Memory

Life was like a slow-motion movie flashing through his mind. From a remote countryside, he followed his unit to settle in this sunny and windy Central region. His military life brought him and his wife together, a teacher who loved raising children. They got married and had children one after another in the small house that he and his wife built. Due to his job, he traveled far and wide, and she took care of the children by herself. After nearly 40 years of living together, he rarely had time to take his wife and children out for a walk or a trip. Retiring early, he wanted to make up for the past few months for her, even if it was small, by preparing breakfasts for her like she had prepared for him. When she retired, the old couple went swimming in the morning and played badminton in the afternoon at the seaside park.

Then she discovered she was sick and didn't have much time left. One day in the middle of the week, she passed away peacefully with her family. Losing her was a shock to him. In a flash, it had been a year since she said goodbye to him. A year had passed so heavily for him. The feeling of loneliness and emptiness reappeared, but the dedication she wrote on the book she loved so much when she was alive, "Love of Life" by Jack London, seemed to comfort him: "We need to realize that we cannot change reality, learn to accept and cherish every moment you have. Love is in you, and will go with you."

Outside, the night was very quiet, only the sound of leaves falling on the porch could be heard.

LAM QUYEN

Source: https://baokhanhhoa.vn/xa-hoi/202503/ky-uc-ba74789/