January

January is the month of peach blossoms blooming, turning a corner of the garden pink. January is the month of family reunions... It is the month of bustling joy on the streets. The month of wishes for a prosperous new year. The month of the red color shining from lucky red envelopes at the beginning of the year, the brilliant colors of new clothes in the spring air that fills everywhere.

January is the time when every family gathers around a warm meal with fragrant banh chung. Banh chung is the quintessence of heaven and earth. It is the combination of the green color of dong leaves, the warm sweetness of sticky rice, green beans and the delicious fat of fatty meat. Every year, our family sits together by the warm fire to chat and confide, waiting for the moment of transition between heaven and earth. And when I woke up, I was sleeping soundly on a warm bed.

January is coming, also the time when the winter winds are no longer cold enough to cut into the skin, no longer the feeling of dry, cracked hands. Grandparents will have less joint pain, less tired knees. January brings the feeling of warmth of the earth and sky and everyone wants to immerse themselves in nature and trees.

January is also the month of flowers competing to show off their colors and fragrance to welcome a new spring, a new beginning. Peach blossoms - the typical flower of January, of Tet. Every family must have a peach blossom branch or a peach tree to bring the spring atmosphere to their home. The red-pink peach blossoms bring many wishes to every home on the occasion of the New Year, as a symbol of peace and prosperity. The plump, blooming marigolds are full of vitality like spring is full of energy. Lily branches with red-pink buds bring an intoxicating fragrance everywhere. Violets bring a gentle, shy purple color... All blend together to create a fresh, lovely atmosphere full of faith and hope.

When January comes, she often reminds her grandchildren to “choose a lucky day and time to start writing, wishing for a year of progress, excellence, and success in school.” She also often goes to the temple, prays to Buddha, and wishes for my family to have a healthy and peaceful new year.

January is also the time when farmers start working in the fields after the cold winter, when the land is resting. The young green rice seedlings are quickly planted by hard-working hands on the vast fields after a long rest. And January is also the time when white shirts flutter to school after Tet holiday, happy Tet. January is also the time when the tree branches are full of vitality, spreading out many green buds. The full, pure full moon on the full moon day brings a feeling of peace and tranquility.

The coming January not only brings us memories of warm reunions but also sows in our hearts a new beginning full of faith and hope.

​NGUYEN HUU CHUYEN
(Grade 12G, Nam Sach High School)