The final moments of the year

The end of the year is a special time, when the pace of life seems to slow down, allowing each person to quietly reflect on the journey that has passed. From simple moments amidst the hustle and bustle of work and daily worries, a year filled with difficulties gradually comes to a close, opening up hope for a new year of happiness and peace.

In the final days of the year, the small house of Mrs. Phan Thi Lien (62 years old, in Phu Phong village, Hoa Thinh commune) is still cluttered with building materials. The sounds of hammers and chisels, mixed with the laughter and chatter of soldiers, are helping her complete the final tasks. The house is not yet finished, but for Mrs. Lien, it is a new beginning after days when she felt she had nothing left to cling to.

Recalling the historic flood at the end of November, her voice softened: “In my life, I’ve never seen a flood as big as this. The water rose so quickly, my husband and I couldn’t react in time, nor could we move to a safe place. Initially, we took shelter upstairs, but then the water rose even higher, and my husband and I sat on the roof for a whole night and a day.”

As the floodwaters began to recede, Mrs. Lien and her husband had just moved downstairs when their house suddenly collapsed. Under the ruined roof, floodwaters were still deep. In that life-or-death moment, a nephew managed to rescue them both. That night, they stayed at a neighbor's house, and then were taken by rescue forces to the commune's People's Committee office for temporary shelter.

“When the floodwaters receded and we returned home, we found everything in ruins. Our house was gone, and our children were far away, with nowhere to turn for support,” Mrs. Lien said, cooking in her makeshift house next to the new house under construction.

During those difficult times, the timely support from the State and the armed forces became a great pillar of strength for her family. The new house was started, each brick laid representing the culmination of hard work, responsibility, and sharing from the community. "Now the house is almost finished, I just hope to have a new house to live in before Tet, a place to shelter from the rain and sun," Mrs. Lien said, her eyes shining with hope.

At the end of the year, standing before her new house that was gradually taking shape, Mrs. Lien didn't think much about what she had lost, but quietly felt the warmth of human kindness – something that had supported her during the most difficult times and given her renewed faith to welcome a more peaceful new spring.

In the quiet flow of the year-end days, elsewhere, Corporal Vo Dac Danh (from Phu Khanh village, Tay Hoa commune), a soldier of the 2nd Mechanized Reconnaissance Company, Staff Department - Dak Lak Provincial Military Command, is still busy with his assigned duties.

During the historic floods that devastated many areas in the eastern part of the province, Danh and his comrades braved the dangers, plunging into the raging waters to rescue the people. Even after the water receded, these young soldiers continued to stand on the front lines, assisting the people in rebuilding their lives. For them, it wasn't anything special, but rather the natural responsibility of a soldier when the people are in need.

“There were days when we could barely distinguish between day and night. Heavy rain, slippery roads, but my colleagues and I still tried to reach each residential area, assist with evacuations, provide relief, and help people overcome the aftermath of the floods,” Corporal Vo Dac Danh shared.

Corporal Vo Dac Danh (left) and his comrades stay put to help people in flood-affected areas rebuild their homes after the natural disaster. Photo: L. Hao

In the final days of the year, when many people begin planning to return home for family reunions, Danh and his teammates continue their mission. Together, they rebuild houses, clear mud and debris, transport supplies, and assist disadvantaged families in stabilizing their lives.

Danh said that what moved him most wasn't facing the floods, but seeing people able to return to their homes. "Just seeing people safe, with shelter, and smiles on their faces makes all the fatigue disappear," he said.

For young soldiers, the end of 2025 isn't associated with lavish meals or celebratory greetings, but rather with the feeling of happiness knowing they've contributed a small part to maintaining peace for others.

As the clock ticks towards the transition between the old and new year, and spring melodies fill the shops along the streets, the rhythmic sweeping of sanitation workers intensifies. Amidst this bustling activity, there are those who quietly walk along the sidewalks, collecting every piece of trash to keep the city clean and tidy in preparation for the new year.

Amidst the bustling crowds of end-of-year shoppers, Phan Thi Mai, an environmental sanitation worker, quietly goes about her work. Having been in the profession for over 10 years, she's become accustomed to the busy end-of-year period. "During holidays, New Year's Day, or Lunar New Year, almost 100% of the workers have to take turns working continuously. Sometimes we don't get home until 11 pm, only then can we take time to care for our families," Mai confided.

The smile of a sanitation worker after a hard day's work . Photo: Q. Anh

The hardship wasn't just the sheer volume of work at the end of the year, but also the cold, rainy nights in the highlands, her feet hunched over in plastic boots as she swept and cleaned. Her husband passed away early, leaving her to single-handedly raise and educate her two children. Now, her children are grown and have stable jobs. For her, that is the most precious "spring blessing," giving this hardworking mother peace of mind to continue her journey of beautifying the streets.

Sharing that same persistent spirit is Ms. Ninh Thi Huong, who has been dedicated to the profession for 18 years. She knows every street corner and every route by heart. The memory of the accident at the end of 2024 on Le Duan Street is still vivid, when she was hit by a motorbike and thrown onto the sidewalk, requiring her to be hospitalized for 4 months with broken bones. However, as soon as her wounds healed, she returned to her familiar bamboo broom.

According to Mr. Nguyen Xuan Cao, Deputy Team Leader of the Sanitation Team ( Dak Lak Urban and Environmental Joint Stock Company), the team of 166 people represents 166 different circumstances. Some are new to the job, some have been involved for over 20 years, and there are even married couples who work together to maintain the green, clean, and beautiful appearance of their homeland.

Quietly and without fanfare, these ordinary moments bring to a close a year full of changes. And from them, the hope for a happy and peaceful new year is quietly shared…

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/xa-hoi/202512/nhung-khoanh-khac-cuoi-nam-6300455/