Lan stood in front of the house, taking deep breaths of fresh air. A few birds also woke up early and chirped on the treetops in front of the house. Lan leisurely looked up at the morning sky because today was a day off. The work of helping people clean up after the flood was also finished. Her two children were still on summer vacation, so Lan let them sleep in a little longer.
Sitting down on the steps, Lan scrolled through her phone to check the news. There were no more news stories about floods and landslides here and there, instead there were articles and pictures about humanity in natural disasters and calamities. They were soldiers, police, and road workers who arrived promptly at landslide sites to clear rocks and soil, clear sewers, and ensure smooth traffic. They were women and young people helping people clean up their houses when the floodwaters passed. They were bags of rice, jars of fish sauce, and boxes of instant noodles from organizations and individuals supporting people who had suffered losses... All of these positive news streams made Lan feel warm. Suddenly, Lan saw the image of her husband and his teammates wading through mud and scraping dirt at a landslide right on the inter-commune road. Lan enlarged the picture, looked at her husband's figure, and smiled happily.
Lan and her husband both participated in supporting the people during the last time. Lan works for the ward youth union, so everything is led by the youth volunteers. Lan's husband is a soldier working in the district, and when he receives orders, he sets out to carry out his mission, regardless of the lurking dangers. Lan had to leave her two young children at her grandparents' house, and only picked them up yesterday.
Lan is a Central Vietnamese who has been working in the Central Highlands for nearly 10 years. In those 10 years, this land has never suffered as much damage from heavy rain as this year. The flooding point is right in the ward. As soon as the announcement was made, the ward established a shock team, and Lan was there in time to help people move their belongings.
Early in the morning, the water rushed in from somewhere, rising higher and higher. Some houses were flooded almost to the roof. Fortunately, thanks to the quick response, valuable belongings were moved to higher ground by the families and the shock troops, and the damage was reduced.
But she still felt guilty about Hoa’s situation. When the shock troops arrived at the boarding house to help the mother and daughter move, all of Hoa’s books were wet. Because her family was poor, every year she had to use other friends’ old books. Looking at the pile of books crumpled by water, her eyes filled with tears. Lan suddenly remembered the image of her childhood in Hoa.
Lan's family was also very poor. Her father was seriously ill, and her mother worked as a hired hand to make ends meet. Every time a group came down to give gifts, Lan's family was given priority. Lan was the eldest in the family, so she would often go and receive gifts for her family. Even though the gifts were only a few necessities, they were still a big help to Lan's family. Her mother did not have to worry about rice, fish sauce, and salt for that month, but instead saved the money to buy medicine for her father.
For the new school year, Lan and her sisters were given books and clothes. Although they were old, they were still in good condition. These simple things helped Lan and her siblings continue their education.
That love urged Lan to study hard and live a useful life so as not to let down those who had taken care of her in difficult times. When she entered university, every summer Lan participated in volunteer activities. Lan went to poor villages and gave notebooks and pretty pencils to the children. The bright, innocent eyes that lit up with joy made Lan happy.
Then every day in class, she was given a delicious baked potato or a bunch of pretty wild flowers. The lessons Lan taught the children were not only about letters and numbers, but also stories about giving and receiving, giving and loving forever.
Lan, Lan!
Hearing the call, Lan startled and looked up at the door and saw Mai standing there calling. Lan stood up and quickly went to open the gate and invited Mai into the house.
- What are you thinking that I keep calling you but you don't answer? Mai looked at Lan and asked.
- I'm thinking about the past days. I thought I had escaped the storm and flood in the central region, but unexpectedly, I had to flee here. Luckily, my house is high so it's safe, but if it was low, I would have to worry about fixing it. Lan explained as she walked.
- Luckily the weather is sunny, otherwise I would be worried. The weather is so unpredictable now, I don't know what to do, and there are many landslides, I'm worried. Let's sit on the porch to cool down, so the kids can sleep a little longer. Mai said as she sat down on the porch.
Mai has been Lan's neighbor for 8 years. Mai is an elementary school teacher and her husband works in the fire department and rescue department of the police force. Mai looked at Lan and continued the conversation.
- I have lived here since the province was founded, and there has never been a year as unfortunate as this year. There were house fires, floods, and landslides. My husband has been working non-stop for the past two months. He has been working on house fires and then on flood relief. I stay home and worry. The day my husband said he had to join the team to search for people who were swept away, I couldn't sleep. I imagined the strong currents and the surging water, and I was scared. Hearing the news that the bodies had been found, and hearing my husband call to say they were safe, I finally breathed a sigh of relief.
- In times of natural disasters and calamities, we have to participate. We know it's dangerous, but it's our duty. My husband hasn't been home yet, he still has to stay at the office and when there's an order, he'll go right away.
- My life and hers are hard. Not only does my husband have to work at night, but in times of emergency, there are always soldiers and police. Recently, 3 police officers sacrificed their lives while they were on a rescue mission, responding to natural disasters. Thinking about the scene of struggling to do their duty when thousands of cubic meters of earth and rock suddenly fell from above, I feel so sad. In peacetime, people still have to sacrifice.
Lan held Mai's hand gently to comfort her. She was talking to Mai but also encouraging herself.
- I have chosen the profession, now I will try to encourage you to complete the mission. Everyone is afraid of danger, if they don't do it, who will? By helping people in times of trouble, I will receive more happiness.
Both Mai and Lan fell into deep thought.
- It's August already, the weather is starting to turn to autumn, hopefully the rains will gradually lessen. After the rain, the sky will be clear again, everything will be fine, right grandma. Lan smiled at Mai.
- Yes, it's August already, how fast. Now it's time to prepare school supplies and books for the kids.
- Your eldest child is in 7th grade this year. Do you still have her 6th grade textbooks? During the recent flood relief, Hoa's 6th grade textbooks were all wet. We dried them out but I'm afraid they won't work. If you don't mind, give them to her.
- Of course, my child takes good care of the books. Every year I collect them and give them to those who need them. I will go back and collect them and give them to my child. And ask around the area if there are any children who do not have books or clothes for school. We will make a list and call for support. I know a charity group that collects books and clothes to give to students in need every new school year. I will connect them so that we can give them to them this time.
- That's great!
The sunlight filtered through the tree canopy and shone down on the two figures. The gentle morning sunlight sparkled and played, dancing on their shoulders, as if to warm their kindred spirits. Lan saw somewhere the eyes filled with joy and happiness of the children because they had received gifts. Just like her, they were grateful for the gifts they had received. And that love would last forever, continuing and multiplying over time.
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