Two colors of flowers, two feelings in people's hearts. Someone welcomes Vu Lan by calling home. "Did Mom have dinner yet?" "How is Dad today, does his leg still hurt? These are normal questions, but for people who have lost their parents, there is no chance to ask anymore.
At that time, Vu Lan is a day to remember. Remembering the kitchen with mothers diligently cooking each dish, remembering fathers leaning against the door waiting for their children to return from long trips. Remembering warm meals, gathering the whole family. At that time, you don't know that a meal with parents by your side is a happiness that you can't buy back with anything later. Or the daily reminders that once made you uncomfortable, one day also become a sound that you can't hear again even if you want to.
But there are also people who still have parents to call home, still have a home to return to, still have embraceable arms and a meal with someone waiting. It's just that they always think they still have a lot of time. Pushing work, urging deadlines, continuous appointments. A phone call can be for tomorrow, a home trip can be for the weekend, a meal with parents will probably still be many times.
Until one day, you suddenly realize that the thing that never waits for you is time. Parents get older in the busyness of their children. Hair turns white, steps slow down, old stories are told more. Then one day, you suddenly realize that the kitchen is empty of mother's voice, in front of the door there is no longer a father waiting.
At that time, all "later" words are too late. Therefore, Vu Lan is not only for those who wear white flowers. It is also for those who are lucky enough to wear red flowers. If Mom is still home today, a home call is enough to make Mom happy. If Mom is still home, a morning sitting by her side, listening to her father tell old stories, may be what Dad expects most. Parents are far away, returning once is sometimes much more precious than many gifts. A meal eaten later than usual, a story heard from beginning to end, a warm hug, those small things are sometimes what parents expect.
As for those who no longer have parents, Vu Lan is an opportunity to return to memories. A stick of incense, an old photo, a dish that mother once liked, or just a moment of silence in front of the altar is enough to call back the distant years. There are loves when they are still present, you consider it obvious. When you die, you understand that it is the greatest peace of your life.
This Vu Lan season, if you still have parents, don't let love become a matter of tomorrow. A call when there are still listeners. A return when there are still waiting people. A hug when those arms are still there. Because there are calls, once they have entered the silent sky, they will never be called back.
