Home of the Four Trans

I wouldn’t exactly say I come from a family of gourmet chefs. My parents worked quite often while my siblings and I were young, as is the typical life of immigrants back then. While my parents were at work, my Grandma raised my second sister and I, and we enjoyed her home cooked Vietnamese ham, rice, egg rolls, stir fry and sauteed this and that, and various noodle dishes from little tots until our pre-teen years. It seemed effortless the way she threw our meals together, and it always tasted so yummy. Until this day, at the age of 96, her cooking is still unsurpassable.

When she left us to move in with my youngest uncle as he took on the duty of caring for his elderly mother, she left with her homemade meals, also. There were those traditional extended family meals that my Grandma contributed to every Saturday or Sunday where all my aunts, uncles, and cousins gathered around the table of someone’s house for dinner after Mass. But, the days of daily home cooked meals were over (until I got to college).

My parents were busy trying to keep a roof over our heads, and provide food on our table. Priorities, I understand that.

But, I sure missed homemade meals. And, nightly family meals.

Fast forward a decade and half later. I am the parent struggling to care for my children. But, my circumstances are much different than theirs back then. I don’t have to struggle in the same way they had, having to find work with limited English and education or trying to build a home in a foreign land.

I am a privileged, college educated stay-at-home mom while my husband puts his smarts to work. My husband has a similar background to mine, as his parents are immigrants, also.

There were many missed family meals and time. But, our parents’ sacrifices gave us opportunity.

Our parents’ sacrifices gave me the opportunity to bake red velvet cupcakes with my dear 3.5 year old, Nathan, today. At 3 o’ clock in the afternoon while Justin was napping. And, chicken filled rice paper egg rolls for snacking. And, chicken pot pie for dinner.

I had never thought of myself the cooking type. There was a time when I prided myself in not knowing how to cook (hint: I ate out all the time). Don’t ask, I don’t get it either.

Once we started our family, though, my ability to cook became very important to me. I have come to learn that it is through food that you can bring and keep your family together. I think my mother-in-law does this best.

So, I watched Food Network. I secretly watched my mother-in-law cook her secret recipes. I tried to emulate dishes I enjoyed at restaurants. I looked through recipe websites for inspiration. I cooked.

Then, one day, when I least expected it, I was called a gourmet chef. By Justin’s occupational therapist. She had noticed all the special meals I prepared for him.

The greatest reward, though, is when Nathan complements my cooking with, “Mmmmm, yum! I like this food.”

It’s all love, Baby.

I’d be lying if I said I am a wonderful cook. Loi actually is. But, I’m trying.

So, here we come full circle with me struggling in my own way as a parent, trying my best for my family in the best way I know how. And, with hope that I’m building opportunity for them to have a better life than mine.

P.S–Justin’s cardiology appointment went well on Tuesday. But, I needed a day to gather my thoughts before sharing. Thanks for the prayers!

This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 4th, 2009 at 1:20 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.