Tet and nostalgia

I don't know how many Tet holidays I've been away from my hometown, but I feel sad when I remember the days before Tet in Phan Thiet - how happy and bustling!

I still remember the last lessons of the year, both teachers and students were excited... The lovely and warm wishes: - "I wish you a happy and warm Tet with your family". "On behalf of my classmates, I wish you a peaceful and happy spring"...

Now here - the splendid Ho Chi Minh City, the Tet season is equally bustling, but why does the feeling of a person far away from home always reminisce about the Tet seasons of his hometown... Remembering the Tet holidays in Phan Thiet, I started walking around the road along the Ca Ty River to find beautiful wild apricot blossoms to bring home to display in the living room to welcome the new year, then went with my family to the night market to buy supplies, food... for the first days of the year. Walking around the streets of Tran Hung Dao, Hung Vuong... to buy fresh flower pots to place in predetermined positions on the porch, wall corners. Especially in front of the house there is a mai tree, in the cold air of the days before Tet it has already filled with lovely buds, preparing to bloom to welcome the New Year.

In the first days of spring, students come to the house to wish each other a happy new year. The happiest thing for teachers on this occasion is when their old students come back to visit or simply call to ask about and wish each other a happy new year. Suddenly, their hearts are moved and choked with emotion. They will always remember the image of motorbikes lurking outside the gate, heads peeking in. The house is bustling and bustling again. Like a flock of warblers, the students laugh and talk nonstop about all kinds of things under the sun. Wow! They are all almost grown up! It is a joy to see students firmly on the path of education, students who are about to become teachers, engineers, journalists... they have been resilient in the midst of life, making a living and studying. Whether in bustling Saigon or in the faraway sunny and windy Central region, the students come to visit their teachers and it is also an opportunity to meet with old friends. Their figure, hairstyle, clothes, and voices have all changed somewhat, but only their friendship and teacher-student relationship remain intact like the old days.

Teachers' Tet is very simple and rustic! No lavish feasts, no lavish wishes, just the heart giving each other love, remembrance, respect... That is definitely the most precious gift for teachers who have stood on the podium.

Having been away from home and beloved students for more than ten years, although in the age of information technology people can talk to each other more easily without having to meet, the emotional distance between people is also gradually growing farther, although there are other relationships that influence life, the gratitude between teachers and students remains the same! Teachers are still the "hometown apple trees" - ready to give shade and sweet fruit.

On spring days, besides the joy and excitement of welcoming the new year, retired teachers often leave in their hearts the "imprints of time", their souls have the opportunity to return to memories and beautiful memories of the past!

The nostalgia for the Tet holidays in my hometown is always present in me...

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