Perhaps, each farewell leaves a quiet void in the hearts of those who stay behind. The day my son left for the army was also the day my mother had indescribable feelings: "Both happy and worried". But somewhere deep in her heart, she still believed that her son would be brave and strong enough to train in discipline, hardship, and even danger. For her, "the waiting season" is not just waiting for news, but waiting for the day to see her son return safely, healthy and mature.

Family of Mrs. Nguyen Thi Nham (Dong Bang commune, Hung Yen province) visits her son studying at Army Officer School 1.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Nham (Dong Bang commune, Hung Yen province), a teacher whose child is a second-year student at the 1st Army Officer School, emotionally shared: “The dream of wearing a military uniform is not only my child's dream, but I myself also love the green of the soldier's uniform and wanted my child to join the Army since he was little. When we heard that he passed the entrance exam to the 1st Army Officer School, the whole family was very proud.”

The joy of the day her child was accepted quickly merged with the constant worry of a mother whose child was in the military. Mrs. Nham said: “I must say that at that time I was happy because my child had fulfilled his dream, but I was also worried because I knew that being in the military environment would be very difficult, very different from being at home with my parents.”

The first three months of my son's military service were the longest waiting period for the mother in the rear. "That was a very difficult period for me. When my son joined the army, the house was completely quiet. At every meal, at every evening, seeing the tray missing someone made me cry. The most worrying thing was not knowing how my son ate, slept enough, and was used to discipline," she recounted tearfully. Unable to call him often, missing him became a silent habit: taking out old photos to look at, sitting and telling stories about his childhood with relatives, or simply thinking about when he would return after training days.

After nearly two years of studying and training in the Army, what makes the mother most proud is not the certificates of merit, but the change in her son. “Before, my son was lazy to wake up early, addicted to playing games, but now he knows how to cut grass, grow vegetables, clean up neatly, is self-disciplined and mature. Seeing him grow up like that, I feel much more secure,” said Mrs. Nham, her eyes filled with joy and pride.

For mothers like Mrs. Nham, waiting is not a burden, but a part of the journey of motherhood, a journey filled with faith and unconditional love.

In a small apartment, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Hoa (Thanh Tri commune, Hanoi ), a high school teacher, wife of an Army officer, is a woman who has spent 13 years waiting like that. 13 years of meals alone, Tet holidays without her husband, long nights hugging her child to sleep when outside is the monsoon and nostalgia. But those are also 13 years of faith, of pride in her military husband.

Mrs. Nguyen Thi Hoa with her husband, two daughters and a nephew.

When asked about her husband’s first business trip away, Mrs. Hoa recalled: “The first time he went on a business trip away was to the South, at that time we already had our first daughter. The feeling of being away from my husband for months seemed so long. I felt sorry for him, my child and myself. But I always tried to control myself, telling myself that I and my child would be a strong support so that he could work with peace of mind.”

During the years her husband was away from home, Mrs. Hoa's life was not only about lectures in class, but also about raising children, taking care of her elderly parents, and ensuring every meal and sleep in a house without a breadwinner. But the biggest challenge for her was not about food and money, but about the trust, love and understanding of her husband and wife: "Only when I have faith in myself and my husband, do I have enough strength to overcome the long, tiring nights. That faith helps me to be steadfast so that he can confidently complete his tasks well."

There were nights when the weather was changing, and both mother and child were sick. In the small kitchen, there were only the two of them at the dinner table, and tears often fell without anyone noticing. “There were times when I felt very sad, but I chose to learn to be grateful every day, to learn to smile, because I knew I was not alone. My family is the biggest motivation for me to keep going,” Mrs. Hoa confided.

When asked about the saying “Soldiers’ wives are soldiers without ranks”, Mrs. Hoa laughed and said: “It’s true that we don’t wear military uniforms, but we still have to train our willpower in our hometown. We also have to endure the sun and rain, learn how to behave, raise children, and take care of our families so that you can feel secure on the training ground. I believe that you are always proud to have “comrades” in life like us.”

Looking back on that journey, what makes Mrs. Hoa most proud is the small family that she and her husband built together, with two obedient, studious and understanding daughters. It is still a warm home filled with love despite the absence of a man.

Regardless of their position, as mothers or wives, those women in the rear have never considered their "waiting season" a waste. For them, it is a source of pride. Proud of themselves for being strong enough to be the rear and proud of having children and husbands serving in the Army, contributing to keeping the peace of the Fatherland. They understand and share with the front line, and also hope to receive understanding and respect from those men. Sometimes, a bouquet of flowers, a small gift, or just a wish on Vietnamese Women's Day October 20, is enough to make them feel happier with their lives and silent sacrifices.

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/van-hoa/doi-song/nhung-nguoi-giu-lua-noi-hau-phuong-885413