Like a falling leaf

View of the 2019 Collaborator Conference. Photo: PHUONG THAO

During the 28 years of Quang Nam newspaper, I was fortunate to accompany it for six years. But in fact, I have been associated with the newspaper for much longer than that.

Those were the days when I was nine or ten, in the middle of a peaceful summer afternoon, seeing my father attentively reading the newspaper of my hometown, I couldn't help but be curious and wonder. I don't remember clearly what interesting news I read for my father in those young years, but a vague wish was kindled in my heart.

Then, fifteen years later, my first article was accepted by Quang Nam newspaper. No matter how long it takes, I will still be filled with the joy of that day. While in a southern city thousands of kilometers away, feeling elated seeing my words appear in my hometown newspaper, it was as if I had returned home.

Knowing that in the distant homeland, relatives, lovers, and acquaintances have all “seen” me. Seeing the name is like meeting a person, reading the newspaper is like meeting my hometown. Quang Nam Newspaper is the bridge connecting two shores of nostalgia, a place to hold onto old memories, a place to follow step by step the changes of my hometown, a strong belief in the hearts of those far away from home.

I truly cherish the times when the sisters in the editorial office send me pictures of articles and share their thoughts and advice on how to write, how to choose topics and content. Sometimes it is a late-night text message, sometimes we chat via email, and sometimes we talk face-to-face. All of those confidences are filled with love.

Then on the day I returned, I had the opportunity to attend a meeting of collaborators, directly meeting many of the editorial staff - those who had supported the clumsy writing of a child who was trying to dream. The meeting was so friendly, I felt like I was a family member. I got to listen to sharing, encouragement, and sincere comments. I got to laugh and joke around, speak honestly, and even get… a gift wrapped to take home.

That day, Mr. Nguyen Huu Dong - Deputy Editor-in-Chief patted my shoulder and said something both strange and familiar. A feeling of doubt. It was not until the third sentence that I was surprised. What a surprise! And I quickly hid it in embarrassment. I had even forgotten my "brainchild", but he remembered every silly sentence in a tiny article. Only then did I know the heart of a journalist, the "judges" at a prestigious editorial office. Along with the feeling of happiness because my name and words were remembered, I was also deeply moved and grateful. That will forever be one of the most beautiful memories in my arduous literary journey.

In the midst of love that was still so strong, the separation came like a gust of wind, fierce and decisive. Not only saying goodbye to a newspaper, but also saying goodbye to a brilliant life, a period of love that one had devoted all their heart to. Those who stayed and those who left were both deeply disappointed. However, everyone told each other to accept the separation. The good things that had happened, the journey that had been traveled together would become eternal memories in each other.

Because of the love that has always been there, because of the preparation that has been made for a long time, the words of farewell seem as light as a falling leaf. But why is my heart heavy with so many unfinished feelings? What leaf falls without the branches and trunks feeling pain and regret. Well, let it be…

Because, it seems everyone understands, no matter what wind blows, the leaves will still fall back to their roots, waiting for a day of resurrection in a new life. Saying goodbye today is to meet again tomorrow, at the old place that we once longed for so much.

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/nhu-chiec-la-roi-3199967.html