A LOVE STORY

A. was there when I came to the water taxi. He was looking at some photos, his eyes full of love.

- You are missing your family?

A. smiled: This is my son and his wife. And this is my daughter and her husband.

- Your children? I looked at A., wondering.

- And these are their children. A. showed me more photos. A boy and a girl in one photo. Around 3, 5 years old. And another boy and another girl in another photo. 2, 3 years old, I think.

- I don’t understand! You are not much older than the couple. Sorry, but how old are you?

- Thirty four.

- Then they can not be your children. They look around your age.

- They are the children and grandchildren of my wife. A. showed me a photo of a beautiful lady, around fifty.

- Your wife must be worried when you work so far from home.

- Yes. at first, but, as years go by, we feel stronger about each other.

A. told me about his family. He and his wife both worked in a church as a priestless and a priest. They have married for ten years. A. joined the US Marine for three years. He comes home on his holidays. He loves to look at his family’s photos when away from home.

 Our story was interrupted when three lady marines came to the boat. In waiting time for the boat to start, I offered them a poetry performance about the beauty of Danang, my home town.

Bye A. and the girls. All the best wishes. Hope love is ever true and eternal. For A and his wife. For all loving couples.

A TOURIST

  Long time ago, I guided a Danish elderly lady to visit Hue, Hoian and Myson. She admired the relics and listened to me attentively. The tour didn't include meals. She enjoyed her homemade dried grapes in the car and didn't require to find any restaurants. She didn't pay attention to meals. No shopping either. Naturally I feel love for this lonely elderly tourist....

On the way to Dana...ng, Mr. Muoi, Driver, phoned his wife and asked her to prepare lunch and I phoned my husband to prepare dinner. The elderly lady was happy to receive our invitation to visit Muoi's house and mine. She enjoyed the meals and talked happily.

She is poor,living in a cold place. Every morning she has to clean the smow for the entrance. She has to go to the forest alone to collect firewood to heat in the winter. " Why don't you hire somebody to do that for you?" I asked. " I have to do it myself as I can't afford hiring others to do it for me", she answered.

I was moved to learn that she and her deceased husband had to save for many years to visit Vietnam. When the money is enough for the tour, he had passed away and she has made the trip alone.

The elderly lady an old yellow sweater. I put it on me eventhough it is not cold to make her happy.

On the farewel she didn't give Muoi and me tips, but very loving look. Many years have passed but her oving look still stay in me.

MOM’S SPECIAL BIRTHDAY IN THE NAM HAI RESORT

I came to The Nam Hai Resort early for the a tour to Hue. This is my habit as a tour guide for more than 19 years. I was so impressed a buggy caring to see a big, beautiful bunch of fresh flowers by me.

_ "This is for Helen's birthday. Helen and her son Lee are going to Hue with you today." The tour operator winked at me. I understood: Tour guide, please do your best to make them happy. I winked back at him, which means: Yes, sir. Sure!

I am so thankful to the tour operator as he gives me very important information to start a happy tour.

Helen and Lee came. They both looked so brighten with joys in their eyes.

I welcomed Helen and Lee by the Happy Birthday song to Helen. Many happy returns of the day!

Helen and Lee were so excited by The Nam Hai Resort that it becomes the subject to start the tour.

“I have traveled quite a lot. But The Nam Hai Resort is so beautiful, than I any other places.” Helen eagerly said. “The room, the gardens, the beach…everything is so wonderful. And the staff is so friendly”. She added.

I smiled: What I like best about The Nam Hai Resort is water. Water everywhere, the sea, the ponds, the gardens etc. Very clear and clean water! Water is the most important elements of the five, including itself, fire, metal, wood and earth. It brings in the good luck for the home and people.

During the tour I found out one thing: Helen, Lee and I have something in common: We love poetry. We made the tour to Hue the most special poem with history, culture, interesting sights, with our minds and hearts.

Our talks were usually interrupted by telephones. Lee and I were cheered to hear Helen laugh happily on the phone.

- “ They are my mom’s best friends. You see, my mom is talking over and over about The Nam Hai Resort and about the tour.” said Lee.

Lee has worked in Vietnamfor 6 months and haven’t much time with his mom. “ I want to make Mom’s birthday the most special in The Nam Hai Resort.” He said. “I am so happy that she is happy!”Lee smiled. His eyes were brightened with joys.

I wish I could offer my mother a special birthday like Lee to his mother. I could never do so as my mother passed away nearly three years ago!

If you still have the chance, do it. Enjoy every moment you can with your mom!