Dad's simple happiness

Every day, amidst the hustle and bustle of life in a city more than a hundred kilometers away from home, I still find joy in my work, in my relationships with colleagues, in the colorful rhythm of life. Away from home, I always carry the love of my family, and one thing that warms my heart when I remember is going to school with my little daughter every day. It's simple, but it's a happiness that I always cherish.

For 12 years, since the day my child first entered kindergarten, my father and I have gone to school together every day. Every morning, when the first rays of sunlight still linger on the trees in front of the alley, my child chattered about the three new songs he had just learned, sometimes about this friend being reminded by the teacher, or that friend bringing a strange toy. As for me, the familiar driver of the “iron horse”, I just silently listened to my child talk, feeling strangely warm inside. When I arrived at the school gate, I gently adjusted the strap of my school bag, put on my child’s hat, and said the familiar words: “Be good at school!” My child turned around and smiled brightly, a smile as clear as the morning sun, giving me so much energy, lighting up in me the hope for a beautiful new day.

In the afternoon, I stood waiting for my child under the old royal poinciana tree in front of the school gate. The sunlight slanted through the leaves, sprinkling gold on my shoulders. The moment my child ran towards me, shouting “Dad!” clearly, was the moment I felt my life was very full. Just seeing that smile, all the hardships and worries of the day became light.

Taking my child to school is not only a responsibility, a sharing of work with my wife, but also a joy, a spiritual gift that I reward myself with every day. It is the time when father and son chat, share little things about class, friends, and innocent childhood stories. It is in those seemingly normal moments that I understand more about my child's world - a pure, dreamy world; my child also feels the love and care of his father.

Now, my child is in 10th grade. Early mornings, I can no longer take him to school in the old car, no longer hear his chirping voice in my ear. In the hustle and bustle of work, I rarely have the opportunity to go home, rarely walk with him on the familiar road of the past years. But in my heart, I still believe that, even though I am far away, I am still "picking and dropping" my child off with love, trust and gentle words sent with each phone call and each text message.

In the future, you will go further, fly higher, but I know that on that journey, you will always carry with you the sweet memories of those early mornings with your father and the old car, of the warm voice saying “Be a good boy on your way to school!”. Just thinking about that, my heart feels peaceful and happy, as if I were still going to school with you every day.

Nguyen Van

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/van-hoa/202510/niem-hanh-phuc-gian-di-cua-ba-ef50e76/