July Emotions

July. Rain. The city of Da Lat, where I live and work, is engulfed in prolonged, incessant rain. Many streets are flooded, landslides have occurred, houses have been swept away, people have died, and several officials have been suspended from their duties and are facing prosecution.

Agricultural products in flooded areas were almost completely lost. It's probably due to climate change, because after noon, the sky turns a dark gray and hangs low. The rain pours down relentlessly, the water rushing in, and the downpours last for hours. The rain makes the streets even more congested as more cars take to the road, slowing down traffic, even though everyone is hurrying along in the gloomy atmosphere. And, the rain evokes so many emotions for those of us far from home. The longing for home during these July days fills my soul with a mixture of joy and sadness.

Illustrative image.

In my hometown, in July, the rain would turn the dirt roads into muddy puddles, with water pooling in white patches. On moonless nights, walking along the village roads, I would always murmur the proverb our ancestors had coined from life experience: "Avoid white in the rain, avoid black in the sun." Because when it rains, the white areas are puddles of water, and walking into them would get your clothes wet; when it's sunny, the black areas are mud, and walking into them would leave you covered in mud. My parents were farmers; on sunny days, they hoped for rain so the land would be fresh, the trees would be green, and the harvest would be bountiful. But heavy rain brought so many worries: fear of floods and crop failure, worry that the harvested rice wouldn't dry and would sprout, worry about the dilapidated thatched roof leaking into the house at night, leaving us with nowhere to sleep… I've been away from my hometown for over 30 years, but when July comes, the rainy season always fills my heart with nostalgia for those hard days in my beloved poor village, filled with countless memories. There were nights in July when it wasn't raining but the power went out; in the evening, the whole family would spread mats out in the yard, gathering together to enjoy the cool breeze. The children would listen to their grandmother tell fairy tales like "The Kindhearted Cinderella," "Thach Sanh and Ly Thong," "Son Tinh and Thuy Tinh," "Sticky Rice Cakes and Sticky Rice Cakes," etc.; the young people would sing love songs to each other or chat about their work that day and plan for tomorrow... Even now, those moments always linger in my memory, sometimes I remember them completely, sometimes I forget the beginning and the end. But those bygone moments were the happiest time of my childhood. Later, as I grew up, I couldn't find them again, not even once, living in the dreamy city. The years of poverty and hardship passed, and family life became a reunion with both parents; siblings gradually drifted apart over the years; the humble thatched house gave way to spacious, modern homes, but without the laughter.

Along with the natural course of things, I have also grown up over time, and July has become inextricably linked to me. After graduating from university, I found a job in the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs; therefore, July, the month of gratitude, the month of repaying kindness, the month of remembrance and nostalgia, is filled with sacred emotions. This is the time when the entire Party, the entire people, and the entire army organize many practical and meaningful activities for war invalids, families of martyrs, and those who have contributed to the revolution. Throughout the history of our country, the tradition of "repaying kindness" and "remembering the source of the water" has been built and preserved by generations of Vietnamese people to express gratitude for the sacrifices of those who died for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland. In the wars to defend the Fatherland, millions of Vietnamese sons and daughters enthusiastically took up arms and fought on battlefields across the country; Many people bravely sacrificed their lives, or lost parts of their bodies, becoming wounded soldiers, sick soldiers, or victims of Agent Orange, affecting generations of their descendants. The State prioritizes the awarding and posthumous awarding of the prestigious titles "Heroic Vietnamese Mother" and "Hero of the People's Armed Forces." Young volunteers and civilian workers who participated in the wars to defend the Fatherland, as well as those who rendered meritorious service and their families, receive monthly allowances from the State; they also benefit from health insurance and funeral expenses upon their death… These policies have been with me throughout my nearly 30 years of service.

This year, July arrived with unusually heavy rains, flooding, and landslides in the Central Highlands, making me feel melancholic; I've been thinking more and worrying more about the future and the destruction of nature by humans. Climate change is inevitable. Crop diseases and pests are a major concern for farmers. Reading the article "Dragon Fruit Continues its Declining Price?" in the Binh Thuan newspaper by Kieu Hang, I found the following passage: "In the past few days, it's not difficult to see in dragon fruit growing areas the image of farmers harvesting fruit and piling it up at the base of the trees, or transporting it to be dumped along the roadside. According to our research, this is the main crop of dragon fruit, which was infected with brown spot disease during harvest, so traders rejected it because it didn't meet export standards, selling it only for 2,000-3,000 VND/kg..." I felt deeply saddened and sympathetic for the farmers of Binh Thuan in particular and farmers nationwide in general. The poor quality of agricultural products is partly due to climate change, with unfavorable rainfall and wind conditions, leading to an increase in insect pests that damage crops, and preventing fruits and vegetables from thriving despite farmers' best efforts in caring for them.

As July arrives, and children temporarily leave their books behind, my hope is that students will have enjoyable field trips and extracurricular learning experiences with their families. Farmers will overcome countless difficulties in their labor and production to improve their lives. Especially on the occasion of the 76th anniversary of the Day of War Invalids and Martyrs (July 27, 1947 – July 27, 2023), fresh flowers and incense sticks are offered at memorials and martyrs' cemeteries nationwide to pay tribute to the beloved sons and daughters of Vietnam who "sacrificed themselves for the country" for national independence and reunification as we know it today.

Source: https://baobinhthuan.com.vn/cam-xuc-thang-bay-110871.html