VI
EN
Outside on the balcony, the pomegranate tree—a month ago bare, withered branches that I had to gently scratch to know it was still alive—was now covered in a vibrant green of tender shoots and buds. The gentle spring music from the neighbor's house drifted over, "What does spring tell you, that your eyes are so joyful…" at just the right volume so as not to disturb my beloved daughter, still sound asleep in her warm blanket, the pink Kitty cat with a candy-shaped bow that I had quietly slipped into her arms before she woke up. This year's Tet holiday was so relaxing and joyful for both of us, making me tease Bamby that we've had several sleeping contests throughout Tet, and she's always won, whether it was morning, noon, afternoon, or night.
Dad, why didn't you let me go to Da Lat sooner?
Jacaranda trees at Da Lat train station
I knew for sure that Bamby would fall in love with Da Lat and secretly told myself that one day Dad would take him here, to the city of a thousand flowers with its whispering pine trees, its very blue sky, very white clouds, and golden sunshine like poured honey.
And finally, I got to hold the hand of the person I love most in this city – a place where I wasn't born, where I've had no romantic relationships, no home, no destined love… but in short: Da Lat is my favorite city.
Finally, the two of us were able to walk hand in hand amidst the vibrant cherry blossoms in full bloom during spring, creating magical patches of pink against the sky of Da Lat. At times, we stood silently, tilting our heads back to gaze in fascination at the cherry blossom trees, devoid of leaves, covered only in blossoms—countless tiny flowers, a dazzling display of spring, of Tet (Vietnamese New Year), of splendor, joy, and celebration, set against a backdrop of the clear blue sky of the Lam Vien Plateau, with shimmering white clouds like giant cotton candy ribbons, creating a breathtakingly beautiful picture that left both words and sounds powerless.
Cherry blossoms in the grounds of Da Lat Teacher Training College.
Bamby was naturally a rather quiet girl, young but already capable of controlling her emotions. Despite her quiet demeanor, when her father took her to the City Flower Garden or the Golden Valley, she would become engrossed and captivated by the carpets of flowers in a myriad of shades of white, yellow, green, red, purple, and pink, snapping photos incessantly, constantly exclaiming, "Dad, Dad!" She would eagerly climb the slopes to admire the small waterfalls cascading down the rolling hills, excitedly run into the lush green grass, shout with joy, spin around, and then suddenly dash back to hug her father, showering him with endless kisses on both cheeks.
Finally, the father and son had a complete and peaceful Tet holiday together, free to do whatever they wanted, go wherever they wanted by car, eat whatever they wanted, and sleep whenever they wanted. As they stood by Xuan Huong Lake taking photos at sunset, the son said, "Dad, let's go up, the mist is making me a little cold." While walking hand in hand through the spacious, cool, and peaceful corridors of the Da Lat College of Education, Bamby kept asking, "Dad, why do you always like walking here?" "Because this school is so beautiful, so peaceful and serene, I wish I could be a student or a teacher here."
As the father and son sat enjoying hot cocoa and hot artichoke tea in a cafe in the city center, Bamby pointed to the brightly lit television tower against the night sky during the Tet holiday: "Dad, doesn't that look like the Eiffel Tower? Now that we're in Da Lat, why would we need to go to Paris anymore, Dad?"
When Dad showed Bamby how to photograph the purple Jacaranda flowers at Da Lat train station, after taking the pictures, Bamby happily turned to him and said, "So, Dad, we don't need to go to Australia to see the Blue Jacaranda anymore?"
So, Da Lat has Tet (Vietnamese New Year), Dad, flowers, blue skies, white clouds, golden sunshine, and all sorts of famous places around the world, all through the innocent, childlike mind of a child.
Da Lat, the city of dreams
And why do I keep writing "finally..."? Because finally, I've accomplished things, whether grand or simple, that I've secretly hoped for and cherished for so long. But in the end, on my fourth return to Da Lat, whether the journey was short or spanned the entire Tet holiday, my son and I only found joy. I didn't take him to places associated with sad memories: Tung Cafe, Mai Anh Hill, Tuyen Lam Lake, or Co Hong Cafe… Perhaps, my son and I will come to Da Lat many more times, but this first time, this first Tet holiday here, we only had joy.
- Dad, the days in Da Lat flew by so fast. For the New Year, I promise you three things: first, ..., second, ..., and third, ... so that I'll be good and you'll be happy, and next time you'll take me to Da Lat again, okay, Dad?
Like my last workday before leaving for the Lunar New Year holiday, I always dedicate my busy end-of-year schedule to saying goodbye, thanking, and wishing a happy New Year to my colleagues who have been with me throughout the year. Whether we argued, quarreled, or treated each other with kindness and affection, being together and spending a lifetime together is a blessing. At the end of our journey, I hugged Bamby tightly and thanked him for accompanying me on this special trip, because he was so happy, so well-behaved, so loving towards me, and above all, thank you for coming into my life.
Cherry blossoms burst into vibrant bloom in the spring.
Happiness is neither a path nor a destination; happiness is the present, it is now, this very moment. Why do we keep striving to find, build, endure, grope, and grasp at something so far away, when each moment that appears is a chance encounter, a complete and fulfilling instant?
The Lunar New Year has passed, spring is still in full bloom, and we are all happy.
Why not?
