And a smile will dry all tears.

July 27, 2015. Mild sunshine…

This afternoon, having some free time, she took out her huge backpack and started packing her clothes. She sighed; she only had two more days left in Van Tho. After two days, she would have to say goodbye to Thai Nguyen, goodbye to the team, to Nam, Quynh, and so many other beloved brothers and sisters in the team. 34 brothers and sisters—what would she do when she was gone?! She wouldn't be able to cook meals with Trang, Ngoc, and Sen anymore. She wouldn't hear the "royal family" chattering anymore. She wouldn't be able to hang clothes to dry with Ha and Hien anymore. She wouldn't have the chance to fish, dig for worms, and laugh with satisfaction when someone who had never fished before suddenly caught a really big fish. Those nights spent whispering and giggling to sleep. Those meals of vegetables, tomatoes, and beans—more of a staple than meat. Why were boiled water spinach so delicious?! They'd fight over the tomatoes. Some would eat the head of the fish, others the tail. They'd break the banana in half. "Smart sticks," raw instant noodles, "spaghetti"—a little bit of everything was poured into each person's hand. Eighteen members of the team were assigned to Uncle Binh's house to eat, live, and share joys and sorrows. There was a sense of emptiness about having to part ways.

At the bottom of her backpack, she pulled out a small square notebook. The notebook had been neatly tucked away since the day she started packing for her volunteer trip. She was so excited about her first volunteer trip! As soon as she registered, she ran to the convenience store and bought a notebook; she wanted to write, and she would write. But for the past few days, she had completely forgotten. The joy, the excitement, the dancing, the applause… everything swept her away. The dance to "Everyone Has a Dream" lifted her spirits. She sang "Green Shirt" all day long with enthusiasm. "Oh, Beloved Life," "Dad, Let's Go Compete," "Drum Dance," "I Love You"… All day, night, and even in her dreams, she danced, cheered enthusiastically, and clapped loudly… Only now did she have a few minutes to calm her heart, to let her emotions, her heart, her soul drift away. She was infinitely sad. Pressing the pen, she carefully wrote the first lines in her still-blank volunteer diary.

And my new friends too. I love everyone so much. The days of volunteering were unforgettable. I feel more confident, more energetic, and more open-minded. Sadness, worries, relationships, a turbulent past, money, material things… I almost forgot everything. I immersed myself in a new life, a new home, new teammates, new brothers and sisters. I got to do what I love and live a more meaningful and humane life. I smiled more and made others smile more. It was so joyful to see my teammates, the women, the men, the children, and the young people excited when the volunteer group arrived. I loved the enthusiastic and warm handshakes. I cherished the simple, warm-hearted people here, and the nature – the endless green hills. It was truly a meaningful and unforgettable volunteer trip.

• Ms. Nam!
• Nam's back, guys!
• Hello, ma'am!

She could imagine a whole flock of wild ducks rushing out into the yard, greeting her with folded arms and whining, asking if she'd brought back any gifts for them all… She felt a surge of excitement. She quickly put down her pen, tossed her notebook into her backpack, tidied up her clothes, and ran out to her family. She wouldn't sit alone. She cast aside her ingrained ego. She opened her heart. She took a deep breath. She was different now. Different from the person she was ten days ago! The little girl from ten days ago was still sleeping somewhere. That little girl had once sobbed, "Dad, don't drink!", "Dad, don't sell the house!", "Dad, don't hit Mom!". That little girl had once been unstable, wavering, and giving up. That little girl had once clung tightly to a relationship with someone completely unworthy. A little girl who lived a secluded life, finding joy in her own happiness, and sadness in her own sorrow. That little girl was asleep now, sleeping peacefully in a distant, gentle, and ethereal world…