How Widows Can SparkTheir Children's Curiosity

There was a woman who became a widow at a young age. She loved her husband deeply and couldn't come to terms with his death. She chose not to seek a new partner but also didn't lead a cheerful life. She lived with her children until they moved out, then returned to the house she shared with her late husband. There, she spent her days and nights thinking of him, becoming increasingly sad and bitter. After her children left, she had no life of her own. They found it boring to be with her, yet felt guilty if they weren't. They were caught between dull visits and guilty departures, growing resentful and beginning to distance themselves from her. Her loneliness and bitterness grew. With the guidance of friends, the woman realized that her behavior was damaging the love between her and her children. She began attending retiree gatherings, finding new friends and interests, gradually allowing the past to remain in the past. After a while, she almost forgot about her children's existence. Before long, the children started to become curious about her life and could not resist the curiosity and urge to visit her. Letting the past fade away and allowing the new to come in holds a certain beauty, much like the leaves of a tree. Each leaf, formed in the same pattern yet unique, changes colors in autumn before falling and sprouts fresh green in spring. This is the mystery of systemic dynamics – "change" is constant. Each individual leaf may wither and die, but the tree remains; the tree may die, but the forest remains. Clutching onto wilted leaves may offer solace to memories, but it doesn’t aid the tree’s growth. Similarly, family members are born and will die eventually. Holding on too tightly impedes the natural flow of life, regardless of whether it was good or bad.