Em cứ như lá non, xanh biếc không phấn son

Life has offered so many beautiful things just to evidence that the beauty is nothing but ephemeral. As gloomy and pessimistic as this statement may be, it contains some grain of truth, at least for me and I guess I’m not the only one. I recently came to know a very sad story from a friend of mine. I would not want to go into details because it is against his will but the story haunted me like a sad Korean drama. Oh, what a kind of soap opera! Soppy, dragging and melodramatic, the last thing I will see on earth, you may say. But every so often, life goes exactly the way shown on the silver screen. For me, misfortune didn’t come slowly. It hit me like a thunder from the sky, leaving me numb, frozen and without any time for thoughts or actions. But for my friend, misery is something slowly but surely coming: the life of his loved one can only measured by weeks, months or several years. No one knows for sure but still it will come, not so long away. It’s even more than the harshest torture because with everyday passing by, the separation is coming nearer and you will see a dear part of your heart and soul wither each time the sun rises. It is true that man’s will may vanquish Heaven’s whim sometimes. But every now and then, the idea is just an illusion. The jokes of fate can be utterly merciless, far beyond our senses, comprehension and capacity.

My friend asked me to give him some advice but words failed me at that time. What could I say under such circumstance? Even the most encouraging words may prove to be awkward and cannot relieve the unfathomable weight of pain and sorrow. I regretted that I had at times criticized him for having a sharp tongue, not knowing that hidden from the smart tone are silent tears and a broken heart. If I were there besides him now, perhaps I would gave him a clap and say: Hey, my dear, just go on and you will be amazed at how much you can bear. Just as nature rotates between the four seasons, our life also goes through joyful spring, ardent summer, lonely autumn and barren winter. Happiness and sorrow are so intimate friends of life that life would be meaningless without either of them. Though life is short, you can grow it longer with the memories about the happy times you have shared with your loved one. So give her smiles as long as she can smile, give her a caring heart as long as she can feel the warmth of love. The meaning of our life is measured not only by the length of years but also by the depth of beauty we have felt and the love we have shared. Shed tears if you need to do so, but smile as much as you can. Even if our time together doesn’t last long, pls. be content that our paths crossed in this life journey. It is also with these thoughts that I could go on and through the darkest days of my life. I will pray for her too though I have not met her before and maybe never in the future.

"When you sing a love song, you mean to sing about your love story. Then sing it out loud, don't be afraid. Though happiness may not stay forever, the love story has become a part of your soul." (Trinh Cong Son)