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To bury or burn…

No one ever wants to talk about death. It’s such a morbid topic. It makes people sad and uncomfortable. As I sit here in total darkness because the little one fell asleep, I wonder if we’re meant to be happy all the time. I can probably relive most of my day and recount all theContinue reading “To bury or burn…”

Call me a fruit basket

All my life people would ask me, “What are you?” Honestly, what kind of question is that? I’m a human. What are you? “Where did you come from? “My mother.” I swear, people ask questions worded in the most ridiculous ways. But, I digress. What’s my ancestral background? It’s taking me a lifetime to figureContinue reading “Call me a fruit basket”

Fix You

Yesterday was one of those cultural days when you pray for loved ones who have passed. So my mom tries to cook all the foods my dad cooked when he was here for these exact days: stir fried egg noodles; “chop chai” pork rib soup with cabbage, carrots, pork meat balls; boiled chicken with chickenContinue reading “Fix You”

Damn this Washer/Dryer

Dad was resourceful and clever. He knew so much. He could fix anything. For a guy who had little education, he was the jack of all trades. Other than fixing computers, he could fix anything in the house and he always did. He also had an amazing sense of direction. He never got lost andContinue reading “Damn this Washer/Dryer”

Those days that come… every year

That one night a year ago was the night that would be the beginning of the end for Dad. I wasn’t there. I remember telling him the day before that he needed to be good because I wouldn’t be around to take him to the hospital if he needed. I said it jokingly because that’sContinue reading “Those days that come… every year”

Keeping the Past Alive

I kind of had a feeling last year’s birthday would be my Dad’s last birthday with us. Seems so pessimistic but he was so frail. I could see it in the pictures from the beginning of last year to his birthday. He had lost so much weight. I should have taken more pictures. I wishContinue reading “Keeping the Past Alive”

Where are you from?

Such a loaded question… so much history… so much pain of memories wanting to forget but never forgetting. No wonder my parents never went into details. 1. They didn’t want to and 2. they couldn’t show me. People, me included, have this delusional idea of what it’s like to be a refugee. Oh yea! YouContinue reading “Where are you from?”

Off to a New Life

Dad didn’t talk much. When he did, he liked to talk about current events and cooking. He was an amazing chef. I always wished I could cook like Dad. He made this delicious steak with a lemon grass spicy fish sauce dip. I remember right before Dad passed, my brother tried to replicate it butContinue reading “Off to a New Life”

Where do I come from?

I always thought this simple question was only something I asked. But, as I’ve aged, I realize this is a very common question. It’s a simple question, but then again, sometimes it’s not. The answer could be so simple as Mommy and Daddy made you. I spent years trying to figure it out because myContinue reading “Where do I come from?”