During a lifetime everybody carries many memories, some are good and some are bad. I have some very strong images about my paternal-grandfather – a brave man in my eyes and a farmer by trade.
When I was a child, my father often told me a lot of stories about his father. My father’s stories made me admire my grandfather very much; he was a hero in my eyes. My father told me that when he was young, his father spent many sleepless nights guarding his family against wild animals that used to roam the area where they lived. It was a small village in the countryside. Most people lived in cottages with little more than a dirt floor and a thatched roof. In Vietnam during wartime, my grandfather joined the army against French troops. He was caught and beaten by guns and his legs were very badly injured. After the war, he had to start his life over again; he rebuilt his house with wood and earned a meager living by working for the landlord. He also used his free time to cut and sell the wood. The food that was eaten was all grown on his land.
My parents, my brother and I lived with my maternal-grandparents in the city. So, when my paternal-grandfather wanted to visit us, he had to travel by bicycle. Even when the buses were running he preferred to use his bicycle despite of the long way from his house to the city. When I first looked into my grandfather’s eyes, I could see that these were the eyes of a man who had witnessed many atrocities and much sorrow in his life. I also realized he had a small body but the mind of a giant. For a long time, he fought against enemies and poverty but never gave up hope on life.
My feelings for him grew stronger every time I saw him or heard stories about him. He also gave me some good advice about life; he said that if someone was bad in mind and body, he would grow up to be a useless man. By contrast if someone is good in mind and body, he will grow into a good citizen that is welcomed anywhere in our society.
My paternal-grandfather has been gone for many years now but his image and words live on in my mind forever. These are just a few details I have told you about my grandfather’s life – a strong man and a brave warrior.
When you read this story, I would like you to share it with others to remind them that in our society, there are some people who spend their whole lives to make this world more beautiful and a better place to live in.
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