Even though my grandfather was a farmer, my grandmother would iron his work clothes every day. Grandmother mixed up her own starch (淀粉浆) in a glass b with a metal cap that had several holes. She sprinkled Grandfather's jeans with the starch, hung them over a chair for a few minutes, and then i them.
Because I watched her do this through my childhood, I thought every old woman did it. But as the years passed, I began to question this p. Why did Grandfather need his work clothes ironed? Most days, he never saw anyone b me and maybe a few other farmers. The clothes became dirty in just a short time. Why did Grandmother s devote time and effort to ironing Grandfather's clothes that were rarely seen?
One day when I was about 13, I asked Grandmother about it. She told me Grandfather was the most handsome man in the world. Later that day, I looked c at Grandfather. He sure didn't look so handsome to me. He was short and fat with false teeth (假牙). Later I told her my thought.
She gave me a girlish smile and said, "You just aren't looking in the right light, Cathy. I remember when he had r teeth. He has the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen. They are e the same color as the sky just before the sun goes down. I want the world to see my h as the most beautiful man. I want him to feel beautiful. I iron his clothes every day because for all these years, he has made me feel beautiful."
The years went on, and I watched Grandmother and Grandfather grow old together. I was probably 30 when I u what beauty really was. It was Grandmother ironing Grandfather's jeans with starch from a glass bottle.
