I am Beautiful!

This morning for the very first time, I looked in the mirror and told myself that I am beautiful!

Mom said,” My daughter, I am sorry that I wasn’t there for you when you had your chickenpox. I was giving birth to your brother. You kept itching your face. There was no one there to stop you. Now, you have scars from it. You are dark like me. In my culture, this is considered ugly. You have the dark skin and scars on your face. Oh my poor daughter. That is ok my daughter. Sometimes, beautiful people have such ugly soul and personality. You have a beautiful soul…your dad and I don’t have much to give to you and your younger siblings. But we have a lot of love for you kids. Now that we are in America, I need you to not forget what we have taught you about ours values, cultures, traditions, and ours morals and don’t forget where you came from…  I need you to respect the elder, to have compassion for the poor, the disable, women and children and even the rich people too. I need you to give back when is possible, I need you to be strong for our family because after your father and I, you are next in line to take care the family. Your father and I don’t speak English. I need you to be the brave one to help us with our new lives here. Your father and I got us here. It is up to you kids. Always appreciate anything that is given to you and anyone in your life. Most importantly, I want you to value education. I never had the opportunity to go to school. I don’t even know how to help you with this. I know you will find a way to do so. You are in America now. Where the opportunity for education is for everyone! So take advantage of that, ok?

When you are kind to people, they will remember you. When you are generous, they will remember you. When you think of other, they will remember you.

Beautiful soul, beautiful mind, and beautiful heart that who you are; people will remember you. Ugly in the inside, people don’t want to be around you. They might be at first but in the end, you will be alone. If you do these things that I have taught you and will continue to guide you, you will continue to have a beautiful soul, mind and heart.

I get it now mom. Thank you!

A Celebration of Chanthan Life...

“Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity.” Buddha

Our beloved mother passed away last Saturday morning…

We hope you could join us this Saturday to remember our caring and loving mother, a wife & a friend:

A Celebration of Chanthan Life

Saturday, April 13, 2013

10:00AM: Buddhist Monks Service

12:30 PM: Parade Around the Lake

1:30PM: Buddhist Chatting/Blessing
601 Crane Street, Suite D, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530

With Love and Gratitude

Aftermath of Death: The Day Of...Comes Grief.

Dear mom, I miss you already. Even though I am sad, I know you are at PEACE and in a better place now. No more suffering and/or pain. I know you believe in reincarnation. In your new life, may your spirit be rebirth with excellent health, long life, joy, love, happiness, and no suffering. You will always be missed and loved. I know your spirit will always be with us. Matter of fact, I did yoga outside this morning, and I felt your presence there with me…I love you, mom. Your eldest daughter Rest In Peace Mom.

Acceptance of Death

Isn’t funny how life works sometimes? It throws some joyful moments into the journey along with sadness and suffering at the same time. All one can do, is just be and experience it. Take it one day at a time, as I have been told to do. I guess even KG the dog, knows that mom doesn’t have that much time with us. He has been acting strangely and seems sad too. In the middle of everything, I found out that everyone deals with the situation differently. At this moment, yoga has seemed to be my way of coping... Everything in life has its beginnings and it ends. All we can do is to embrace it all that is offered… I know in our western culture, we are socially constructed to not talk about death. But just like birth, it is part of life. It is a constant battle for me too. Sometimes, I feel that there is nothing wrong to celebrate death as we do with birth. Other times because it brings so much pain to my heart just to think about it. As hard as it is to accept it, it is part of life, as I would tell myself. I don’t know how I am going to react or what will happen to me in the aftermath. All I know is that the loves, supports, and prayers from friends and family have helped. Your prayers, kind words, hangouts, and simple phone calls and/or text have got me through this far. I know most of you have not been through this yet and don’t know what to say. To be honest, you don’t really have to say much. Just being there and sharing your life experience with me, is a lot. Thank you for your continuous thoughts, positive energy, loves, and supports, and allow me to share my experience thus far with you, on this roaster coaster that I am dealing with, at this moment of my life. Thank you.