Con Truong
By Grandson Daniel Truong
Just as one does not feel happiness without sorrow, I did not fully realize the influence my grandmother played with until her passing. My grandmother was a second mother to me. Cooking, cleaning, and keeping order in the house when my parents were working, she was a stern but loving influence in my younger years. As time passed, I guiltily confess I grew distant from her. Physically, we lived further apart than when I was a kid. Socially, my degrading Chinese stifled even the simplest chats. To lighten this guilt, I would ask my relatives who see her regularly about her doings, vicariously experiencing being with her. We both grew older and experienced our separate milestones. My first swim meets occurred at the same time as her first dialysis appointments. Now, my first winter break as a graduate student coincides with her passing.
Her passing made me realize many things. She was more than a person who gave me lucky envelopes on special occasions. She was an unwavering reminder of my heritage, an inspiration for my career path, and a reminder of the importance of compassion. As time passes, the loss will fully reveal itself, but so will my appreciation for her impact in my life.