Bringing mama home
Monday, May 19. This was the 7th day our troops entered the earthquake-hit area. In the continuous drizzle, we headed for the mountains to search for survivors. I led the First Company to a small village, where most of the houses had collapsed.
We found an old woman sitting by the ruins of her house. We tried to carry her down the hill, but she just shook her head. Both her son and husband had passed away in the quake.
Our political director tried to comfort her, "Granny, we are all very sad that you've lost your beloved. If you like, I will be your son from now on. I will take care of you."
Tears welled up in the granny's eyes. But, she shook her head again.
The director knelt down in front of her: "I beg you, let me carry you."
All of us were deeply moved.
The director is a native of Shandong province in eastern China. Once we drank too much together and he told me, with tears in his eyes, he lost both parents early in his childhood and grew up with his elder brother.
In the morning, we brought more than 30 people out of the village. If not for the natural disaster, the place could have been a hidden paradise.
The director carried the granny to a temporary shelter for quake victims. "Mom, your son has some tasks to fulfill. Please wait here. I'll carry you home when I'm back."
He gave the granny all the food and water he had. The granny held his hands and said, "My life is worthy to have found a good son like you. Even if I could live only one day with you, I shall die without regrets."
"Please don't say that. You'll live to be 100 years old. I'll take good care of you."
"Good boy, go ahead. Your tasks are important. Don't let an old woman like me hinder you."
Our troops went to several other villages. When we were finally back, the director disappeared. An hour later, he carried the granny to our camp.
When our regimental commander asked me who the old lady was, I said she was our director's mother.
"That's outrageous! How could he bring his mother to the frontline," the commander shouted.
I grabbed him and quickly told him everything. The commander said nothing. I could see he was on the verge of tears.
The author is a battalion commander. His comrade with the name "Parachuting Bear" posted the diary online.
(China Daily 05/29/2008 page18)
