My dad said that since I came into this world, he transferred his 'special day' to me.
Exactly 15 years ago, I was born on the founding day of the Vietnam People's Army.
My birthday is very special.
My dad said that since I came into this world, he transferred his "special day" to me.
At that time, my father was at a rally at the unit. He did not return in time to "catch my hand" from the doctor. My grandmother was the one who caught my hand, so my father often teased her: "If my granddaughter is spoiled, it is because of you!"
But I'm not bad. I just have a personality, even a strong personality, so my father often said: "Linh should have been a boy. If you were a boy, I would let you follow my career."
My father is a navy soldier. His unit is in the remote central coastal region, so he rarely comes home. He only gets a few vacations a year. When the whole family gathers for holidays and Tet, my mother and I, the three of us, act out our own acts, going back to my paternal hometown or my maternal hometown, or my mother takes my sisters and I to the supermarket, shopping, to the bookstore...
I grew up in a situation where my father worked far away, so I learned to do many household chores to help my mother, from cooking, cleaning the house to looking after my younger siblings and supervising their studies. My father often praised me for being capable and resourceful. Every time he came home on leave, he bought me a special gift. Those were books about history and famous generals.
This year my birthday falls on the day my dad is on duty, but he arranged to go home a few days earlier. So the whole family held a small party.
Even though it was still 2 days before my birthday, my dad still ordered a very pretty pink and white cake with the words: "Happy birthday, my dear daughter!".
Looking at the lovely cake, I was fascinated. My father was always very thoughtful. He rarely came home, so whenever he could, he would find a way to make it up to my mother and sisters. Thinking back to Christmas, National Day, Mid-Autumn Festival, International Children's Day... sometimes even Lunar New Year, my father still had to be on duty. I remember many times I felt sorry for myself and sad when I saw my friends happily going out with my father. I once told Ngoc - my best friend:
- You're so lucky! Your dad is always home. And me…
Ngoc laughed:
- Oh, my dad is a farmer! Your dad is a military officer and has to go on business trips. You should be proud. Your dad is doing a noble job. He won't be happy if he knows you said that.
I think back, maybe Ngoc was right. I was too young. Everyone has a different career. Communication is very convenient now, so even though my father is not at home, my mother and I can video call him every night.
The family dinner celebrating my early birthday was very cozy. Both my grandparents were present. Everyone wished me to be more obedient, study well, become more mature, and be a better example. My father smiled and said:
- You see, daughter, the whole family only remembers your birthday and forgets your dad's special day. You take up all of dad's time.
The whole family laughed happily, turned to wish dad to always be "strong and brave", to complete his mission excellently, and to be worthy of being Uncle Ho's soldier. Cu Binh - my younger brother was delighted:
- Dad, let me follow your career tomorrow.
My mother frowned:
- No, please. My son dreams too early. You have to study hard, son. You have to learn to swim well to follow your father. You have to be determined to learn to swim this summer.
Because Binh is afraid of water, my mother sent him to swimming lessons for the past two summers, but he still couldn't swim the entire width of the pool. I was not like him, I swam well by the third lesson, making my mother tell me: "Daughters inherit their father's dominant genes."
After the birthday party, I helped my mother clean up, wash the dishes and excitedly unwrapped the beautifully tied gifts. My favorite gift was the one my father gave me. It was a book about the Dien Bien Phu campaign. Holding the book with the fresh scent of new paper, I silently thanked my father. I thought about the "special day" - the day I was born and felt even more proud of my father and of those who are doing such a noble task.
VUONG MAI LINH (Grade 10K, Nam Sach High School)