There have been numerous people to include uncles and aunties who have influenced me whether by their personal characteristics, accomplishment or value. I have been thankful to have such wonderful teachers, professors who have taught me throughout my school years. In my adult life, I married to a wonderful husband who is a solid family provider. I've been fortunate to work with such great superiors, co-workers, and to have good relationship with my family, relatives, in-laws, and all dear friends. I value many political leaders who are very intelligent and their abilities to change our futures. I have seen many artists who possess natural & original creativity skills. There are many famous celebrities & fames…that have great aptitude talents.
Of all the people I have encountered in my life, the only one person whom I am grateful for and admire the most in this world is ...my FATHER. He was neither world famous nor a multi millionaire but, his character & his personality were certainly very important to me.
Since growing up as the oldest daughter of five siblings, I got to see how my father took great interests in his children’s live. He worked hard for his family. As much as his passion and his devotion to his work, his family was always the top number one priority goal. My father was humble but, he surely knew how to put smiles on my face. He raised and taught me through his unconditional love, wonderful examples and his great soft spoken words. He valued education and he made sure that I understood that. He spent a great deal of time with me. He praised and supported me through good and bad times.
During my father's study in France in the early year of 1975, shortly before the fall of Cambodia, the horrible news of the brutal Khmer Rouge regime of killing many people lives to include his father (kong Ky), his brother (kou Proeung), his sister (Ee Lim), all of his nieces & nephews and his own family. A heart wracked with much intense of pain as the death of all of his family was endured by an alone person all at the same time. Even though this tragedy was absolutely not his fault nor he had control over it; father felt like he was paying very high price in exchange of his family for his coming to France to study and therefore, he blamed himself for the death of his two children. Despite of his immense sorrow grief, father lead his life of not loosing his sense of self nor gave up on his goals & dreams but, with his courage and determination. My father was able to focus on his study until he obtained his doctorial degree. He used his knowledge to help his ministry in Cambodia. He showed love, kindness, support to his community and he continued to bring faith in Buddhism. The list would go on and on…..
Of everything that my father has done for me, his community, and his country, he was not only my father but my Role Model...He inspired me and touched my life in so many different ways. He was a very special person in my heart to whom I dearly love, deeply respected, highly looked up to, and most of all now he is forever missed.
Dearest Father: I want to express my heartfelt profound sincere thank you for all that you did for me; I wish to be just like you, and also to be born as your daughter again in the next life and every life afterward. May you rest in peace and may your good actions will bring you to Nirvana.
