1988年，刘参谋在帮老乡收小麦砍伤我的手，不久我请他喝酒
＂你疯了？我不就是说了句不想参军吗，你就用锄头砍我？＂我捂着流血的手，疼得龇牙咧嘴，怒视着刘参谋。
那年我刚满十八，正是血气方刚的年纪。家里七个兄弟姐妹，我排行老三，上面还有两个姐姐。爹妈都是老实巴交的农民，一辈子面朝黄土背朝天。我从小就想着有朝一日能改变家里的境况，让爹妈过上好日子。可是，命运偏偏跟我开了个玩笑。
那天早上，我本想帮隔壁李大爷家收麦子，没成想遇上了刘参谋。他一来就说要征兵，我一听就不乐意了。
刘参谋是个倔脾气，见我不愿意，就开始晓之以理动之以情。我也不是好说话的主，越说越来气。一来二去，竟然动起了手。我一时没留神，他手里的锄头就砍在了我的手上。
＂小子，你懂什么？当兵是为国家做贡献，是光宗耀祖的好事！＂刘参谋气喘吁吁地说。
我忍着痛，心里却在想：爹妈还等着我赚钱养家呢，我怎么能走？可我又不敢说出来，怕刘参谋笑话我没出息。
刘参谋见我受伤，也有些后悔。他叹了口气，说：＂走吧，我带你去医院看看。＂
在去医院的路上，刘参谋絮絮叨叨地说着当兵的好处。我心不在焉地听着，脑子里却在想着怎么跟爹妈交代这事。
到了医院，大夫给我包扎好伤口。刘参谋一直陪在旁边，还主动掏钱买了药。我心里的气消了一些，但还是不愿意去当兵。
回家后，我把事情原原本本地告诉了爹妈。爹气得直跺脚，妈却拉住了他，说：＂孩子，你自己的路自己选。我们虽然穷，但不能让你委屈了自己。＂
听了妈的话，我心里更加坚定了不去当兵的想法。可是，刘参谋却不依不饶，三天两头就来我家做思想工作。
有一天，刘参谋又来了。这次他没提当兵的事，而是帮我们家收麦子。我看着他挥汗如雨的样子，心里不是滋味。
收完麦子，我请刘参谋喝酒。酒过三巡，我鼓起勇气问他：＂刘参谋，你为啥非要我去当兵？＂
刘参谋放下酒碗，认真地看着我说：＂小伙子，你知道吗？我们村前些年有个叫张国庆的，也是像你这样不愿意当兵。后来他在外面打工，出了车祸，腿都没了。要是他当初去当兵，说不定现在已经是个军官了。＂
听了这话，我心里一震。刘参谋接着说：＂我看你小子聪明伶俐，去了部队肯定有出息。再说了，当兵还能学一门技术，以后回来也好找工作。＂
我沉默了，心里开始动摇。刘参谋见状，又说：＂你要是担心家里，我可以帮忙照应着。你爹妈就当多了个儿子。＂
这番话彻底打动了我。我抬头看着刘参谋，眼里有了光：＂刘参谋，我听你的，我去当兵！＂
刘参谋高兴得直拍大腿：＂好小子，有志气！走，我们再喝一个！＂
就这样，我踏上了从军之路。临走那天，全村的人都来送我。爹妈红着眼睛，却笑着说：＂儿子，好好干，别给咱村丢人！＂
在部队里，我像海绵吸水一样学习各种知识和技能。白天训练，晚上看书，没几年就当上了班长。每次立功受奖，我都会想起刘参谋，感谢他当初的一番苦心。
转眼五年过去，我退伍回到了村里。刘参谋早已调走，但他的影响却一直伴随着我。我用在部队学到的技术，在镇上开了个修理厂，生意红火得很。
有一天，我在街上遇到了刘参谋。他已经是个中校了，却还是那副憨厚的样子。我请他喝酒，说起当年的事，我们都笑得前仰后合。
酒桌上，刘参谋突然说：＂其实，我当初也是被逼着去当兵的。要不是那样，我可能现在还在村里种地呢。＂
听了这话，我惊讶得说不出话来。刘参谋接着说：＂所以啊，我就想着，要是能帮更多的年轻人找到出路，那该多好。＂
我深深地被刘参谋的话触动了。从那以后，每逢征兵季节，我都会和刘参谋一起，去村里动员年轻人参军。看着一个个年轻人穿上军装，我心里总是充满自豪。
years later， my life took an unexpected turn. I met a beautiful girl named李小花 at a village gathering. She was smart， kind， and had a contagious laugh. We fell in love and decided to get married. But just as we were planning our wedding， I received news that my old army unit was being deployed on a peacekeeping mission. They needed experienced veterans like me to volunteer.
I was torn. On one hand， I had my new life and future with 小花 to look forward to. On the other， I felt a strong sense of duty to serve my country again. After much soul-searching and discussion with 小花， I decided to volunteer for the mission. It would mean postponing our wedding， but 小花 supported my decision， saying she was proud to be marrying a man who put his country first.
The mission was challenging but rewarding. We helped build schools and hospitals in war-torn areas， bringing hope to people who had lost everything. Throughout it all， I thought of 小花 and how lucky I was to have her waiting for me back home.
When I finally returned， our wedding day was even more joyous than we could have imagined. As we celebrated with family and friends， I caught sight of a familiar face in the crowd - it was刘参谋， now retired but still standing tall and proud. Our eyes met and we shared a knowing smile， both understanding the journey that had led to this moment.
As I reflect on my life， I realize how that one decision to join the army， sparked by a heated argument and a wounded hand， had shaped my entire future. It gave me purpose， skills， and even led me to the love of my life. I often wonder what would have happened if刘参谋 hadn＇t been so persistent that day in the wheat field.
Now， as I watch my own son grow up， I wonder if he too will one day wear the uniform. But I know， whatever path he chooses， I＇ll be there to guide him， just as刘参谋 was there for me. After all， isn＇t that what life is about？ Passing on the wisdom we＇ve gained， helping others find their way， and maybe， just maybe， changing a life or two along the way.
