Comments on: The Simple Things http://fourtran.com/2007/10/29/the-simple-things/ (actually, three Trans and a Cao) Sat, 22 Nov 2008 08:22:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 By: Jennifer http://fourtran.com/2007/10/29/the-simple-things/#comment-142 Jennifer Mon, 05 Nov 2007 04:11:21 +0000 http://fourtran.com/2007/10/29/the-simple-things/#comment-142 <p>Thanks Nikki and Auntie Ngocy for your words of encouragement. Many times, as parents, or as friends, siblings, children even, tend to associate gift giving as symbols of love and appreciation. But, nothing beats a simple "thank you" or "I love you" from time to time. And, with things, we quickly grow bored of it and yet spend so much time and energy to obtain. It's hard to find a balance. Sometimes, I feel like a bad parent if I do give in and get Nathan that choo-choo train or ball that he wants (although he has a million of those at home). But, I also feel like a bad parent if I don't because I can, but I don't. My priest gave a sermon about something very similar to what Nikki's priest had preached, and he mentioned Mother Theresa and how she said although we are not a country poor of materialistic things, we are a country lacking in family and community interaction and cohesiveness; it is this that makes us such a sad country.</p> Thanks Nikki and Auntie Ngocy for your words of encouragement. Many times, as parents, or as friends, siblings, children even, tend to associate gift giving as symbols of love and appreciation. But, nothing beats a simple “thank you” or “I love you” from time to time. And, with things, we quickly grow bored of it and yet spend so much time and energy to obtain. It’s hard to find a balance. Sometimes, I feel like a bad parent if I do give in and get Nathan that choo-choo train or ball that he wants (although he has a million of those at home). But, I also feel like a bad parent if I don’t because I can, but I don’t. My priest gave a sermon about something very similar to what Nikki’s priest had preached, and he mentioned Mother Theresa and how she said although we are not a country poor of materialistic things, we are a country lacking in family and community interaction and cohesiveness; it is this that makes us such a sad country.

]]> By: Auntie Ngocy http://fourtran.com/2007/10/29/the-simple-things/#comment-141 Auntie Ngocy Sat, 03 Nov 2007 16:30:25 +0000 http://fourtran.com/2007/10/29/the-simple-things/#comment-141 You know, we have seen many family members who are parents who well, need to ask themselves these questions. I told Jeff that we must remember how our parents raised us...it wasn't about things, it was about respecting your elders, respecting people, be gracious for what you have and to give when you can. Spreading the love. You and Loi are great parents and you'll find your answers just fine. At least you're asking them. You know, we have seen many family members who are parents who well, need to ask themselves these questions. I told Jeff that we must remember how our parents raised us…it wasn’t about things, it was about respecting your elders, respecting people, be gracious for what you have and to give when you can. Spreading the love.

You and Loi are great parents and you’ll find your answers just fine. At least you’re asking them.

]]> By: Nikki and Daniel http://fourtran.com/2007/10/29/the-simple-things/#comment-139 Nikki and Daniel Tue, 30 Oct 2007 21:36:26 +0000 http://fourtran.com/2007/10/29/the-simple-things/#comment-139 Those are very interesting questions, and I think you will do just fine finding your answers. This reminds me very much of what our priest in CA, surrounded as we were by wealth and wonderful distractions, was fond of telling us. To paraphrase: it's so much harder to live virtuous AND affluent lives. *Sigh* Those are very interesting questions, and I think you will do just fine finding your answers. This reminds me very much of what our priest in CA, surrounded as we were by wealth and wonderful distractions, was fond of telling us. To paraphrase: it’s so much harder to live virtuous AND affluent lives. *Sigh*

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