Bầm ơi
The air hangs heavy with the scent of incense and woodsmoke, a familiar lullaby from a childhood spent nestled in the folds of her billowing skirts. "Bầm ơi," I whisper, the Vietnamese word for "mother" a balm on my tongue, a talisman against the creeping chill of a world that feels too big, too loud. The memory of her, ever-present, softens the edges of my loneliness. <br/ > <br/ >#### Echoes of "Bầm ơi" in the Kitchen <br/ > <br/ >Bầm ơi, teach me again how to coax the perfect char onto the catfish, how to tell when the caramel is just the right shade of amber, how to fold the bánh xèo so it crackles just so when dipped in nước chấm. The kitchen, her domain, was where the symphony of "Bầm ơi" played out in a thousand different ways. Each dish, a testament to her love, each bite, a whispered prayer of gratitude. <br/ > <br/ >#### The Weight of "Bầm ơi" on My Shoulders <br/ > <br/ >"Bầm ơi," I murmur, the weight of the world settling on my shoulders, mirroring the burdens she carried with quiet grace. Her sacrifices, woven into the fabric of my being, fuel my every ambition. The echo of her voice, a constant reminder of the strength that resides within, urging me to rise, to strive, to honor the legacy she so lovingly crafted. <br/ > <br/ >#### Finding Solace in the Melody of "Bầm ơi" <br/ > <br/ >The world spins on, a kaleidoscope of joys and sorrows, triumphs and heartbreaks. Through it all, the memory of "Bầm ơi" remains a constant, a soothing melody that guides my steps. In the quiet moments of reflection, I find solace in the echo of her laughter, the warmth of her embrace, the unwavering belief that shone from her eyes. <br/ > <br/ >The scent of incense fades, the embers of memory flicker and dim. Yet, the essence of "Bầm ơi" lingers, a beacon in the darkest night, a testament to the enduring power of a mother's love. It is a legacy etched not on stone, but on the very fabric of my soul, a legacy I will carry with me, always and forever. <br/ >