But this year, instead of thinking about a long trip or a few leisurely coffee dates, you went in and out of the hospital, taking care of your sick mother. "Old age is like a child. Just healthy, then lying down again." You told the story over the phone, your voice was light, then you laughed softly. I felt sorry for you. Your summer, it turned out, had come in time, but not for playing around, but for showing filial piety. You said: "Luckily it fell right in the summer, I didn't have to ask for a long leave." A simple yet grateful blessing.
Every time we share together, I think to myself, everyone will eventually come to this point. When our parents gradually become weaker, I am still busy and cannot cut down on time, then I also begin to understand that, just being able to be with my loved ones is a great blessing. We quickly send a few lines of encouragement to the child who is in the hospital, while we ourselves are struggling in the so-called "summer" when adults do not have many options.
My family also planned to go to the beach next weekend. Only two days and one night, but it was still difficult. The eldest daughter was studying for her university exams, with a tight schedule; the youngest was going back and forth between extra classes and gifted classes; the mother was busy with unfinished work. The busiest man in the house agreed the easiest: "Let's go, I'm craving some cool sea breeze! And I'll probably have to bring my laptop to keep up with the work." I felt a little choked up, because of the simple wish to sit next to my wife and children, listening to the waves while still having to work.
Think about it, from the time we grow up, there is no such thing as a summer vacation. For 12 months, quarter after quarter, deadline after deadline, paying off the apartment loan, then buying a car... If anything, we just look forward to each holiday so we can temporarily leave that cycle, to feel like we are still "alive", not just surviving on work. Don't let anyone tell you, how much do you eat, how much do you spend, why are you so miserable, because the pressure is so heavy on your shoulders, it's obvious.
What color and taste do children have in summer these days? Is it a whole sky? When I was a child, I only looked forward to summer so I could sleep in, go out, and go back to my hometown. Now, sitting on the parent group, I am confused by the dense extracurricular schedule and skills that children have to carry. I console myself that summer is still the season of childhood, just a little different, so what!
So what is summer for mom and dad? It is the days of waking up early to cook rice, quickly making some food to prepare before leaving the house. It is carefully planning a short and economical trip for the whole family while answering emails from partners and customers. It is the evenings when we take the time to prepare reports or check the books when the "summer block" has gone to sleep. However, I believe that summer is still here, in the smallest moments. Like when the whole family has dinner together without anyone holding their phones, the child knows how to cut an orange and make mom a cool glass of orange juice, when dad and I clean up the small potted plants on the terrace together, or mom quietly sorts out the beach clothes that are now a bit too short and tight... Summer is the time when people step back a little, to touch each other with their presence. There is no need to go somewhere far or luxurious. Having each other is enough.
My friend is still taking care of her mother in the hospital, I’m planning a trip to the beach, my son is sitting among his friends drawing funny pictures for a school project, my husband is still sitting at work under the sound of the waves crashing into his tired memories. And we, the parents, are patiently going through our summer.
Slow, full of worries, but still strangely warm.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/mua-he-cua-me-cua-con-cua-chung-ta-185250712204607209.htm
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