Happiness is giving
*“*Mum — let me take the clothes that don't fit me any more and give them to little Minh, all right?”
“Yes! Fold them up and take them over to him, and pick out the ones that can still be worn, will you?”
That is a true story from when I was only 7 years old. I do not know since when the image of the poor has kept appearing in my heart and in my mind, echoing beside me, all of it as if urging me to do something for them. And for me, one special thing is that I feel truly fortunate and happy to have a family in which my parents and my brothers and sisters are all very kind-hearted, rich in love; so surely I have inherited all those good things from my family, and it was at that very moment that a dream took shape in me — a dream I have longed fiercely to carry out.
Now that the world has entered an age of development, of civilisation and modernity in technology and science, people's needs are greater, and perhaps that is why people's dreams have grown loftier along with them. Everyone hopes for a bright, good, happy future and to obtain what they wish for.
As for me, my dream from that day until now has never changed. I always tell myself I must study hard so that I can set out, so that I can go and have the chance to help poor children who hunger for food, for clothing, and for letters as well. In my mind those small figures long day and night for full stomachs and warm clothes, for a satchel and a school where they can learn their letters aloud like any other child. They are little flowers; their beauty and their fragrance must spread everywhere, throughout this vast garden of society. And I — I want to be a messenger who travels everywhere to bring smiles, happiness and sharing to people the world over, with all my ability and all my ardour.
My childhood is bound up with a poor rural region, but it was that same dear land, overflowing with love, that wove together my life and my dream. My parents have always placed their trust in us sisters, always been the strength that pushes us on at every step of life's road; and deep within me my parents' words walk with me and remind me every day, wherever I am and whatever I do: "A family may be poor in food and clothing, but it must never be poor in knowledge." That is why I always tell myself that I must study hard, that having knowledge and forming my character and morals each day will help me carry out my dream more easily.
I left home and began living on my own at the end of Year 9. My family had me apply to transfer to a well-known upper secondary school in the city of Hà Tĩnh; my parents and my siblings thought that "studying there, away from home, having to look after and sort out everything myself would help me grow up sooner". In those first days all I could do was cry from missing home, and I felt very sad and sorry for myself when no one in the class wanted to be my friend, simply because they thought I looked like a country girl. I felt lonely; all I wanted was to run home, throw my arms around my mother and cry out loud. But then, thanks to that great strength drawn from my family, I tried to overcome that barrier day by day and to study hard so as not to fail the hopes and the trust my parents placed in me. All my effort and striving was rewarded: after two weeks in Year 10, I was elected class vice-monitor for studies, and my classmates gradually grew friendlier towards me.
One day I boldly stood up in front of the class; I wanted my classmates to donate their old clothes and books to send to children in difficult circumstances. The result astonished and delighted me: I received the support of every one of them. And from that day on, after each lesson I took the chance to cycle to each house, collect each bundle, then sort it and fold it neatly to send to the children in harder circumstances; and as I worked, my heart stirred and I felt a strange joy — for me, bringing joy to others is my own happiness.
Yes! My life is a journey walked alongside the poor, and that is what makes me feel truly glad and at peace. I receive care, love and help from others, and so I too must know how to share, because "the greatest happiness of my life is to bring love and smiles to everyone", and deep within I always tell myself that "it is in giving that we receive".
Please pray for me, that I may always walk steadily on this journey of love, that I may always be someone who knows how to share, to help and to bring joy to others. May God always walk with you all.
Trần Thị Nga Vĩnh Hội Parish – Ngàn Sâu Deanery Field of study: English for Tourism Duy Tân University
