317 Cu Xa Thanh Da Lo P, TPHCM.
During my last two visits to Vietnam, I revisited my old neighborhood to reconnect with everyone I once knew. I roamed the halls of the project building where I lived until the age of six. This corner store holds fond memories from my childhood when I resided in the projects. My family has known the store owner for their entire lives, and at 81 years old, she's still working with no plans for retirement. This is a common sight in Vietnam, where retirement often means death. In Vietnam, one's fate is either to be fortunate enough for their children to grow up and support them or to work tirelessly until their last breath. There's no luxury of retirement or rest; they embody the saying, 'We can sleep when we are dead.'
Some say the United States is a greedy country, but Vietnam can be seen as a selfish one. I've lived in both places, so I can see the pros and cons. In Vietnam, we don't pay certain taxes, but in return, the government doesn't provide assistance. There are no food stamps, no medical care, no free education, and no programs to help struggling individuals. If you pass away, there's no intervention or handouts.
During my last two visits, I went to see Ms. Tuyết. She was deaf, so our conversations were often quite loud. She told me how she regretted not getting ear surgery to improve her hearing when her brother offered her the money. Instead, she used it to support her children. Now, she's too old for the surgery, and her children have moved on, creating their own families. When I returned to visit her in January 2023, I went Back to visit her again. But this time, for the first time, her shop was closed and locked. I learned that she had passed away. I'm saddened that I didn't have the chance to say my goodbyes, but this often happens to someone who constantly moves between countries. You leave, someone is still alive, and when you come back, they're gone.
I vividly remember the last time I saw her, I tried to buy snacks from her to support her small business, but she refused to take my money. That's how I knew how much she cared and how genuine she was. Despite knowing I was from America, she still wouldn't accept payment. Rest in peace, Ba Tuyet. I will always remember you.
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