Wearing a spectacular, vivid, rosy gown, with an elegant silver hair roll, Granny Chang was definitely the highlight on the stage.
视频:Media
Old age hangs like a cloud over humanity. Can a person in retirement still have a splendid and colorful life? Maybe that is an accomplishment beyond the scope of your average superstar, but at least one Chinese granny has managed it. In today's Being Chinese special, Let's follow our reporter, He Fei, to have a closer look at her colorful life.
Reporter:"Although I don't have the ability to accomplish some great career, I still think we common people should also enjoy a colorful life."
This is our heroine today, 67-year-old Chang Runlan, an ordinary Chinese elder citizen. Although with grey-hair and wrinkles, her elegant temperament and a child-like heart cannot be hidden. What impressed me most when we first met were her fine varnished red toe-nails and a fancy flower-like ring on her finger. Granny Chang never bends to her age.
"As long as I like, nobody will laugh at me now. I like to wear lipstick and pedicure my toe-nails when wearing sandals. I think that will make me look more energetic and beautiful…(laughing)… This is the chance that this life gives us, and I don't want to miss any of it."
Nine years older than the People's Republic, Chang Runlan has lived through the changes of the time and also the growth of China.
"Back at that time, when I was young, society was so different. Clothes had few colors for people to choose, like white, black, grey, dark blue, and green. There was a saying then that people who were 30 and above could not wear red any more, and for those who were over 40, even the color green was abandoned. So it was really a pity that during my best time, I didn't even have the chance to wear a beautiful skirt. But now if you walk on the street, I bet you'll find many elders at my age wearing bright colors, since we want to have the experience and want to do the things we didn't try when we were young."
Granny Chang(L) is giving a performance on stage. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.COM]
Beyond just wearing beautiful clothes, Granny Chang has had a lot of new experiences, most importantly going to university."The thing I regret most in life, is that I never went to school. I have been so eager to go to school, even a primary school, but haven't had the chance, even for one day. So I was the very first one to join in the elder university when it started in the 1990s. I learned a lot. They have a variety of lessons. I learned how to draw a picture, how to write, and even how to use a computer. From then on, my old-fashioned mind was broadened and can follow the pace of the time now. To go to elder university has somehow realized my dream."
Granny Chang has a happy and intimate family. With a son, a daughter, and a one-year-old granddaughter, even more amazing is that Granny Chang's mom and dad are still both healthy too, although they are around 90 now. The flute you just heard accompanying Granny Chang's singing was played by her father. When Granny Chang was a little girl, she and her father would make some money by performing at weddings or on other occasions in their village. At that time, she hated singing, but now it is a treasured part of her life,
When thinking about retired life, what picture do you draw in your mind? Frittering away each day, family gossip and chatter, or being tied up at home with grandchildren? Well, none of these are in Granny Chang's calendar. She has more important things to do, including leading a community choir.
"When we retired, we had nothing to do and felt bored. So I started this choir to gather many of retirees to have fun together. We have about 20 members who all live in the same community. Although we gather for fun, we all train in earnest. So now we have some fame in Fengtai District. I think I can find my calling with the community choir."
The choral group has a very good atmosphere, harmonious and happy. They all see Granny Chang as both their friend and teacher. She has enriched their life after retirement.
"I really admire Mrs. Chang. She does everything in earnest. Although we gather for fun, she is very strict with us when we rehearse."
"Mrs. Chang is no longer young, but her spirit is always optimistic and upward. She not only takes charge of our activities but also cares a lot about our lives. This year, a choir member contracted cancer. Mrs. Chang always went to hospital to see her or gave her a call. She is more like our elder sister than a choir teacher."
"I changed a lot. I was a little bit shy and didn't like to make friends before. After I took part in the choir, I became more open, as did other members."
"Mrs. Chang is selfless. This is what most people couldn't do. She is nearly 70 and still takes care of her parents now and she also has diabetes herself. However, she formed this choir and brought happiness to all of us without asking for anything."