From the bustling market alley, following the small path leading to the house, I felt like I was entering a completely different space—quiet, clean, and faintly scented with osmanthus flowers, which brought a sense of peace and tranquility to my soul.
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| Mr. Hung and Mrs. Luu with their trophies and medals. |
The house, nestled deep in an alley, wasn't large but was spacious and cozy, a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of the market street. The moment I stepped through the doorway, what caught my attention were the four glass cabinets against the living room wall, next to a large framed photograph of four generations of the family.
Inside the cabinet, medals of all sizes, big and small, hung densely, crammed together and glittering under the neon light. And that wasn't all; on another, larger cabinet, a long row of trophies of all sizes was displayed. The metallic reflections made the room seem even brighter. In response to the host's greeting, I was mesmerized by the sparkling light. Overwhelmed with delight, I said jokingly:
Wow! I can't believe how rich you two are! Your house is full of gold and silver! How many awards have you won in total?
As Mr. Hung rinsed the teapot, he spoke softly:
- I can't remember at all. In the early years, we could keep track of how many awards, medals, and trophies we won, but later on, I don't remember because sports is a professional field, so nobody keeps records. We just knew that if we competed, we'd win something; we never came home empty-handed.
Mrs. Lu followed my gaze, smiled kindly, and continued her husband's words:
- There are so many, too many to count. These display cases are full, so the kids took some to their shops to hang them up. It's a shame that some of the medals and trophies were damaged in the recent flood.
Those words made my heart sink. Those medals, once cherished and imbued with sweat and tears, could not escape the ravages of time and natural disasters...
I met Mrs. Luu because we were both members of a retirement club in the province. If you met her for the first time, with her short haircut framing her kind face and rosy complexion, coupled with the healthy, agile physique of a professional athlete, no one would guess she was sixty-four years old.
She is one of the few members who quickly grasp the technical movements taught by the instructors and possesses excellent memory and cognitive abilities. She is sociable and enthusiastic, guiding other women in the club through difficult movements to help them practice together.
When I asked, "When did you first discover your love for this sport?"
She slowly recounted, "Perhaps I inherited it from my family. My father used to boast that he was a pole vaulter. But more than 70 years ago, sports weren't widespread, and there weren't the opportunities for interaction and integration like there are now. I have two older brothers, also athletes. My brother used to play football for the Thể Công club. I myself started playing sports when I entered high school, and it was also my favorite subject. After training sessions, my teachers discovered my talent and selected me for the national team. In the 6th grade (10/10 system), I was chosen to compete in the national athletics competition, in the individual all-around event, and won 10th place. Back then, only 1st to 15th place was awarded, but being in that top group for the first time was a huge achievement."
While pouring tea for her guests, she shared: "Sports is my passion and also my way of life. I choose an active lifestyle, constantly training myself. Driven by my passion, I chose to apply to the University of Physical Education and Sports in Tu Son, Bac Ninh ."
Sports also led me to meet my husband, my lifelong partner. At the time, he was a soldier sent to study, and I was a newly enrolled university student. After graduating, we got married in 1985, a time when the country was facing immense difficulties.
Back then, times were tough and food was scarce. Everyone went to school and training, eating only cornmeal and other mixed grains. But we were young and healthy then, so we considered it normal. Our family life began amidst difficult and deprived times, but we remained optimistic. During the time I gave birth to my first child, I had to take a three-year break from competition, only teaching and then returning home. Even with a young child, I never thought about giving up sports because it was my profession and my passion. With the support of my parents-in-law, I started training again when my child turned three.
Mrs. Luu took a sip of tea, her gaze distant as if reminiscing about the past: "The tears I remember most vividly are the happiest tears in my family's sporting career. In 2018, my whole family won tennis medals at the Thai Nguyen Provincial Championship."
The sight of my parents and two children standing on the podium receiving the award overwhelmed me with joy. When they brought the award home, my parents-in-law were tearful, cherishing their children's achievement, which brought tears to my eyes as well. Afterwards, they went around showing it off because, for them, this wasn't just a family joy, but also an honor for the province's sports. In that moment, I felt like I saw a flame of passion being passed on to their children and grandchildren.
Turning to Mr. Hung, I asked how he got involved in sports. Mr. Hung smiled kindly and shared, "Sports chose me, not the other way around." Actually, I once wanted to study at the Maritime University because I wanted to travel to many places, but fate led me to sports, and I've been involved with it my whole life. I mainly play football, but I also coach many other sports for various organizations. Whenever there's a competition, my wife and I go together. Opposing teams are very wary of facing the Hung-Luu duo.
He smiled and said, "It's not because our team was overwhelmingly dominant, it's just that there's something not everyone understands: in competition, the worst thing is for athletes to have unstable mental fortitude, poor physical fitness, underestimate their opponents, and most importantly, to cultivate self-control so they aren't easily swayed by their rivals."
For Mr. Hung, once you're on the field, you have to respect yourself and your opponent. Therefore, he resolutely says no to negativity in sports. Because for him, no competition is more important than self-respect.
For Mrs. Liu, the most memorable image is that of her three-year-old son following her out to the yard. When she gave him toys like plastic guns and cars, the little boy pushed them away and ran to lift his mother's racket, standing on tiptoe and stretching his arms, making his first movements. At that moment, she hugged him close, certain that this small moment would be a long journey for future generations...
As the years passed, the two sons grew up in the atmosphere and sporting spirit of their parents, naturally developing their talents. Their abilities became increasingly apparent. At 13, they competed in the national badminton championship. Both were then selected for the Thai Nguyen provincial team. They practiced in the mornings and went to school in the afternoons, yet they remained outstanding students.
In 10th grade, my son took the entrance exam for the Chemistry specialization and passed with the highest score. In 11th grade, he was selected by the school to participate in the national excellent student competition, winning third prize at the advanced level. And what makes the family even prouder is that both of them were admitted to Hanoi University of Science and Technology. This achievement surprised many people, given his athletic talent, but for his grandparents, it was the natural result of a process of intellectual and physical training.
Their eldest son is currently a first-level athlete. With such achievements, many families would likely steer their children towards a professional sports career. However, Mr. Hung respects his children's decision, saying, "With his knowledge and talent, I believe he will contribute more to the country in other fields."
Mrs. Lu continued, adding to her husband's words: "The children have been playing sports with their parents since they were young because there's a tradition in the family; perhaps that 'sports gene' has been passed down from their grandparents' generation. Although they didn't pursue professional sports, our son still left a remarkable mark."
In 2004, he was invited to participate in the six-province tournament, defeating a national champion and winning first place. His wife later became a national team athlete, having competed in national championships. His second son also embodies the same sporting spirit: courage, discipline, never underestimating opponents, and never giving up in the face of difficulties…
In the neighborhood, only their family still has four generations living together under one roof. Four generations living together – once commonplace – has become rare in today's urban life. For many years, their family has been recognized as a model cultural family.
During the early spring season, the couple are invited for interviews on the program "Exemplary Grandparents - Filial Children and Grandchildren" not only because of their sporting achievements, but also because of their family values and lifestyle that earn them such respect.
Ms. Luu confided: "Despite their advanced age, the elders still address each other as 'brother' and 'sister' as they did when they were young. The way they talk, show consideration, and care for each other every day naturally makes the children and grandchildren feel that they should live in a way that is also respectful and proper"...
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As we chatted, I observed them as they spoke. Every time they mentioned a tournament or a dramatic match, they would turn to look at each other. I saw in their eyes a glint of something both familiar and affectionate. Perhaps just a nod or a slight smile was enough for them to know what the other was thinking. This is something I rarely see in other families.
The elders often say that the Monkey and the Tiger are incompatible zodiac signs, yet Mr. and Mrs. Hung Luu have maintained a harmonious and peaceful life for decades. This is thanks to their mutual understanding and compromise. Sometimes, the couple couldn't avoid disagreements and arguments. But downstairs, in front of the elders, no one dared raise their voice. The couple would then wink at each other and go upstairs to "talk things over."
However, after climbing about ten steps, each person had time to ask themselves where they were right and where they were wrong… Thinking a little more, giving each other a moment of restraint, the anger naturally subsided, and therefore there was never any conflict or hurtful words in the family…
Mrs. Lu added: "Now it's my grandchildren's turn. They're still young, under a lot of academic pressure, but they've already shown talent, especially in swimming. One of them, only in second grade, can swim 600-700 meters. Imagining those children, so agile in the water, I suddenly realized: 'A flame of passion has been rekindled in this house.' Outside, the spring rain was still falling gently, but inside this house, sparkling with medals, the atmosphere was truly warm."
Now, at the ages of 70 and 64 respectively, they still play four sports. And as Mr. Hung once said, "Every time we compete, we bring home a trophy."
I said goodbye to my family. My gaze lingered on the four glass display cases, each containing an item that bore the mark of a journey I had taken. If you looked at them, you would surely think the same as me: the most precious thing is not the countless medals, but the family tradition forged in sweat, discipline, and love.
And I suddenly thought that when a family knows how to pass on the flame of passion, the flame of character, and cultivate a way of life for themselves, that flame will be a guiding light for many generations to come.
Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/xa-hoi/202604/dieu-con-lai-sau-nhung-chiec-huy-chuong-8df33f2/
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