(Minghui.org) My father has two younger brothers and a younger sister. Ever since I was old enough to understand things I noticed my mother and one of my aunts act like sworn enemies. The two families often had heated arguments and almost got into physical fights.
My uncle was afraid of his wife and did whatever she said. My aunt was a shrew and no one dared to stand up to her. She yelled at anyone she didn’t like, and often beat and scolded her children.
My mother had a strong personality and refused to yield to my aunt even when she was right. My mother thought my uncle’s family was ungrateful.
Back then, we had several relatives who liked to fish. Whenever they gave my mother fish or shrimp, she generously shared them with my grandfather and my two uncles’ families.
My mother took care of my aunt after she gave birth. My grandmother had bronchitis and bound feet, but my aunt didn’t want to care for her, so my mother took care of her. The two families gradually became bitter enemies.
I’m an introvert and I was afraid of my aunt since I was a child. I didn’t speak up even when she bullied me, but I told my mother about it. I saw her when she was at the river pier one day. Seeing that I was alone, she charged at me as if she was going to push me into the river. I was terrified.
I joined a production team after graduating from school at the age of 18. During that time, she berated and hurt me whenever she saw me. I was afraid of her and I hated her.
Our two families eventually stopped having any contact. They didn’t come when my family invited them for festive occasions, and they didn’t bother to invite us when they had a celebration. Our two families were estranged for years. When I visited my parents after I got married, I wouldn’t greet my aunt when I saw her and she acted as if she didn’t see me.
I was in poor health and became seriously ill, even my heart hurt. I had stomach aches. I began practicing Falun Dafa on September 11, 2004, with the intention to cure my ailments, and they were gone after I practiced for two weeks. I was overjoyed and grateful for Master’s care.
After reading Zhuan Falun I understood Master wanted us to follow the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance and improve our character. Therefore, I bought some gifts and visited my aunt during the Chinese New Year holiday.
She was very surprised and said, “You’ve been married for more than 20 years and we haven’t kept in touch. Why are you visiting and bringing me gifts?”
I replied, “I practice Falun Dafa now and we’re taught to be kind to everyone, especially our family, and you are my family. I would like to visit you every year from now on.” My aunt was touched.
I told her, “Falun Dafa is an upright and noble practice. It teaches us to follow the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance to improve ourselves. Kind people with good moral values can bring stability and benefit society. Please remember the auspicious phrases, ‘Falun Dafa is good’ and ‘Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good,’ and you’ll be blessed.”
My aunt replied, “I believe what you said. But I never went to school and I’m illiterate. Do you think I’ll be able to remember the phrases?”
“Yes, you’ll be able to remember as long as you are sincere about it,” I reassured her.
For the past 20 years, my aunt recited the auspicious phrases and asked her siblings and the people in my mother’s village to recite them. She often told people that after I began practicing, I visited her and brought her delicious treats.
When I was taken to a forced labor camp for 18 months, my aunt showed concern for me as if I were her daughter. She asked practitioners, “Have they released my niece? Practitioners are good people. How can they jail good people? This makes no sense to me!”
