Rare happiness of 4 families under 1 roof
(Baonghean.vn) - In Hung Binh ward (Vinh city), many people know Mr. Phan Van Trinh's family for many reasons. What is more special is that he and his wife live with their three sons' families in love and solidarity.
Live among love and kindness
Two pieces of shrapnel in his head, a wound in his left knee, and many old-age diseases have left Mr. Phan Van Trinh (born in 1946, block 20, Hung Binh ward) unable to walk for several years now. Although he is confused and has forgotten many things, he remembers everything that happened before he was injured.
Mr. Trinh was born and raised in An Hoa commune, Quynh Luu district, and joined the army in 1966. During his time participating in the resistance war against the US, he was injured twice, once in 1970 with 2 pieces of shrapnel in his head, once in 1973 because of a bomb that broke his left leg. At that time, he was the Platoon Leader of Company 53, Battalion 972, BT 11. For his contributions, Mr. Trinh was awarded 2 Third-class Military Exploit Medals, 1 Second-class Military Exploit Medal, and was awarded the title of Hero of the Vietnam People's Army along with many other certificates of merit... Due to his recurring injuries, in 1982, Mr. Trinh applied for disability leave.
Not only famous for his medals, certificates of merit, and achievements, Mr. Trinh is also famous for being... poor. Also because of poverty, in 1982, Mr. Trinh and his wife loaded all their belongings and children onto a three-wheeled cart and pushed it for 2 days and 2 nights to Quy Hop to build their economy. Life was not easy for the couple. Poor health, with 5 children and 7 mouths to feed, Mr. Trinh and his wife struggled to work as hired laborers with the hope of earning enough to eat each day.
“I still clearly remember the image of my husband carrying baskets of soil, struggling to climb up and down when people hired him to dig a pond. His head and legs hurt a lot, but he had to crawl out to work because if he didn’t, the children would go hungry…”, Mrs. Vu Thi Chuyen - Mr. Trinh’s wife, recalled.
After working for a while, seeing that Mr. Trinh and his wife were honest and hard-working, the employer accepted them as his sworn brothers and created favorable conditions to help them. Not only were they paid enough, but for each meal, they also had an extra portion of rice to bring home to their children. However, life was still very difficult for the family.wounded soldierThis.
In 1982, when the State implemented many programs and policies for people with revolutionary contributions, the General Department of Logistics established a delegation to investigate Mr. Trinh's family situation in Quy Hop. As one of the members of the survey delegation that year, Mr. Le Van Cu (now the Head of Block 20, Hung Binh Ward) recalled: "We knew that Mr. Trinh's family had many children and was very poor, but witnessing the reality, everyone felt heartbroken and sympathetic. We were determined to persuade him to return to Vinh City and submit to the unit for approval the program to build a house of gratitude for his family. In addition to the 150m2 house2, the brothers also fenced off a 50m garden for the couple.2next to grow vegetables".
The recognition of the State, the love and care of his comrades helped Mr. Vinh and his wife have a house to settle down. “Returning to the city, with limited capacity and health, my husband worked as a security guard, a cyclo driver, and became more and more confused and quiet. My children and I searched for snails and brought them to Vinh market to sell. The family had many children, some old and some young, but they ate potatoes and cassava all day. Occasionally, I went to the market to ask for pig skin and extra fat from butchers to... improve our meals!” – Mrs. Chuyen said.
Recalling the old story with many disadvantages and deprivations, Mrs. Chuyen's face was not sad at all, sometimes she even smiled at the awkward situations her family encountered. She confided: "No matter what, I am still very grateful that life has given my family good friends, in difficult times there are always people to share and help. When I was in Quy Hop, I had a sworn brother, when I returned to Vinh City, I met comrades, kind neighbors... Living among such love and kindness is a great fortune!"
House under one roof
Mrs. Chuyen said that her life turned a new page since her children reached the age of marriage, and there was another member in the family to help her build the family. Life did not become easier and more prosperous because of that, but it washappymore. In the eyes of everyone, Mr. Trinh and Mrs. Chuyen's family has another point to be famous: a large family. Up to now, her family has a total of 15 people, 3 generations living together.
For many people, the image of the house with the words “House of Gratitude” in front of the gate of Hung Binh Primary School has probably become an unforgettable memory. The house is small and old but always clean and tidy, always bustling with students coming to buy snacks and mixed fruit after school. In that house, Mr. Trinh and his wife live with their family of 3 sons.
“The eldest son sells mixed fruit and has 3 children. The second son is a driver in the army and has 2 children. The youngest son is a freelancer, his wife is working in Japan and has 2 children. The family is a working class family, with many people, each with their own personality, but no one ever raises their voice at each other, always giving in, being gentle, addressing each other with proper titles. Siblings and children are always polite, respectful, and respectful of their grandparents. The house is cramped, with simple furniture but always neat. Family members live in harmony with their neighbors. Despite being poor,"The family always enthusiastically supports the common activities of the neighborhood" - Mr. Le Van Cu shared.
Mrs. Tran Thi Lien (a neighbor of Mr. Trinh and his wife) said: “Mr. Trinh’s youngest daughter-in-law went abroad when her child was only a few months old. The second daughter-in-law took care of her child’s every meal and sleep, loving her like her own child, she is extremely precious. Housework, from laundry, washing dishes, cleaning the house, changing diapers… regardless of whether it is a boy or a girl, whenever she has free time, she does it voluntarily, without hesitation or discrimination. The family tradition and discipline of Mr. Trinh and Mrs. Chuyen’s family makes us, the neighbors, truly admire them. That is why every afternoon, everyone in the neighborhood likes to gather at their house to chat.”
Sharing her “secret” to keeping the family in order, Ms. Chuyen confided: “I always tell my children that my parents grew up in a well-educated family and I want my family to continue to maintain that order and education. Furthermore, my family is a revolutionary family, so my children must live morally, honestly and diligently to be worthy of what their father has contributed.”
Her simple advice and standard attitude towards life are also the first "spiritual bricks" to build a warm home for her children. In her story, Mrs. Chuyen also admitted that many times she thought about her children and grandchildren, and tears welled up in her eyes. Each time, her children encouraged her: Mom, don't be sad, you have to be happy. There are few families that are united and live with their parents like us. Even though we are poor, not as talented or rich as others, we are always diligent and honest, and the difficulties will pass.
Looking back on 15 years of being a daughter-in-law, Ms. Vu Thi Duyen - the eldest daughter-in-law of Mr. Trinh's family, confided: "The most difficult time was probably when my sisters and I were raising young children, the children got sick one after another, and every time we went to the hospital, we had to borrow money. We all had small families to take care of, but there was always a big family to rely on, when one family needed help, the other family would help. Perhaps that's why, every day that passes, I always feel grateful for what I have."
These days, Mr. Trinh's family is staying in a rented house while waiting for the house to be completed.new house. A house that ensures more privacy for small families but still under one roof. Hardship and deprivation are still there, but it will definitely be more spacious and cozy.
People say: “Having a place to return to is called home. Having people to love is called family. Having both is called happiness.” If that is true, then all members of Mr. Phan Van Trinh’s family are possessing immeasurable happiness.
