When asked about the other two authors, I was startled because placed next to them, I felt like a tree growing secretly by the fence, then secretly blooming compared to the two tall, majestic trees inside the school yard. They were my teacher, Professor Huynh Nhu Phuong and writer Pham Cong Luan, a "Saigon scholar" whom I always admired.
Author Truong Gia Hoa
Photo: PROVIDED BY CHARACTER
I asked her why she chose me, and her answer couldn't be simpler than "I like going to the bookstore and reading your books, that's all". Yes, it's all fate, all thanks to the fate of the great love for Ho Chi Minh City that led to this lovely reunion.
The beloved city has become flesh and blood
I have a hometown with grandparents, parents and hundreds of loving ties in Trang Bang, Tay Ninh . On April 30, 1975, my parents were in Saigon to prepare to "warmly welcome their child", but the excitement and nervousness were too much, my mother could not "focus on her profession".
So I packed my bags and went back to my hometown. 13 days later, my mother gave birth to me with the help of a local midwife, not at Tu Du Hospital as planned. I am a child of peace , even my home name is a symbol of peace: Dove.
My father said that at that time he did not think much, simply to stop the shooting meant to stop the death, how precious life is. My father named his son to remind him of a special event. Likewise, in 1979, when my younger brother was born, the country was in a myriad of difficulties, the standard of necessities given to teachers at that time included sorghum, so now, I have a younger brother named Cao Luong.
My parents felt sorry for raising Bo Cau and Cao Luong in such a deprived way. Strangely, my sisters and I were only happy, because we didn’t know anything to compare, we just grew up like plants. There were still sparkling stars, joyful rains to remember, to brew wine for life. And with that mindset, when I entered university, I raised the earthenware pot back to my hometown, using the sound of car horns as the melody of my 17 years old.
A new journey begins. 33 years later, when Ho Chi Minh City started the atmosphere of 50 years of national reunification, I was startled and did a mental calculation, it turned out that the time the city had raised me was twice as long as the time I had been in the countryside. But if you ask me how much I have "lived in the city", I don't know, when meeting new people I say: "Yes sir, I am from the countryside...".
Not that I'm ungrateful, but it seems like there are many people like me. Everyone keeps a smoky hometown behind them, and a city that has become flesh and blood now. Just hanging around in two places, in the city I miss my hometown, but after a few days back home I feel restless, missing the urgent car horns when waiting at red lights, missing the cry of the old bread seller who likes to listen to bolero in the late afternoon to escape the sun. His cry echoes in Tan Phu, very special: "Bread! Handsome but unattractive! Sold forever!...".
Some works by author Truong Gia Hoa
Photo: PROVIDED BY CHARACTER
Every day I still wait to hear the familiar cry to laugh, every laugh is like the first time. Every time I laugh, I love Tan Phu, love Ho Chi Minh City more. Being a person living in this city, the heart must have many compartments. That has made this place more spacious, made this urban area gentle without being cramped and harsh.
Being born in 1975 and then having my son in 2000, I find it an interesting coincidence. Whenever my birthday approaches, I read the newspaper or watch TV and remember my age. My son is the same, he is the same age as in 2000. How lucky for a bad calculus person like me!
Hit rock bottom to know how precious life is
There was a time when I was in charge of the Sharing Living Space column for the Architecture and Life magazine . I kept writing about my small space and my thoughts on fate and love. Then naturally, the vine of words reached out to the streets and soul of Saigon. The love for this land was already there, seeping into the pages, every week, every month. Then the books were printed, without any intention, 2 out of 3 of my essay books were written for Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City, written under the protection of this land.
You know, at the age of 40, walking among the flags of the 40th anniversary of the country's reunification, I received a very bad result from the hospital. Everything could have been closed, forever. But miraculously, now, sitting here writing for the 50th anniversary publication, I only feel overwhelmed with gratitude for my luck. 10 strange years of my life have just passed. Sometimes desperate, sometimes full of thoughts. Painful but fierce, hitting rock bottom to know how precious life is.
How precious life is, I want to say it again because during the time Ho Chi Minh City was in trouble because of Covid-19 , unfortunately I was taking care of my mother in the hospital in my hometown. Every passing minute was waiting for news and praying. I watched a short clip, the streets were deserted in the twilight. Tears welled up in my eyes because of pity. The city was really sick, seriously sick.
When my mother was stable, I crossed the station to return home with a special pass. The city had no smiles. Without people, the city was truly tragic. But that was also the time when I believed Ho Chi Minh City would overcome.
Just as I have known many times that I am weak and fragile, but with some grace, with some original energy of this city, I have overcome the darkness of my life. I believe that there will be millions of people who will light up a bright light, a light of fierce life for the city. Or very gently: Saigon, let's breathe slowly and deeply!
Today, I am 50 years old, Ho Chi Minh City celebrates 50 years of national reunification. In my honest and easy-going way, I think I will live for another 50 years and am imagining the 100th anniversary festival… Well, because I have lived here for a long time, so, well, let’s just do it!
Truong Gia Hoa was born on May 13, 1975 in Trang Bang, Tay Ninh province. Graduated from Ho Chi Minh City University of Science. Used to be an editor for a number of publishing houses and newspapers such as Saigon Marketing , Ho Chi Minh City Law ...
She is currently a freelance writer and craftswoman.
Previously published: Waves between mother and brother (poetry collection), Do you dream tonight? (essay, awarded by the Ho Chi Minh City Writers Association in 2017), Saigon on the old porch, falling sunlight (essay), Saigon breathes slowly, breathes deeply (essay)...
The essay Fragrant Leaves by author Truong Gia Hoa was selected for the 8th grade Literature Textbook, Creative Horizon series.
Thanhnien.vn
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/50-nam-dat-nuoc-thong-nhat-dua-con-cua-hoa-binh-185250429160352639.htm
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