09/12/06

The following are articles I have written throughout the years.  Per Dung's encouragement,
I saved these articles to commemorate our growing up together.  It is for Dung with all my heart.

A good friend of Dung and our family was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. Her name is Phuong.  After five treatments of chemo, 
Phuong received the bad news from the doctors that the therapy did not work.  She was totally devastated, and sank deeply into
depression.  For a week, she did not talk to anyone.  Just cried a lot.  Not knowing how to best comfort her, I wrote to her the following:

Dung and I were at church this morning, and one of the hymns makes me think about Phuong.  It goes "Be not afraid.  I go before you always.  Come follow me, and I will give you rest."

Phuong, be not afraid.  At 33 year old, Jesus died, but His legacy lives on forever.  He died a painful and humiliating death, and it was His ways of taking away our pain and suffering.  Just let it be, give Him your pain and suffering; and enjoy each day to its fullest.  Celebrate the glory of life by being with Man, Katherine and Tiffany.  Lots of hugs and kisses.  See the Glory of God in your family.  Look into your mother's eyes, and tell her you will be all right. She needs to hear it from you. Hold on to your father, because you will be stronger than he. Tell Hanh Dung, your other brothers and sisters that you love them, and that your love will be forever.

And never give up hope. There were faith, hope and love.  While you have demonstrated undying love and faith for your family.  Make certain that your hope is unquestionable as well. Start a new journal today.  A diary not of your suffering, but of hopes and dreams that you have for Katherine and Tiffany.  Teach them the values that have made everyone fall in love with you.  Open up your heart, and write to them your desires and your wishes for these two beautiful kids.  Make it so that they can feel your presence, your love and your faith.  For it is they, that are your hope. 

Dream of how you want Katherine's first Prom should be, and write it down.  Tell her what kind of car you would like her to have, when she starts to drive.  Write down what college you would like her to strive for.  And tell her how much you wanted her to find a right man to marry.  Paint her your vision of her life. And do the same for Tiffany.  Teach her how to use her intelligence for the benefits of others; the very same ways of how you live your life for others.  Call your journal "Be not afraid", because you will always be there for them.

This is the best way to get yourself through the tough times ahead.  Come follow Jesus, and let His ways be yours.  Celebrate your peace of mind, and let your children know that you will always be there for them.  Then rest.

Dung and I have faith in you.  We both love you and hope that your journal for Katherine and Tiffany would be of many volumes, because we both knows that there are not enough words in any encyclopedia to describe how great a Mommy, wife, family member, friend that you are.

May God bless you, accept you, and give you Health.