Hanoi in 2018.
Dear friends!
Each of us must have someone who is considered a hero, a standard image for us to look forward to. Your hero can be a supernatural character, a clever and brave historical hero, or maybe a silent girl, teacher, and boatman who takes us to shore of knowledge. As for me, my hero is my grandfather.
My grandfather was in his seventies this year, his beard was silver but fortunately, at this age he was still lucid but his eyes were fading over the years. I often visit him every weekend to hear him share, confide and grow flowers with him in the small garden in front of the yard. His hobby is collecting bonsai so he planted many kinds of flowers such as orchids, roses, lilies, ... and many other fruit trees around his house. Once he told me that flowers give people beauty, people who like to play flowers are lovers of beauty. He loves growing flowers because he loves the colorful beauty they bring.
Previously, my grandfather was a soldier, a brave soldier who volunteered to enter the Southern battlefield during the resistance against the US to contribute his strength to the common struggle of the nation, bringing peace and happiness. for the people. According to him, it was hard years but also the most powerful years in history. The war was extremely fierce, there were days when US bombs hit continuously, causing our people to suffer from all kinds of suffering. The soldiers could only return to the army one or two days, and then left the family and wife and children to go to the battlefield. Young men have to retire from the village, leaving their love affair still beautiful to march, fighting for the beloved South. Ten years in the war against the US imperialism was also ten years that my grandfather experienced all kinds of emotions, experiencing all the harshness of war. Ten years later, his family no longer had faith and hope in his return.
When the struggle of our people won, the country was completely united, my grandfather returned to his homeland in joy, happiness and tears of joy for everyone. What I admire from him is not only the courage, the fighting spirit for the country but also the passionate love between him and my grandmother. Before becoming a soldier, my grandfather was a young man and my grandmother was a gentle, gentle village girl. Between the time of life and death, only two people were not able to promise to wait for each other. Yet ten years passed, her youth was compensated in the moment of seeing him return. That waiting promise, though not spoken, both understood. Until now, when the dust layer of time gradually obscured all, my grandparents still love each other like the beginning. He always paid attention to her, saying that even if he spent his whole life, he could not make up for all the hardships and sadness she suffered for years.
His sacrifice for the family was immense. Although he is old, he still helps my parents with the work so that my parents can help me somehow. After the war ended, he was sent to school by his superiors and became a teacher. Alternating with his lectures is a story about war, a story about humanity so that students know more about the life they have. Although he retired but Vietnamese Teachers' Day every year, many old students visit and give flowers to congratulate the mentor and attachment to him. There are people who become doctors who also become teachers and journalists. But no matter what industry he works, he tells the students to have a mind, thus achieving success at work. Perhaps that is why the former students always respect and treat him as his father.
In his free time, he often told me stories so that we could know more about the country's history, about silent sacrifices so that we could have the freedom of life today. He taught me how to behave in everyday life, taught me maths that I could not find a solution. Being a strict person, when my family members made mistakes or behaved improperly, my grandfather frankly commented. I remember my childhood days, he made a lot of toys for me. He taught me how to fold a crane, a basket boat, a paper sailboat. He made all the lights for me every Mid-Autumn Festival to let me go to procession with my friends. No one in society blamed him for anything because he was a responsible person, an exemplary Party member, a father, an exemplary grandfather. He also enthusiastically helped those around him when they had difficulties, which made them extremely grateful and grateful.
On the birthday, I suddenly received his gift. It's a blue bike I love. He did not forget to remind me to study very well, really hard to deserve to be Uncle Ho's good grandson. At the same time, he did not forget to remind my parents, no matter how busy they should take the time to care and care for their children. Children need the listening of their parents and me too.
I always receive encouragement from him, every time I get good students, he often rewards me with meaningful gifts. It was a book bag or notebook, pen to prepare for a new school year. As the head of the family, he always told every member how to live, how to communicate and behave the most standard so no one could blame. He always loved them so much, but he was not too indulgent so that they could act as a lover.
For me, he is a hero. I admire him because of the way of life, how to treat humanity, admire him in the high sacrifice for families. Hopefully, he will always be healthy to be with us and with us have moments of love.
Goodbye and see you guys again!
Nguyen Thanh Huong