Life is full of unexpected events that we neither plan for nor want. These moments, while inevitable, often change us in ways that make it impossible to return to who we once were.
Xuân Phượng is a woman whose life has also been shaped by countless such events. From a carefree schoolgirl in a noble family, she gave up everything to join the war effort. Throughout her life, she faced many life-and-death situations in various roles. Now, at 95, despite all the highs and lows, she remains kind-hearted and open to whatever life may bring.
What Lies Under Life’s Peaceful Surface?
To symbolize the unpredictability of life, Xuân Phượng once chose a painting by artist Trương Đình Hào. She admired his dedication to the Indochinese painting style—a style few Vietnamese artists dared to pursue at that time.
The painting depicts a hen incubating eggs in a nest, with a knife, a plate washed in boiling water, and a bottle of wine nearby. She aptly named it “vigilance”, as it suggests that, at any moment, the hen could become a meal, its fate hanging in precarious balance.
Through simple, symbolic images, Trương Đình Hào captured the uncertainty of life. Xuân Phượng felt personally connected to the painting, as it reminded her of a moment when she worked in a military hospital during the war.
At that time, she had long, beautiful hair—until one day, everything changed. The head doctor barred her from attending a Youth Union meeting, even though all her friends were permitted to go. Frustrated, she snuck away to attend the meeting anyway, but the doctor locked her in a cowshed when she returned. When suffering this humiliation, she resorted to threatening a hunger strike to secure her release.
Once freed, she rushed to bathe in the river, but no matter how hard she scrubbed, she couldn’t rid her hair of the cowshed's stench. At that moment, she took a pair of scissors and cut off her hair. This event marked the end of the innocent, carefree version of Xuân Phượng and taught her a profound lesson: no matter how peaceful life may appear on the surface, uncertainty always lurks just beneath.
The Art Of Forgiveness
Years after the incident with the doctor, Xuân Phượng unexpectedly came across his home in Ba Ria - Vung Tau. By then, he had already passed away. Despite the pain he had caused her, she lit incense in his memory—not because she had forgotten his cruelty, but because forgiveness allowed her to free her own soul and heart. She often recalled her grandmother’s words: "If you slander someone, the first person to be stained is yourself."
Xuân Phượng also embraced the belief that "it’s okay to be old and foolish," accepting her mistakes with humility. Though she had misplaced her trust more than once, nearly losing everything, each time she found a way to rise again, learning to move forward with grace.
Keeping A Kind And Open Heart
When it comes to love, Xuân Phượng acknowledges that the heart rarely follows the same logic as the mind. People often repeat the same mistakes when they’re in love, and no amount of advice can replace the lessons learned from personal experience.
The key is to keep a kind and open heart, allowing life to continue surprising us. Many people hesitate to step outside their comfort zones or become overly cautious, fearing life’s challenges. However, this mindset often drains the joy of living.
This cautious attitude is common among older generations, who believe they should stay home, care for their grandchildren, and quietly enjoy their later years. Xuân Phượng, however, chooses to treasure every moment she has. Even though she no longer runs her art gallery, she continues to write books, travel, and meet with friends of all ages to share her stories.
As cartoonist Bill Keane wisely said, “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift.” So why not embrace life to the fullest? Xuân Phượng’s enduring kindness and open heart have guided her through countless challenges, allowing her to always approach life with gentle love.