Urban Neighbors

In the morning, the sky was clear. The trees and leaves were turning in the cool breeze. In the garden on the apartment roof, the garden owner, a newly retired uncle, put a bag of freshly picked morning glory flowers in my hand: "Boiled or stir-fried with garlic, they are all delicious, remember to eat them immediately to keep them fresh, they are clean vegetables!"

That is the vegetable garden that I stop to admire every day when I walk on the rooftop. The green trees growing in the heart of the city, every time I look at them, my heart is filled with indescribable compassion. Because the trees do not grow naturally on the ground, where there is a source of nutrients from the mother earth, but have to bend under the hot sun from the concrete block at a towering height. Yet the trees still strive to grow leaves, branches, flowers and fruits, so just looking at them makes me feel pity. That is why when I receive the morning glory flowers from my uncle, my heart is filled with gratitude. Grateful for the trees, grateful for the people who grow and care for them. I also receive many such sincere feelings from my neighbors, in this apartment building in the heart of the city.

People say that only in the countryside can there be a sense of community. That’s true, because most people in the city come from all over. Partly because they don’t know anyone, partly because there’s too much work. Someone said that a day in the city is much shorter than in the countryside. I think it’s true. It’s shorter because everyone is busy working from early morning to late afternoon. Day after day, year after year, with no breaks for the harvest season, like the rice farmers in my hometown. The day is so short, that sometimes there’s not enough time for yourself, let alone other things.

I have lived in an apartment for 10 years. After the initial period of being busy with work, now I have time to calm down, observe more, feel more. I have just realized that behind those closed doors, the door of human love is still wide open. The neighbors next to my apartment are a young couple. Every weekend they close the door and go back to their hometown in Tien Giang . When they come up, they always carry a heavy bag of fruit, giving everyone a little to eat. One day, I couldn't get through when I called my door, so she hung it up in front; and it wasn't until the following month that I met her downstairs in the garage to thank her. Or on the floor above my house, there is Ms. Linh, a retired teacher, who cares a lot about other households. One time, after 9 pm, I had just come home from work when I heard a knock on the door. She came down to my room just to remind: "The water will be cut off until tomorrow morning, so take the time to take a shower and save water for use!" Then another time someone reminds them to collect the trash early today, to take it out so they don’t miss the beat until tomorrow… Just like that, those little things become the glue that binds people together in this place. Our grandparents have a saying “sell distant brothers, buy close neighbors” and it is not wrong. Those who live far from home and relatives feel this more clearly. Therefore, it is good if we have connections with the surroundings, to help each other in urgent situations. Instead of “closing the door”, let’s be more open and sincere with everyone.

Giving is receiving. The most obvious thing we receive is the warmth of human love, to see that life is always beautiful!

LIGHT

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/hang-xom-thanh-thi-post813986.html