This is the story that has caused me the greatest regret in my life, and even to this day, I still feel pangs of guilt for the hurtful words I once spoke about others. Although I cannot undo the past or ask for forgiveness, I wish to share my story as a cautionary tale for young people so that they may avoid making the same mistakes I did.
During the subsidy period in Vietnam (1975-1986), I worked as a secondary school teacher. Life was difficult back then, as my civil servant salary was not enough to support my family of nine. My wife and I decided to open a small restaurant to make ends meet. Despite the challenging circumstances, our family was harmonious and happy. Our children were understanding and helped us with the business, motivating us to work hard and diligently.
The illustration in 1989
Thanks to that, after a few years of effort, our life gradually stabilized, alongside seizing the real estate business opportunities that helped my spouse and I earn a considerable profit. At this time (1991), we decided to buy a large house in District 1 and move there to live permanently. Near our house, there was a kind and generous neighbor named Ms. Ha, who often participated in charitable activities, helping those in need.
Different from our circumstances, Mrs. H.X was widowed at a young age and had to raise her 5 sons alone, teaching them strict discipline. When they were young, they were well-behaved and polite, but somehow as they grew up they turned into bad children because every one of them got addicted to gambling and drugs. So all the “savings” that she had accumulated in her life were completely lost after they stole her money and gold to spend on partying and drugs.
Unfortunately, two of them died while experiencing drug cravings, and she was worried about the remaining three. She brought them back home and took care of them herself. Depleting all of her assets caused them to become angry and curse her every day. Even worse, they deliberately acted out to force her to sell the house. Out of pity for her children, she reluctantly agreed. Regrettably, they had a short lifespan and only lived for one more year because all three of their children passed away successively, causing the elderly and weak mother’s pain of losing her children to be too much for her to bear. She fell ill and soon after passed away.
Back when her family was still alive, many people in the neighborhood gossiped about her children and criticized them in all kinds of ways. They even had bad thoughts about her, including me thinking that “maybe she did something wrong in the past that brought this karma upon her.” They also discussed her marriage with offensive language, and looking back now, I feel ashamed. But at that time, the only person who didn’t gossip was Ms. Ha, who advised us to empathize with her “because the pain and tragedy that she and her children had to endure were too great.”
Perhaps due to my obsession and a little bit of worry, I talk about her family almost every day to remind my children: “Don’t be like H.X‘s children, who are all spoiled and only know how to waste money and rely on their parents.”
Although I thought those indirect criticisms would be harmless, after 20 years, I had to suffer the consequences. My husband left our family for a young mistress, and my children became addicted to drugs, gambling, debt, and illness. It was the most painful and distressing period for me. It was only through this that I understood the saying “If the needle doesn’t pierce your flesh, you won’t know how painful it is.” By the time I felt the pain myself, it was too late. If only I had realized it earlier, my life would be different now
Seeing Mrs. Ha enjoying a peaceful life with her children and grandchildren, I am happy for her to have such filial and talented offspring. Her two sons are now doctors at a large hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, where I am receiving medical treatment.
Illustration
Sometimes, refraining from making a critical remark towards others when they are in distress can silently contribute to and accumulate good luck for us in the future.
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