Youth Yun, who is famous for his advanced age, said at the centenary birthday party: "I only have one secret: optimism. Don't dwell on the past, spend more time thinking about how to create a better future.
-I want to send this document to my friends and family. I hope that our lives will have a youthful style. This is my best wishes to you at the beginning of 20 19. I wish you all a long and healthy life like Yan Youyun and a "forward-looking" life like her.
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The full name of young rhyme is "Yan Youyun". Her oral work 109 Spring was edited by her eldest daughter Yang.
109 spring, as its name implies, was written by an author of 109. And "spring" inevitably reminds people of the journey of "winter goes and spring comes", and life is bitter and cold. But Yan Youyun said, "When people ask me' How was my day', I always answer' Every day is a good day'". Is she saying that longevity is a kind of enjoyment? Or is it because you live every day well that you can live longer?
? Anyone who sees this book for the first time, or who sees her, wants to know the secret of her long life. Yan Youyun said: "The secret of my longevity is: I don't exercise, I don't take tonics, I like fat meat best, I don't dwell on the past, and I always look forward." . It seems that not every secret that makes her live longer can be imitated. How many people are discouraged and surprised by "eating fat most"? Well, maybe Grandma Yan has a different body structure and is the bane of obesity. But we can still see a clue from it: she lives freely, naturally, authentically and happily. But she also said, "Don't dwell on the past, but always look forward", which everyone can learn to follow. Her "looking forward" is not a summary after finding herself alive for a long time, but a consistent attitude towards life, which can be proved everywhere in the experiences described in the book.
This goddess, surrounded by various auras of the upper class, experienced the hardships and tribulations of life like ordinary people when she was young. She said, "I remember packing and moving in those years. And because Kuang always has to go to his post first, all these things are borne by me alone ... almost overnight, I became the person in charge of everything. " Faced with such a life reversal, she began to "manage housework, recruit and train servants, guide chefs, plan and host many parties." She became "her own housekeeper, her own accountant". A beautiful young lady, the first female student of Fudan University, was "the first person to drive a luxury car into the campus", "a famous person in a ten-mile foreign market" and "the embodiment of beauty and fashion", and instantly became her own housekeeper and bookkeeper, handling all kinds of trivial matters in the world. She said, "To my own surprise, it turns out that I am very capable." Her self swept away the gloom and chaos, and she stood up again with a beautiful figure.
During World War II, when she lived in Manila, her beloved jewels were stolen. Her shock was revealed in her words: "I tried to remain calm about this matter." The lost jewels have been in my collection since I was in Shanghai. The stolen jewels have been handed down from my family, and some of them were bought in Paris, Monte Carlo and Italy. This kind of loss is like an artist losing his treasure, an archaeologist losing his antique cultural relics, and some of them are driven out of his mind. "When my friends asked me why I didn't feel too bad about it, I told them that all bad things could happen, which was the least. I just lost my property, and other important things were unscathed-my life, health and family. "
Yang is the eldest daughter of the author and the crystallization of Yan Youyun's family education. Raymond said: "During the Second World War, I witnessed my mother change from a social butterfly to a' general' overnight, responsible for organizing a group of women, children, servants and their accommodation and dogs. I see, as long as you have perseverance, there is no burden you can't afford. I also learned from her to look forward instead of dwelling on the past; Don't waste time and emotion to regret the past, but look forward to the future with confidence and optimism. "
In fact, Yangyun is not only responsible for the accommodation of a group of people. It is mentioned in the book that "the extremely hot and humid weather in Manila is not healthy. Every scratch or scratch is susceptible to infection. " She runs a clinic in the corner of her bedroom every day, and there are always two or three children waiting to treat their wounds. In addition to wounds, there are diseases: "The child has experienced various diseases-chickenpox, herpes, dengue fever, earache and so on. One of my children is always bedridden. We are so afraid of diphtheria that we often check the children's throats ... ". Among the people she led were mainly the wives of consular diplomats and consuls. These wives and their children, as well as the servants and chefs at home, formed a big family during the war. "As the consul general's wife, everyone wants me to do housework. This is not a pleasant job. " Wives quarrel with each other, some often complain, and servants even fight. "I tried my best to be a messenger of peace, but I was really tired."
The memory of this life is very bitter. Young rhyme can be as calm as nothing happened during the day, because other women and children in the family have been frightened by the great changes in life. "But at night, I can take off my disguise and return to my true self. Every time I hear a car passing by the front door, I get nervous. When I hear soldiers' shoes kicking on the stone road, I shrink back, even though it turns out that they are not here to arrest us. "
"In addition to fear, there are concerns, mainly economic. ... the salary provided by the China government is very meager ... My savings are almost used up. " These days of fear and worry are followed by days of terrible hopelessness and sadness: "I almost blocked the detailed memory of that terrible day." "After all the wives moved in, Mr. Nishimoto sent our husband's personal belongings, saying that they went to a' far away place' ... I may have a pair of glasses, a watch and a lock of hair. ..... The whole house is full of women sobbing ... I can't imagine that they have been killed ... "
Fear, anxiety and despair go hand in hand, just like the devil of war throwing more and more poison at people. The food supply in Manila almost collapsed, and words such as "famine", "hunger", "inflation", "power failure" and "water supply system paralysis" frequently appeared. What's more, "sniper bullets and shrapnel kept flying into the house. Once I was lying in bed, some shrapnel passed through me and hit the wall above me. "
What did Xiaoyun and his wife and children do in these terrible days? They tried to play piano music "Whispering in Spring" and "A Girl's Prayer", both of which were gorgeous tunes. They play bridge on the balcony; Make clothes for growing children (such as brown cotton sleeveless dresses); Make some delicious "onion beef (actually horse meat)"; Try to make thin cream (though failed); Take advantage of sending children to school; Take the children to visit Dorothy, a Japanese prison camp where Americans are held.
Yang Xuelan (the second girl with a youthful rhyme) recalled the life of children at that time: there were nine children at home. Children have no toys, but they play house with leaves and fruits, kick shuttlecocks with stones and travel by carriage; Children grow vegetables in the garden and raise chickens and ducks; Running barefoot often; He became a witness and companion of love stories, and proudly declared that he "learned to respect privacy and never revealed it to anyone before making it public". Are these descriptions interesting?
On the ugly days, they lit up their lives with beautiful brilliance. Ugly war can deprive people of peace of life, but it can't deprive people of inner beauty.
During the famine years, with the help of overseas Chinese in the Philippines, rice and food were continuously delivered to them. "Our food is monotonous, but at last we have enough to eat." Although I am not hungry, fear and anxiety can destroy people's bodies like cancer, and one of the manifestations is that people lose weight quickly. After three years of anxiety and fear, the diplomat's wife used to take a paraffin bath every two weeks to help her lose weight, which dropped to "90 pounds (about 4 1 kg) and returned to her girlhood" (height 153cm). It seems that in the nightmare years, Youyun can still find happy information. She miraculously saved everyone around her except a servant who refused to go with them.
It is true that this positive attitude towards life can bring us positive energy and prepare for the unknown road ahead. However, in the narrative of 109 spring, all kinds of interesting letters, memories and events can also reflect Yan Youyun's tolerant and open-minded character. She has used several cooks, among which Wu Ma has been a maid for the longest time. This is a very interesting example.
When she was in Shanghai, Wu Ma was responsible for washing and ironing clothes at first, and then worked with her for more than 30 years. After the war, with the help of her friends, she left the Philippines and came to the United States with her family and Oh Ma. She said confidently, "I've always had a great cook-I've trained Wu Ma to be an excellent cook …" After Youyun left the United States, "friends often asked Wu Ma to prepare dinner". Xiaoyun entrusted her husband (Gu Weijun) to Wu Ma's care when he returned to the United States to visit relatives. It was not until 1963 that Wu Ma retired and left Youyun's house. All kinds of narratives show that Wu Ma is a reliable servant and a superb cook.
But in the eyes of Yang (the author's eldest daughter), what is Wu? "I don't know if I will take Oh Mom home again. I don't think she wants to come by herself. But I still invite her to come over next time. Hey, she's so unsanitary! She wiped everything with the same greasy cloth. ..... she is learning to keep tidy. (But I don't think she has taken a bath at all) ... "Can you imagine? "Wipe everything with the same greasy cloth", isn't it too unsanitary?
Through their different evaluations of Wu Ma, we can reflect the tolerance of traveling cloud and her open-minded personality. In her eyes, I only saw the bright spot of Oh Mom. Who doesn't like making friends with such a young rhyme? Xiaoyun said, "When I come home from work, I often find my friends waiting impatiently for me. They have called Wu Ma in advance to inform them that they will come to dinner. " This scene is really cute, how many people dream of coming uninvited! (The digression is: "Don't be superstitious about the feast of the rich and powerful") It seems that people who live with Youyun are like spring breeze.
One of her magical charms is that she can give people the warmth of family. Gu Weijun's daughter said to her, "Thank you for letting me and Dechang feel the warmth of the family, and thank you for bringing this family together." . Gu Weijun's granddaughter said, "My father (Dechang) and I have always been estranged. We just want to integrate into this big family when we grow up. I went straight to the apartment without notice, and grandma opened the door and said to me,' You want to see your father.' Since then, my son Nicholas and I have been enjoying grandma's infinite warmth and hospitality, not to mention the rich food at home. "
However, her love and charm are not limited to her family and friends. She has sponsored many people who read books and seek dreams. These people, not only teenagers with excellent academic performance, but also middle-aged women with low academic qualifications, are not screened when she sponsors. And those who get her support and guidance have successfully completed their studies and have a successful career. These deeds are recorded in a special chapter in the book, namely chapter 16. Looking ahead, this is also the last chapter of the book.
Different from the autobiographies of celebrities that we often see, Yan Youyun's last chapter does not summarize the past, but tells the successful experiences of the children she sponsored and the memories of these recipients who came to live and study in the United States for the first time. These people all got the help and promotion from Grandma Youyun in the most difficult time, and finally achieved success in their careers, and even achieved achievements that they never dreamed of.
Young Liam is old. She thinks, "What's the next plan?"
She not only supports students and dream seekers who have just arrived in the United States, but also her children. But I believe that her children are helpful because of the guidance of her wise mother. Yan Youyun mentioned in the article, "Because my children are committed to giving back the benefits they have gained to the society, my scope of help goes beyond relatives and friends and extends to strangers."
1980, Raymond (the author's eldest daughter) established Yan Youyun Fund in Andover. In 2007, Zhang Tianjiao, a third-year student from Shanghai, won the Yan Youyun Scholarship.
Her daughter Shirley donated a study to Wellesley College to cultivate women's global leadership. Shirley donated a teahouse, You Yun Xuan, to Shanghai Museum.
Her son-in-law, Tang Yiqian (whom the author calls "my son"), set up a scholarship in Andover. In 2007-2008, more than 20 students won the Tang Scholarship of Phillips College. Tang Yiqian also donated money to build the Down's Teaching Museum and Art Gallery.
Yan Youyun said: "In my life, no matter what difficulties I encounter, there will always be people who lend a helping hand. Now I hope I can continue this care. "
Here are some excerpts from the children she sponsored:
Lisa: "In the end, I entered a better university as I wished. I had a choice, not just being admitted."
Zhou An: "Grandma proved to me that the old saying" Helping others "in China is the truth in life practice, not the truth in fantasy. She has created a chain of gratitude and kindness, and I am trying my best to pass it on. "
Li Danqiu: "I have the ability in the future. I will take Grandma Gu as an example and try my best to help those who are also interested in higher education and eager for knowledge."
Luo Mingzhu: "I can't speak English at all ... Now I can communicate with people in English and make many friends. ..... She took care of me, even my future, and my life was completely changed. "
Zhang Lin: "She taught me the right way of life, which is her considerate and helpful way. She set the standard for me to pursue in this life. "
At this point, as a reader of "109 Springs", I not only hid my thoughts. Spring in Yan You Yun is not about the journey of bitter and cold years, but about creating a better future. If her grandparents run a business empire, then she has run a love empire all her life. Yan Youyun's existence itself is a spring full of sunshine and rain, rich and gorgeous, warm and full of nutrients. She is the spring of family, friends, strangers and dreamers. She also planted the seeds of spring in the hearts of children, ordinary people like you and me, and the world.
-I want to send this document to my friends and family. I hope that our lives will have a youthful style. This is my best wishes to you at the beginning of 20 19. I wish you all a long and healthy life like Yan Youyun and a "forward-looking" life like her.
Note: The writing of this article quoted a large number of original texts in order to be closer to the original description of the work and avoid being divorced from the author's personal understanding.
This article is just a theme that the author wants to highlight, so I only extract the original text related to the theme. The original work is rich in content, such as fashion, food, the author's work in the United Nations, higher education for children and primary schools, and female education. I hope interested friends will gain something after reading the original text.
109 Spring: Oral, edited by Gu Yan Youyun, translated by Wei Ping. New world publishing house. 206438+05. 10.
Postscript: The books I glimpsed in the library should be used for after-dinner entertainment. Only then did I find out that this book is not a complete book for keeping in good health, nor a recollection of the prosperous past of Shili Sheep Farm, but a lifestyle. Yan Youyun is cheerful, open-minded and enthusiastic. Even as a reader, he can squeeze out nervous time to write this article, and the writing process is also pleasant. Thanks to Yan Youyun!