Life Stories

Chinese Woman, 84, Reunited with Father's Image After 8 Decades: A Tale of Memory, Family, and Connection

In a heartwarming revelation that has touched the hearts of many, 84-year-old Xu Xiucheng from Jinan, Shandong, has finally been able to see the face of her father, Xu Lian, who was a martyr.

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3 April 2024

This touching moment occurred just before the Qingming Festival, a traditional Chinese holiday where families pay respect to their ancestors. Xu Xiucheng received a colored drawing of her father, which was created based on the descriptions provided by her mother. As she touched the image, her eyes welled up with tears as she exclaimed, "It's him, it's just like him!" Xu Lian had passed away when Xu Xiucheng was very young, and there were no photographs or other records of him.

"When my father left, I was too young. My mother told me that I looked like him," she said. As she grew older, Xu Xiucheng longed to see what her father looked like, and this drawing fulfilled that wish. The creation of the image was a painstaking process, as calligraphy and painting expert Lin Yuhong had to carefully study a photograph of Xu Xiucheng from her younger days to create an accurate depiction of Xu Lian.

After many attempts, Lin Yuhong was finally able to create an image of Xu Lian in his military uniform. This story has resonated with many on Weibo, China's popular social media platform, with users expressing their sympathy and admiration for Xu Xiucheng's perseverance.

One user commented, "This is so touching, I can't help but cry. I hope that Xu Xiucheng can find peace and comfort in this image." Another user wrote, "This is a beautiful story of family and memory. I'm glad that Xu Xiucheng was able to see what her father looked like."

However, some users have criticized the lack of records and photographs of Xu Lian, with one user writing, "It's sad that there are no photographs or records of Xu Lian. This is a reminder for us to cherish our memories and to document our lives." Despite the controversy, this story serves as a reminder of the importance of family and memory, and the lengths that people will go to in order to preserve these connections. The image of Xu Lian, created through the combined efforts of Xu Xiucheng and Lin Yuhong, is a testament to the power of memory and the human spirit. In a world where technology and progress often take center stage, this story reminds us of the value of personal connections and the power of memory. As Xu Xiucheng looks at the image of her father, she can finally see the face of the man who has been a part of her life for so long, even if only in her memories. This simple yet profound moment is a reminder of the enduring power of family and memory, and the importance of cherishing the connections that we hold dear.