When the cicadas' chirping fades under the golden sun, students across the country are busy preparing for a new school year, many of whom will be studying far from home. Behind the ambitions and dreams of these young people are the worried eyes of their parents.
Tears of happiness from a mother...
As parents, we all hope our children will have the opportunity to study and experience a broader, more developed environment. But for parents, that bright future often comes at the cost of meals devoid of laughter, and a small home suddenly feeling empty... On the day their children leave home, parents rush around preparing their belongings while also wanting to preserve the most familiar things about their children. Though unspoken, every action is filled with parental affection. Perhaps that's why the moment of parting is so poignant.
Ms. Hong Trang (42 years old, residing in Ha Tinh province) recounted: “The day I heard the news that my daughter had been accepted into Hanoi Law University, I cried with happiness. When she packed her belongings and prepared to board the bus to the city, I cried again, but this time the emotion was different. Although I wanted to give her advice and share many things, I couldn't bring myself to say them. I could only think about what she needed and how to buy it for her while she was staying in her rented room. In the end, I couldn't accompany her any further; I could only sit with her at the bus station, watching the bus until it disappeared from sight.”
These days, parents are just as anxious as when they waited for their children's university results. Mom goes to the market and the garden several times a day, checking for anything delicious to pack for her children to take with them. Dad meticulously checks every electrical appliance and plug to make sure it's safe. The younger siblings watch their older siblings busy themselves, stammering, "Is Big Brother leaving soon?", "Will Big Sister still sleep with us tomorrow?"...
Worried about their children's living conditions and the increasing sophistication of scams, many parents travel to the area with their children to find accommodation. Even after receiving acceptance letters and asking acquaintances in the city for help, meticulously browsing rental listings on social media, and speaking with landlords, they still feel uneasy. Many parents say that even with prior preparation, they spend all day searching without finding a suitable room. The nice places are too expensive, while the reasonably priced ones have unsuitable environments or unstable security.
Recalling the days spent searching for accommodation with her father under the sweltering sun of Ho Chi Minh City, Anh Thu (18 years old, a student at the International University - VNU-HCM) said: “Sitting behind my father, I just wanted to cry. The familiar motorbike that used to carry me on the dirt roads of my hometown was now carrying me on the paved roads of the city. Seeing my father driving back and forth for days on end, I felt both pity for him and a desire to secure a room as soon as possible, but also a little selfish, wishing the trip would last longer so I could stay with him longer. When the motorbike stopped, I knew I had to say goodbye to my parents, goodbye to my childhood, to begin a new journey.”
Keep a home in your heart.
The children's small hands had never carried so much, yet they were strong enough to hug each family member tightly. That hug wasn't just a farewell; it filled hearts that were gradually becoming empty. When those bags were opened in a strange room, each child seemed to peel back layers of love carefully wrapped by their parents and grandparents: their mother's labels on each type of meat, their grandmother's chickens that provided delicious eggs for them—some eggs were big, some were small, but they smelled wonderful when fried; the pumpkins from the backyard were sweet; and their grandfather had already slipped stacks of money in various denominations into the sacks of rice...
Since their child moved to the city to attend university, Ms. Thanh Thao and her husband (residents of Hung Yen province) have been using smartphones more frequently. Ms. Thanh Thao recounted: “Before, I only used social media to video call relatives far away. Since my child started university, I’ve learned how to text and send fun stickers to encourage them. I understand that my child will gradually become busy and won’t have much time to call home, so texting helps them feel more at ease. Actually, at first, my family had very pleasant conversations, but when it came time to say goodbye, I wanted to cry. Perhaps that’s why my child doesn’t call home as often, afraid of making us worry.”
Even as I adapt to my new life, home remains an inseparable place. Each time I return home and then leave again, the farewell becomes even more poignant. Mai Phuong (a fourth-year student at Hanoi Law University) confided: “The first time I said goodbye to my family, I didn't understand how long and difficult being away from home would be, so I was somewhat excited about experiencing independent life. But after that first time, every time I go home, I feel sadder and more lonely. Sometimes, I feel my voice trembling as I try to hold back my tears so my parents won't know I'm crying. I'm afraid my parents will worry even more about their child being away from home again.”
On the day a child sets off to find a new horizon, parents must also part ways with their own little sky—their child. Behind the tearful eyes and hesitant waving hands lies the hope, pride, and trust that parents have placed in their children. That love is a latent strength within each person, protecting and guiding them step by step on their challenging journey. The more they see the world as vast, the more each child understands how important the home in their heart truly is.
Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/tien-con-di-hoc-post812925.html
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