will continue to stay with me, becoming the gentlest and most steadfast source of strength in my life.
在我生命中，外公與外婆佔有非常重要的位置。當需要選擇書寫一位長者的生命故事時，我發
現自己無法只選其中一人，因為他們兩位共同構成了我童年最溫暖、也最穩定的依靠。因此，
我決定一併書寫外公與外婆的生命故事，記錄他們的個性、生活樣貌，以及他們帶給我的深遠
影響。外公與外婆都是外省人。外公早年從事跑船的工作，長時間在海上奔波，生活勞累卻充
滿韌性。外公的個性十分鮮明，他嗓門很大，說話中氣十足，給人一種精力充沛、相當健朗的
印象。即使上了年紀，他依然行動俐落，總是精神奕奕地和朋友或鄰居聊天、關心生活瑣事。
他的人生態度直接而坦率，也影響了我面對事情時的勇氣與直爽。相較之下，外婆的個性則溫
柔許多。她是一位家庭主婦，長年照顧家庭，把心力投注在家人身上。外婆舉止優雅，說話輕
聲細語，總帶著讓人安心的氣質。她不多言，卻總是在細節中照顧每一個人，無論是一桌熱騰
騰的飯菜，或是一句貼心的叮嚀，都讓人感受到她深厚而安靜的愛。我從小幾乎是由外公外婆
帶大的，與他們之間有著非常深厚的情感。童年時，我沒有上幼兒園，而是每天到外公外婆家
「報到」。早上，我會和他們一起吃早餐、看電視，享受簡單卻溫馨的日常。中午，外公會騎
著摩托車載我去買便當。下午，則會牽著外婆的手一起到百貨公司喝下午茶，那些時光平凡卻
充滿幸福。年幼的我並不知道，這些看似日常的片刻，其實是人生中最珍貴的禮物。直到慢慢
長大，開始回顧這些回憶時，才發現那些與外公外婆相處的分分秒秒，早已成為我心中無可取
代的存在。每當回想起這些畫面，我總忍不住紅了眼眶。透過書寫外公與外婆的生命故事，我
不只是記錄他們的人生歷程，也重新整理了自己與他們之間深刻的情感連結。他們用各自不同
的方式，陪伴我成長，形塑了我對家的理解與對愛的感受。這份記憶，將會一直陪伴著我，成
為我生命中最溫柔、也最堅定的力量。