Tuesday, January 19, 2010
This week's theme is family. Although the picture is 39 years old, it is priceless. It was taken a couple of hours after we arrived to America. Dad was an American soldier when he met Mom in Vietnam. He could have abandoned me and my sister when he married her. Because of his big heart, he told her that sister and I were part of the package.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
I Remember my Maternal Grandma
13 comments Posted by Speaking from the Heart at Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Over Thanksgiving and Christmas, I have heard so many wonderful stories about my ancestors. There were also stories about my childhood, which I totally had forgotten. I have made a mental note of each story and have every intentions of documenting it. In order to help me in this area, I have decided to blog a weekly story about my ancestors,and about my and Prince Charming's childhood. I want to have these stories written down, before my memory escapes from me, and to leave a legacy for my children and for future generations.
When mom told me that she was going to remarry, and we were going to live in America, I was very excited. What seven year old wouldn't want the opportunity to fly in an airplane? It took a year for stepdad and mom to process our visas. During that time, I got to know my stepdad better. He was a gentle man. I knew he was going to take good care of me, sister and Mom. At the same time, I didn't want to leave my grandmother behind. She was my primary caregiver. Mom had to work, after my biological dad died . If I weren't in school, I was grandmother's shadow.
The reality of leaving my grandmother behind did not register, until the day I said my farewell to her. As I waved goodbye from inside of a taxi cab, and the image of her got smaller, flood of tears were nonstop. Every waking hour, I was crying. I was all right, when we were doing something; however, when it was time for bed, the crying began again. Tired of being on an airplane for two days, and dealing with my crying, My stepdad told me that he would give me something to cry about. He spanked me once. This is the first time he spanked me. Looking back, it might have stung, but I was humiliated by the whole ordeal. I told him that when I return to Vietnam, I would tell my grandmother.
Unfortunately, I never got the chance. I have not returned to Vietnam, and she passed away 20 years ago. However, Mom never let me forget her. Through the years, she told stories about grandmother and me. When I was a todler, after an afternoon nap, grandmother took me to the market for treats. On my first day of school, Grandmother took me to school and went on with her errands. When she returned home, guess who was waiting for her? Me.
As I watch Minnie with Mom, I am so happy that Minnie will have a lifetime of memories of her grandmother.
Friday, February 29, 2008
This little red sweater was made with love by my grandmother. She gave it to me before I left for America. Besides keeping me warm during those chili days and nights, the little red sweater was a constant reminder of my dear grandmother. Unfortunately, I never returned to Vietnam before she passed away.
When the little red sweater did not fit me anymore, I put it in the bottom of my drawer. Many times, the little red sweater ended up in the Goodwill bag. However, I managed to rescue it, before Mom made her trip to Goodwill. When I graduated from college, the little red sweater came with me.
When the little red sweater did not fit me anymore, I put it in the bottom of my drawer. Many times, the little red sweater ended up in the Goodwill bag. However, I managed to rescue it, before Mom made her trip to Goodwill. When I graduated from college, the little red sweater came with me.
The little red sweater was tucked away in the back of my dresser for many years, until dear daughter was old enough to wear it. Dear daughter wore the little red sweater for a couple years. Today, the little red sweater is safely tucked away. If the Lord is willing, I will see my grandaughter wearing it in 26 years from now.
For a 36 year-old sweater, it is still in good condition. There is no rip nor hole. This little red sweater has become a family heirloom. I hope that as each generation wears it, her mom will tell the adventure of the little red sweater.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
For more Thankful Thursday, click on the clipart.
I would like to tribute this joyfyul Thankful Thursday to two very special men, my stepdad Ron and my father-in-law Pete. This is part 2 of 2 of last week's Thankful Thursday.In the early 70's, these 25+ year old men took on great responsibilities. When they got married, each of them gained an instant family. Each had to share his bride with her children. Ron and Pete never complaint how hard it was to raise someone else's kids. They treated the children, as if they were theirs. Ron and Pete worked hard to provide food, clothing, and shelter for their already-made families.
While dear husband and I were growing up, we did not understand what big sacrifices our dads had made for our moms and siblings. Like all teenagers, we had our moments with our stepdads. Like Christ, Ron and Pete loved us unconditionally. [They] Didn't Have To Be (by Brad Paisley)
Ron has gone home to be with the Lord. However, we are blessed to still have Pete with us. He turned 70 this past May. He loves spoiling his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Sweets is his weakness. He hides his "emergency" sweets all around the house. It's funny how his grandchildren and great grandchildren can find these sweets without a clue. He is a softy when it comes to his grandchildren.
Thank you, Lord for allowing the paths of Ron and Trinh, as well as the paths of Pete and Susie, to cross. If this wasn't in your plans, Dear Husband and I would not be blessed with a wonderful marriage and two wonderful children.
P.S. I want to thank Iris for hosting Thankful Thursday. It has helped me to express my thankfulness to my loved ones.
P.S.S. Although Dad and I had made peace with each other before he went HOME, I didn't have a chance to say good-bye. He died on the day that I talked myself out of visiting him. I encourage you today to reconcile with your loved ones, before it is too late. We never know what tomorrow will bring.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
For more Thankful Thursday, click on the clipart.
I am thankful for my Mother and Stepdad. Mom become a strong woman through many life struggles. Her dad died when she was a teenager. Being next to the oldest, she took it upon herself to take care of her Mother and nine brothers. Mom attended high school during the day, and worked as an assitance seamstress after school. Knowing that she didn't want to be a seamstress for the rest of her life, she enrolled in a business school after high school.
Following her secondary education, Mom married my biological father and started a family. Mom began to enjoy life again. However, this changed forty five days after the birth of my sister. My biological dad was shot by a Viet Cong.
With a business background and 13 mouths to feed, Mom went to work for the U.S. Army (MACV), where she met my stepdad. He fell in love with her instantly. After finishing his second tour in Germany, he returned to Vietnam and proposed to her. Unlike many mothers, who abandoned their children for a better life, Mom told stepdad about me and sister. When he met us, he fell in love with us instantly. He told Mom that there was no way that they were going to leave Vietnam without me and Sister. We left for America in 1971.
Stepdad went Home to be with the LORD in 2001. I am thankful for my Stepdad, because he had been the only dad I knew for 30 years. He provided me with food, clothes, and shelter. He worked hard so I could go to college. He walked me down the aisle on the day of my wedding. Finally, he loved me as if I was his biological child.
This is part 1 of 2 Thankful Thursday. Click here for part 2.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Thankful Thursday: Uncle HY
6 comments Posted by Speaking from the Heart at Friday, December 28, 2007
One thing I regret in my life was not being able to return to Vietnam to see my grandmother, before she passed away. I often wonder what happened to her, my uncles, aunts, and cousins after I left. I had the opportunity to have my questions answered when Unlce Hy visited me in 2007.
Vietnam was leaning towards communism in 1971. Because Uncle Hy was an officer for South Vietnam, he was put in prison many times. While he was in jail, Mom married my stepdad. After marriage, Mom and dad filed papers for our passports. Grandmother Ly was happy that we were going to live in a better place. At the same time, she was sad, because she was losing her only daughter and grandchildren.
Mom and Grandmother Ly kept our plans a secret. If communists knew, they would have arrested us. After we said good bye to Grandmother Ly, she went to see Uncle Hy to tell him that his sister and nieces have left for America that morning.
The fall of Vietnam was unavoidable as the years pass. While we were taking our freedom for granted in America, Grandmother Ly, Uncle Hy and his brothers were suffering. Not only did Viet Cong arrested Uncle Hy again, they also took my 7 year old cousin into captivity. With the help of a friend, the guards set my cousin free. Uncle Hy spent many years in a prison camp. The first two times he tried to escape, Viet Cong captured him, and returned him to camp for a beating. However, he did succeed in his third attempt. Uncle Hy knew he had gained his freedom, as he sailed towards America in a over-filled boat.
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