The Witness of History

 

ESL100 INTG

 

Ya Qiao

 

Nov 5, 2020

 

The Witness of History

 

 

  Whenever I watch the news about my country China in the United States, I always feel proud of how peaceful it is. In addition, I remember those heroes who fought for their country, and protected their country. In 1937, japan started the Mukden Incident, and within a few months, the Japanese Army occupied the whole of the north areas in China. However, seventy-one years ago, China established the new republic of China after a decade of civil war. I’m proud to say, my grandfather joined the historic moment, and he was one of the heroes who fought for the country. My grandfather was born in a small village in Heibei Province, the northern part of China. When he was a kid, he saw the Japanese army destroyed the village he was living in. Since then, he had a determination to defend the village and homeland when he got older. Therefore, in 1944, he joined the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. When the Liberation Army went southwest and liberated Chongqing and Chengdu, he decided to living in Chongqing for the rest of life. Once I asked why he would settle in Chongqing instead of return to his hometown, he told me the landscape of Chongqing attracted him. At that time, I think he made a particularly right decision for our whole family. Because of his choice, it changed our family’s future generation.

 

            In the beginning, his decision influenced the status of women in our family, especially my grandmother. In my grandfather’s hometown, there was an outmoded tradition for women that they didn’t have the status in their family and they have to obeyed for that tradition. In China’s old society, especially in the north part, women needed to have many children for the family as a mission. As a result, in the eyes of all people, a woman was a tool for giving birth. However, in the southern city where my grandmother was born, it was different. Because the local of culture didn’t not just value men, but the gender inequality. In addition, for some families, women had more power than their husbands, and for most of the husbands believe this is an expression of love for their wives. For instance, my grandmother was an obstetrician and gynecologist, and she was a mother of four kids. However, it didn’t affect her passion for her work. In fact, she could maintain her career to be an independent woman at that time. Most importantly, she could be herself not anybody’s tool. Thus, my grandmother didn’t live for outmoded tradition, and she pursued her dream and lived for herself.

 

 In addition, my grandfather led his offspring have to better quality of life. When the war was over, my grandfather got a good job in our hometown. Unlike his childhood, when he had to worry about food or education, his children didn’t have to worry. Furthermore, there was a wish in his heart, and it was that he wanted to continue to study. In contrast, due to the war and the poor condition of the family, he cloud not accomplish his wish. Even though he didn’t get a chance to finish his schoolwork, he was able to provide education for his four children when the standard of living got better. As a result, my father and his sisters were educated at that time, and when they finished their studies, they all got a good job. These days, when they think about the past with my grandfather, they always said that if my grandfather returned to his hometown, they might be different today. They are still enjoying living in this beautiful southern city.

 

Since my grandfather has told me many stories about war times, I have realized how fortunate I’m to live a peaceful age. As an ancient country, China had experienced many wars in history, yet these experiences made this country become stronger. The war brought unbearable pain to those who sacrificed their lives for the country. For this reason, I cherish my normal life more. There was a story that my grandfather told me once, his army need to over a snow mountain. When night fell, the temperature got lower, and many people felt sleepy. My grandfather had noticed the one of the soldiers was already drowsy, and he tried to wake him up when he fell asleep. My grandfather said if he really fell asleep, he might never wake up again. Although this was not the only one of the many stories I have heard, it reminds me of how precious life is that to live in current age.

 

Last month, China celebrated the 71st anniversary of the establishment of China. While I was watching this news online, I thought that maybe my grandfather didn't know that his choice would brought significant change to his family and offspring. Even now, my family and I are still proud of my grandfather for our family and the country’s accomplishment, and he still uses these stories to encourage his family. Furthermore, I will never forget those heroes who sacrificed for the county, and they are the real witness of history. I hope one day like my grandfather did to me, and I will let my offspring know their cultural roots and tell those stories to them.

 

 

                                                   My grandfather.