My memories of my mother growing up was a woman of great courage and strength.
My recollection of my mother’s courage and strength began during our family’s escape from Vietnam. While out at sea, we were rescued by the US Navy.
The ship could only bring a certain number of people on board; therefore, the first to enter the ship were women and children.
Only a few men made it on board after the ship was filled to capacity and unfortunately, my father wasn’t one of them.
My father, always thinking of the welfare of others, stayed behind to ensure that all women and children were evacuated and gave up his spot for some of the men to board the ship to safety.
As a result, the ship was full and we were separated from our father. While my father and a few other men were left behind to wait for the next rescue opportunity, my mother was alone on her way to another country with four children, all under 6 years old.
I can only imagine what she went through now being a mother myself.
Because of desperate times often requiring desperate measures, which in this case, meant sending the oldest out in search for food.
We were hungry. Her option was either leaving four kids all under six alone or stay behind with the little ones and sending the eldest to find food for all. Can you imagine having to make this choice?
So I went… I did what I had to do to help my mother find food for her kidlets.
At this point several families lost loved ones during the journey at sea and my mother didn’t know if she would reunite with her husband again.
Hearing this story retold as we got older and what a terrifying time it was, gave me a appreciation and admiration for my mother.
She was a brave young woman heading for the unknown, wondering how she was going to make it with four small children who were hungry, dirty and two who were asthmatic with no medication.
Mom & I at my wedding
All she could do was hope and pray. My mother was also a woman of faith.
A miracle indeed greeted our family as I found my father also on a mission to find us in the crowd of thousands in the refugee camp.
Her prayers sustained us during difficult times in our life and her prayers allowed her to eventually reunite with her daughter…our other sister who didn’t make the escape from Vietnam, as she was living with our grandmother at the time.
We were reunited with her eventually 14 years later.
My mother is a woman who exemplifies courage and strength; one that carried my siblings and me through the darkest times during our journey to America.
The power of a praying mama is the reason I’m still here today.
Thank you mom for being an example of courage, strength and faith.
“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. ~Proverbs 31:28; NIV”
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This moving story brought tears to my eyes. Happy Mother’s Day to you and your mother. God Bless!
Thanks so much!! Bless you!
This is so beautiful and moving Duong! We just had our last meal together and Brandon is spending quality time hanging out with them at the moment not realising that this may be Ong Noi’s last trip to VN. They really miss you guys and so anxious to get home. They’ll be leaving at 3.30am this morning to go back to ORD so pls keep them in your prayer.
I loved this post so much, for many reasons.
Thank you for bringing a tear to my eye.