Youthful

Remembering the days when I was a high school student, March was the most beautiful time for me. Those were the afternoons after school, we lingered in the school yard, rehearsed performances for the founding day of the Union, eagerly prepared for competitions to learn about the traditions of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, or did volunteer work, campfire nights, gathered together to sing songs of youth. At that time, I just thought that these activities helped me have fun, make more friends. But later, when I looked back, I realized that it was those years that helped me grow up, helped me understand what collective spirit is, not afraid of difficulties, not afraid of hardships, and being able to devote myself.

And when I entered university, the green shirt still followed me, but in a different state of mind. I was no longer the innocent student I used to be, but I began to understand my responsibility to the community. The volunteer trips away from home, the times I supported children in remote areas with my fellow members showed me a larger world, helping me to love more. Those days, we walked on dusty red roads, sometimes covered in mud after the rain, but everyone smiled brightly. I always remember the sparkling eyes of the poor children when they received a package of cakes, a book, a new pen; I remember the image of an old man holding my hand tightly, with his eyes filled with emotion and a warm hug. It was those moments that helped me realize that youth is not only about having fun but also about small but meaningful actions, about knowing how to live for others instead of thinking only of yourself.

There is one memory that I will never forget. That was the time the whole volunteer team went to a remote mountainous commune of Bu Dang district, where the steep red dirt roads made traveling extremely difficult. The vehicle carrying the group kept slipping, so the whole group had to get off the vehicle and together carry each bag of rice and each box of instant noodles and walk for kilometers. When we arrived, everyone was exhausted and sweaty, but when we saw the smiles of the local people, all the fatigue suddenly disappeared. Together we repaired the old school, swept and repainted each peeling wall, rebuilt the damaged desks... In the evening, we gathered around the fire, sang familiar songs, told each other endless stories... In the middle of the wild mountains and forests, I suddenly realized that I was living in the most beautiful days of my youth.

Another time, my friends and I organized a program called “Spring of Love” for poor children. The night before the event, the whole group was busy preparing, some wrapping banh chung, some decorating the stage, some rehearsing the performance until late at night. The next day, when the program started, we anxiously waited for the children’s reactions. It was great because the children really enjoyed it and attentively followed each performance, their eyes shining and their laughter ringing. At that moment, I suddenly felt warm inside, that all our efforts were worth it. For me, it was not only a charity program but also a beautiful memory, a lesson in sharing that I will always carry with me.

Time flies. Suddenly looking back, I realize there are so many things that I did not have time to appreciate in the past. When I was young, I always wanted to grow up quickly, to go far away, to explore the big world out there. But when I have gone far enough, I long to return to those youthful days, to wander with friends on familiar roads, to live in the bustling atmosphere of group activities.

Some people say that youth is like a shower, it comes and goes very quickly, but what remains is always fresh and memorable. In March, I remember the old days, remember the green shirt of the past. I know I cannot turn back time, but I can keep the spirit of youth in my heart, so that no matter what age I am, I will still live life to the fullest, will still keep the fire of enthusiasm, will still move forward with a heart full of the brilliant youthful vitality of the past...

Source: https://baobinhphuoc.com.vn/news/73/170671/thanh-xuan-ruc-ro