My sweet mom

We are taking a boat ride from Angkor Wat back to Phnom Penh. It is profound to watch families living in old floating boats with plastic, metal and if they are lucky wood roofs and sides. Such poverty and yet children wave and most people are in their daily subsistence duties of life and then look up and smile! People here are primarily Buddhist's. They might not visit the temple every week but they are living their faith. Cambodians, after the travesty of the Pol Pot regime where they lost one third of their population, are working their way up from loosing all their smart, professional 50 -90 year olds. They look forward to what they can create for themselves and are motivated by the loss of 3 million who died. I want my memories of Mom to inspire me as well...I want to carry her kindness, thoughtfulness, sense of humor and loving spirit with me. Mom had a quiet strength and strong faith I remember times I visited Betty and her family when the children were infant- toddlers and I thought to myself WOW how did Mom care for all of us and still have her calm? Coffee, chocolates and the late night quiet? I was and am inspired! One of my fondest memories of Mom is how she helped me with the academic and social struggles that happened when I made the transition from St. Theresa's. I was flunking everything and totally overwhelmed. She was positive that all would work out but also got me some tutors. I never felt shame, pressure or anything other than her quiet support. By the end of the year I was in National Honor Society! And I'm sure she encouraged me to play sports which changed my life then and has been such a big part of my adult life. Mom gave all of her children the gift of wings and yet she was paying close attention to our lives. Often she would send me a clipping about a home decoration idea or something that directly related to my life. She is the one who told me about Roth Ira's ! She was always listening. She contemplated and then communicated. Mom loved her "Happy Hour" Merce calls it "Senior Cheers!". We will go for one on this day and raise a toast to my dear mom. Indochina will be brighter as I light candles & incense and say prayers at so many holy temples in mom's honor. I can just hear her say "thank you, and say some for yourself!" I love you Mom. Annie http://www.tributes.com/show/93135247?active_tab=images

Location:Phnom Penh, Cambodia