-^-for posterity-^-

i have been concerned about going home. i have not yet been away from home for two years. last night i met someone who taught me about humility.

this man was an old friend. he has a wonderful smile and you would never know by his demeanor that he has an important position in this society. he has a friendly handshake.

he talked about his mother and her sister. they hadn't seen each other in forty years and they were going to finally meet after. his mother was from the mekong and his mother's sister lives in hong kong.

he sat at the table and showed emotion. it is so rare for anyone to show emotion here it moved me deeply. he put his hands on his face and sat quietly, not breathing. after a moment he removed his hands and said he was sorry. he talked about duty. he said that, after he took his mother to meet her sister, he would be able to die a happy man.

in vietnamese there is a word that we don't have in english. hieu thao. it means that a child does everything they can to help their parents because they owe their parents everything.

i don't know if i have hieu thao but he had it in spades. i envy.