A home built on love.
In the ancestral temple, Mr. Cu (born in 1941) and Mrs. Chin (born in 1942) welcomed us with gentle smiles. Their hair was as white as snow, and their dignified bearing gave anyone who met them a sense of peace and contentment in their old age. Watching them chat so affectionately, few would guess that they had been together for over 60 years. Mrs. Chin smiled kindly: "Since we got married, we've never spoken harshly to each other. If we've had a disagreement, we've always made up within a day."
In 1965, when their first daughter was only three months old, Mr. Cu joined the Youth Volunteer Force and then enlisted in the army. After being discharged in 1970, he returned to his hometown, and he and his wife worked together to raise their children. Mr. Chin recalled: "Life was difficult back then, but my wife and I always encouraged each other to persevere. We only hoped our children would receive a good education so they could have a better life than their parents." Despite their difficult circumstances, their six children—four sons and two daughters—were all given opportunities for education, grew up, and found stable jobs.
Many years ago, in their old age, the couple planned to divide their ancestral land among their four sons. The four brothers sat down together to discuss and agreed to build an ancestral temple in the center of the land, surrounded by their own family homes, so they could all care for their parents and maintain the bond between generations. This idea quickly received the approval of their parents and all family members. Mr. Nguyen Quoc Oai, the second son, currently living and working in Hanoi, shared: "We hope that when our children and grandchildren grow up, no matter where they study or work, they will always have a place to return to, to preserve the brotherly love and the family traditions of our parents."
In 2019, the first house was built, where Mr. and Mrs. Cứ lived with their youngest son. In early 2025, the extended family began construction of the ancestral temple and the remaining houses. To date, the ancestral temple has been completed, two new houses have been put into use, and only one is still under construction. The ancestral temple is located in the center, surrounded by the houses of the four brothers. The shared courtyard in the middle serves as both a living space and a repository of many childhood memories.
Preserving family traditions through generations.
The completed ancestral temple is not only a place of worship but also a connecting point for generations within the family. Nguyen Xuan Bien, the third son, said this was his parents' long-held wish. What makes them happiest is not only having a shared space for ancestor worship but also the fact that their children and grandchildren can live close together.
Having lived with her in-laws since she first became their daughter-in-law, Nguyen Thi Minh Chau still vividly remembers the simple affection her parents-in-law showed her. She emotionally recounted: "In 1999, when I was pregnant with my first child, my mother-in-law came home from working in the fields, bought a slice of watermelon, and brought it into my room, telling me to eat it to stay healthy. It was a small thing, but I'll never forget it. My parents-in-law always loved and understood their daughter-in-law as if she were their own daughter."
According to family members, living together across multiple generations requires understanding, respect, and sharing. All matters, big and small, are discussed and agreed upon by siblings before implementation. This is how they maintain close bonds and harmony. Furthermore, despite each person's work and life, the extended family still maintains a reunion dinner on weekend evenings. This is a time for everyone to sit together and share stories, both happy and sad, about their lives.
In the ancestral temple, certificates recognizing families as "Exemplary Grandparents, Parents, and Children" are proudly displayed in the central area. For Mr. Cu and Mrs. Chin, this is not only a source of pride but also a reminder for their descendants to always uphold family traditions, live with love, unity, and filial piety towards their grandparents and parents. Mr. Cu smiled and said, "At this age, what makes us happiest is seeing our children get along well, our grandchildren be well-behaved, and our family always warm and close-knit."
Beyond being a source of joy for the family itself, the harmonious, loving, and filial lifestyle of Mr. Cu and Mrs. Chin's family has also been recognized and highly appreciated by the local community. Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich, President of the Women's Union of Lac Dao commune, commented: "Mrs. Cu and Mrs. Chin's family is a prime example in the locality, with many generations living together harmoniously and closely. This is a role model of family life for our members to learn from and emulate."
As evening falls over the communal courtyard, the laughter and chatter of descendants echo from the ancestral temple. Amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life, the flame of love, family bonds, and filial piety are still preserved and passed down through generations. This is what Grandparents Cứ and Chín always cherish and wish to pass on to their descendants.
Source: https://baohungyen.vn/quay-quan-ben-bo-me-gia-3196746.html
