by Chu Khac-Anh

I remember the first time I came to ‘visit’ Grandma at her house in 1980. I could barely understand what she was saying because of her heavy Hue accent. She would ask me one thing and I would answer to her about something else. Our conversations were very confusing. Nonetheless, she treated me kindly and lovingly.

After that day, I was hoping that my relationship with Suong would blossom and that one day I would be a part of her family.

Through out all the years and the ups and downs of our marriage, never once did she raise her voice to me even though at times I knew I was way out of line for arguing with Suong in front of her when we were living in her house. I apologized to her later but she just simply said she understood…

She was very happy when I converted to Catholic, for years she always called and reminded me about all the important religious dates. But she has given up on me lately. Maybe because she knew I had no chance or Suong told her to forget about me.

I always remember my mother in law and my mom came to our apartment in Hollywood to take care of Brian for several weeks because Suong was sick a few days after giving birth to him. Brian was very difficult, he would not sleep unless he was lying on someone’s tummy. Both grandmas took turns to help him sleep thru the night but I knew my mother in law was doing most of the ‘turns’. I could tell thru her eyes how exhausted she was.

I think this is how she lived her life: loving, giving, caring with a strong conviction for her religion.

I love her as much as I love my mom.

I will miss her.