Grand daugthers

The grand daughters (R-L) Samantha Phoumindr, Evelyn Phengkhamkip, Tara Phounsavanh, Austina Phoumindr and Tammy Phounsavanh, remembering their beloved grandparents on the Commemoration Day. All grandchildren were very close to their grandparents since their birth until Grandpa and Grandma passed away 3 years ago. Photo by Tong 11/10/09

Commemoration Day (Kong Attha) for our parents at Wat Phrayortkeo Dhammayanaram, Sydney, Australia

The Phoumindr family (R-L) Fongchanh, Phayvanh, Ananh, Phonephanh & Soukanh (missing from photo - Dr Niranh who lives in Laos) on the Commemoration Day 11/10/2009 for our late parents, Mr Khamkhong & Mrs Malay Phoumindr. Photo by Khamronh Chaophrasy.

A frangipanni at Wat Phu Champassak - Photo taken by Pauline 2009

On a breezy day at Wat Phu Champassak, I walked along the amazing path leading to the ancient Wat which has been standing tall for thousands of years. I was born in Pakse. My mother was born in Champassak and my father was born in Vientiane, although he told us his ancestors came from the North and he called himself "Lao Puan". My background makes me rich, not in terms of money, but in terms of mind openness and flexibility.
I enjoy just about everything surrounding me, at Wat Phu. Unarguably, Wat Phu is stunning. It is a place of tourism for visitors but for the locals, Wat Phu is their heart and a place of worship.
I have visited Wat Phu many times and have written about it before. But everytime I visited Wat Phu, I was still excited as if it was my first time. One very strange thing I must admit, is that when I walked around Wat Phu, I felt like I walked around my own home. I had a feeling that I knew every room and every space of the grand hall, the small rooms and the huge territory which undoubtedly would have been used for a lot of activities - sports, festivals, religious and important events.
My grandmother and mother used to tell me stories about Wat Phu that were associated with their childhood, their life and their up-bringing in Champassak. This time, none of them was there to tell me any story anymore. Grandma has gone long time ago and Mum has just recently gone to Heaven to be with Dad who went not long before her.
I miss them ... very much! I never thought one day they would be gone! Whenever I think of them, I know that they are there always ... in my heart. Only now that I realise that people don't die ... they are just no longer there physically. But they are real and well alive in your mind and your heart.
Mum, Dad I love you. I know that I am so lucky to be born as your daughter. You have taught me to be RICH ... so rich in imagination, creativity, passion and generosity towards people who are not as lucky as I am. You taught me to give and to share and not to expect anything back but my own inner happiness and self-satisfaction. You also taught me that sharing knowledge is the best of all!
Grandma, you taught me to be a "little bookworm" since I was a little girl, despite the fact that you were totally illiterate. You asked me to read "Vannakhady" books to you because you could not read them yourself - Xiengmieng, Nang Tantai, Sangsinxay etc. You asked me to read the Prayers from Dhamma books for you and you amazingly remembered everything and that made you proud when you said the Prayers at the temple.
My tears have never been dried inside me but I know that they were tears of appreciation and thoughtfulness and not ... unhappiness! Whenever I feel desperate, my parents and my grandma are there to support me. Whenever I am successful, I can feel their pride and I can even visualise their warm smiles.
Thank you with all my heart for your precious advice which has embedded in my mind. I promise you I will never give up ... I will do things I strongly believe in, I will fight against injustice, I will encourage the weaks and I will help the needy. Grandma, I will follow the inspiring footsteps of Buddha as you have always reminded me when you were alive. And most importantly, I will look after myself and will never lose sight.
With all my love to my parents and Grandma.
PP
Sydney, Australia