The world does not lose roses (*)

When we were young, everything was new, fresh, and beautiful, including love. Then, as we got older, we stopped asking each other that question, as our relationships began to fade and wither. Some even sighed sadly: "Love? At a certain point, there's nothing left to say about it; it's as empty as a drainpipe. And then all the beauty just slips away!"

It's strange how, in today's increasingly modern society, the commitment in love seems to become less significant. Perhaps it's because we have countless choices instead of just one. With everything developing so rapidly, nothing remains unique, exclusive, or absolute, not even love and fidelity. Recently, I read a study indicating that in recent years in Vietnam, there have been an average of over 600,000 divorces annually – a considerable number. This has a negative impact on many young people of marriageable age. And around me, countless young single parents live happily without the burden of romantic relationships.

So, how do people out there in the world fall in love now?

That day, I saw the man sitting in front of the grocery store, plucking out his wife's itchy hairs. I often stopped by to buy miscellaneous items, and didn't pay much attention to the couple who owned the store. Since witnessing that heartwarming scene, I've become more interested in them, and even more surprised to see how inseparable they were: picking up their grandchildren from school, going to the market, having coffee, eating out, going to the doctor… they were always together, like newlyweds. Upon asking, I learned that the man was an engineer still working; his wife was a stay-at-home mother who did some extra business. They had such different backgrounds, yet they had remained together for over 30 years of marriage. If not for love, then what was it for?

What about the love of young people? Not long ago, I read a touching love story: a young man spent 10 long years of his youth caring for his girlfriend who had cancer. They got married right in the hospital. The bride beamed on her hospital bed with a wig covering her head...

These two small stories, though brief, linger in my mind, making me believe that no matter what the world may be like, somewhere there are still people diligently learning how to love and practicing that simple yet surprisingly beautiful kind of love.

Love is like a rose. This beautiful flower won't fade away if we are willing to plant and care for it, and wait for it to bloom.

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(*) Lyrics of the song "Hoa Hong" (Rose) - composed by Phan Manh Quynh; performed by singer Ha Anh Tuan.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nhan-dam-the-gian-nay-khong-mat-di-hoa-hong-185250208193514122.htm