Happy Thanksgiving from all of us.

Celebrating Mom's birthday last weekend at Huyen's ranch.
Wished you were there.
Perhaps you were.

A wave of nostalgia hit me as I looked at anh Tin's photos.  One day he was full of life, and the next day he was gone.  I couldn't imagine how chi Ba, Kieu, and the rest of their family must have felt.  He didn't have a chance to say goodbye, to have the last sacrament, or to arrange matters to pass on.  

As we thought it was the best way to die (no pain, no suffering), we couldn't help but thought about how prepared we were for the day God would call us home.  

Yes, how prepared are we for ourselves and for our loved ones in case of a stroke, a heart attack, a car accident, a flight accident, or any sudden death? 

For our souls, do we hold on to grudges, resentments, hatred and blame?  Or do we fill our heart every moment with love and gratitude? 

For our loved ones, what will we leave behind for them?  Good memories or hurtful ones?  Liabilities or assets?  

No one can live for us or die for us.  No one can know what day is our last.  The only thing we know for certain is this very moment this day.  Do we fill ourselves with expectations or appreciations?  Do we love, feel joy, spread sunshine to others no matter what weather and circumstances today may bring?

Just some foods for thought on a Sunday morning.

Huyen

Hello Huyen,

Great thoughts.

Such sentiments will become more intense as you get older.
And then one day, when you are ready to go home to God: nothing matters.

It will no longer be about pain and suffering, nor about the ones we love, and absolutely not about assets or liabilities.

It will be about you and God, just you and God.

Then nothing matters.

God matters.

I learned this from observing the last days of Dad’s life.

Dad validated Luke 23:46,

Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit”; and when he had said this he breathed his last.

Then the only true message is this: how do we live a life worthy of God’s mercy.

God won’t care about how large your bank account is, but He appreciates the missions you’ve done in the name of charity.

He won’t care about the houses you owned, but He knows the love when you looked into the eyes of a poor widow.

He won’t care about the title you have, but He sees your tears when you hugged a crying child.

Live your life worthy to be welcomed into the embrace of God.

But of course, Anh Tin, his family, and everyone already know that.

Don’t we.

Vui

Yes.  I remember how dad thought about the MDA folks.  (Actually, Khoa and I made that poster for dad). I remember clearly, that without a penny in his pocket, dad was able to leave us many assets before he died.  The assets had nothing to do with money, houses, or title.  Dad was appreciative of the help he received.  Dad had faith, hope, and love.  He himself was an asset.  But the biggest asset he left for my family is:  He believed in us:  in me, in Phuoc, in Chau, and in Khoa.  

Many nights I spent with dad, in MDA and at home.  Dad and I said nightly prayers together.  Dad said many meaningful prayers.  He didn't broadcast how he prayed or whom he prayed for.  But his prayers left huge imprints in my heart. 

In his last days, dad also said many times that he would not leave us with liabilities.  That he didn't owe anyone anything, be it emotional or monetary.  He reassured us that we won't need to pay anyone for anything that he did or didn't do.

Dad knew about the soul, about God, about life after this life.  But he spoke from his heart with his own words.  He didn't quote the Bible, didn't speak like he was God or a medium of God, or a medium of any dead person.  When dad saw a sign of Mother Mary from the window of his hospital room, he took it as God's personal message to him.  On occasions, Dad saw God and deceased relatives in his dreams, but he didn't interpret them as a message to be delivered to others.  Dad had a clear distinction between dreams and using his dreams for interpretation of his subconscious judgements of others.

Yes, I remember clearly many things about dad.  

Huyen



In loving memory of
Francisco Savie Le Van Tin

On August 19, 2016
Three days after Anh Tin passed away, our family here in the US gathered together to join the larger family in Vietnam to offer prayers for the soul of Anh Tin, as well as for his family.

May the Lord bless Anh Tin and Keep him;
May the Lord let His Face shine upon Anh Tin and be gracious to him;
May the Lord look kindly upon him, and grant Anh Tin eternal peace.

May the Lord look with mercy upon his family and grant them strength
with faith eternal.
Amen.

Khoi biked 4,000 miles for cure of cancer cause.
May the Lord bless those with cancer.

Pray for us, Dad.

Dad,
Pray for Mom.
She is about to go into surgery tomorrow for her knee replacement.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

 

Happy Father's Day, Dad.
May the Lord bless you and keep you;

May the Lord let His Face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
May the Lord in His mercy bless your soul and grant you eternal Peace.



Missing you, Dad, this Memorial Day 2016

Memorial Day 053016

 

We gather at your grave this morning to pray.
Mom and all of your children, except for Huyen,

who is doing a mission in Vietnam, made it.

Anh Hung P and his family ran a little late,

so we started the rosary prior to their arrival.

 

We said the rosary together.
Chi Vy asked me to read a passage from my book.

I read the first passage, and it was about

your arrival back to our house in Saigon in March 1975.

I concluded, "It was our happiest day in Vietnam."

 

I also read a second passage.
It was the passage describing the time you were wounded.

Then I asked everyone to say a prayer for you, Dad.

The short meeting at your grave was simple,

but your memory lives on.

 

May the Lord bless you and keep you;

May the Lord let his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;

May the Lord look kindly upon you and grant you peace.

And in such peace, Dad, pray for us.
That God would bless us with happiness and peace in this life and next.
Amen.