The short conversation between mother and daughter made my heart strangely quiet. Perhaps, I have never cherished the moments with my family so much. Being away from home for three years, pursuing the so-called dream, the artistic path, but forgetting the so-called family. Three years studying away from home, for everyone, going home for Tet is simple and easy, but for me, it is a whole world of longing.
Little children look forward to every minute, every second to return to the warm home they call home, to lean on their parents and tell them about their frustrations in life, about their achievements, about their unforgettable trips. What about their parents? They also look forward to their children's return every day. All year long, they work hard, worry about every meal, raise their children to study, there is not a single day that parents do not look forward to their children. Promising each other a family reunion meal seems easy but is actually so difficult.
I remember when I was a kid, every time Tet came, I would chatter and ask my mother to take me to the market to buy things. I went to the market to buy shrimp, fish, meat to make special dishes, and some dong leaves to wrap banh chung. I remember it so strangely. When I went with my mother, I couldn't help but stop by the shops to have some banh loc, banh beo, and some fried dough sticks before returning home. Sometimes I would buy some snacks for my younger siblings. Every time like that, my father at home would grumble at me and my mother why we were gone for so long. I just smiled. The children in the house were happy because their mother bought them banh chung.
The younger siblings stayed at home with dad, helping with cleaning the house and decorating the bonsai trees. After coming back from the market, I also rolled up my sleeves to help them. One mopped the floor, one swept the trash, and one tidied up the long table and chairs in the house that we called a nightmare. The sisters laughed and talked animatedly, very happily. This year, dad went to the bonsai market early so he chose a big peach tree with a big trunk. Dad trimmed it, decorated it with colorful lucky money envelopes and a few peace balls to wish the family all the best in the new year.
Every spring, my mother would go to the kitchen to prepare a New Year's Eve meal to gather all the family members together. Every year, the meal tray always had my sister's favorite meat jelly, my father's Thai Binh brawn, and the root soup with shrimp that I wanted. Only when winter came, my mother would go to the backyard to dig up the biggest, firmest roots to make soup. My uncles who lived far away often joked that it was porridge served with rice, but the best. I miss root soup so much. Because no matter where I went, I ate many unique and delicious dishes, I could never forget the root soup my mother cooked. Roots were carefully selected by my mother, grated to cook with ground river shrimp. That was the most delicious, warmest New Year's Eve meal in the family.
That meal was the meal where we shared what we had done in the past years, what we had missed out on, and our goals for the new year. That meal was also filled with laughter, arguing over food, and fighting over who could serve rice to our parents. I miss the days when I helped my mother cook and washed piles of dishes when eating at relatives’ houses. I miss them so much!
Wandering around, living in many places, freely eating and drinking, sleeping when tired, eating when hungry, but never being able to hear the scolding and scolding of mother, the comforting and soothing of father. Sometimes all I crave is a meal - a so-called family meal.
It was only a few short days back home, but it left me with many emotions. Coming home, eating and sleeping with my parents, seeing that they were no longer healthy, with their hair already streaked with gray, my heart ached. Are my parents really old?
Many people feel that Tet is a time to rest, to go to peaceful places, to travel after months of hard work. But…. the most peaceful place is probably home. Parents are still waiting for us to return.
Those who still have a home and family should come back when Tet comes. Because parents are still waiting for us to return. Children living far away from home crave family meals, crave the scene of celebrating New Year's Eve with their parents, gathering to wrap and look after the cakes. Many times, seeing people return to their families makes me want to feel the same way. I also feel very lucky to realize that I still have my family to rely on.
Three years away from home, three years without being able to return home for Tet, without being able to hug my parents. Another year is about to pass, so many beautiful memories still linger. I will have to try harder, have more determination to turn into strength to complete my work well so that I can return to my beloved family. Tet is coming, everyone should take advantage of it if you can go home, don't let your parents wait. Wishing you a warm and happy Tet with your family.
HOANG THI CAM THU
Diem Dien Town - Thai Thuy District - Thai Binh Province
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