Even though years have passed, the memories of my childhood with my parents and loved ones remain vivid in my mind. My childhood was marked by hardship; good food and nice clothes were hard to come by, but in return, every home was filled with love and laughter.

Illustration photo: TRINH XUAN LUC

Even now, whenever I recall those times, I still vividly picture those simple meals, those summer afternoons spent playing with friends, those moonlit nights gathered on the porch, and the image of the genuine, kind-hearted people of my hometown. These ordinary things, unassuming and not grandiose, have stayed with me throughout my life as an indispensable part of my memories.

Among those fragments of memories, there is the image of my uncle, a kind and generous man to his children and grandchildren. I still remember how much he loved his nieces and nephews, especially me, the sickly child he had to take care of all day whenever my parents were away. Although he cycled dozens of kilometers every day to work as a laborer in a pressed bamboo factory, as soon as he got home, he would always rush upstairs to see if I had eaten or if I needed any help. Now, having his own family, every time he returns to his hometown, he always prepares local gifts for my family to take with us.

My uncle is an excellent cook, especially skilled at pickling vegetables like cucumbers and eggplants, which I absolutely love. Therefore, whenever he knows my family is coming home, he prepares them in advance, and among the gifts I bring from home, he always carefully packs these "hometown delicacies" so that I can satisfy my longing for the familiar flavors of the past.

Since my father passed away, my uncle has been like a father to me. Growing up and moving away from home, each of us has our own life, but my uncle has remained the same over the years, always loving me unconditionally, always wanting me to have the best life possible, with more peace and less worry.

When the pressures of life weigh heavily on our shoulders, we often long to return to that peaceful place of the past, where there is boundless love from family and loved ones. People from the countryside are honest and simple; although they may not have material wealth, their genuine affection always moves people to tears.

Every time I leave the peaceful countryside to return to the bustling city, the baggage I carry with me is the affection of my loved ones back home, including my uncle, who has remained simple and down-to-earth for so many years, and the humble gifts from the countryside that contain such warm and sincere feelings...

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/van-hoa/van-hoc-nghe-thuat/moc-mac-nguoi-que-1039815