Ti's Three Reasons

3 reasons to thank God for having Cau Nam in my life:

1) His humor

2) His tender love

3) His courage


First, given all the wild parties these past few nights and more to come, Cau Nam knows how to draw a crowd. Friends, families and strangers (nurses and orderlies) flock to him non-stop. He can make everyone burst out laughing with his quick quip. His breathing may be labored, but his wit and humor shift into overdrive when he has everyone’s attention. For example, after communion one day, without missing a beat, he recommended to me ‘May thay giong lam Cha.’ How can anyone forget a hilarious uncle like that!

It is a special privilege for me to bring the Eucharist to the sick. Because it is in these special moments that Jesus’ Love and Presence are manifested so clearly in His weakened loved ones. One day, as there was no table to place the Eucharist (contained inside a pyx) by his hospital bed, I placed the pyx in Cau Nam’s hand to begin the prayers. He so tenderly brought It to his lips to kiss Jesus. What grace! What love! What faith! It was with such tender love reserved for the baby Jesus in this Christmas season! It is this tender lifelong love that he holds so carefully in his heart for his children. It is with the same tender love that he quietly loves and longs for his children as the tears readily drop when he thinks of them. Cau Nam has taught me so much in such a short time. Through his unspoken actions, he reveals such depth and breadth of a father’s love for his children.

Even though Cau Nam prefers to have it his way, his heroic courage and acceptance of the inevitable is a tough act to follow. He refuses all the fuss to keep him comfortable. He bravely bears the pain as the cancer mercilessly invades his body. He even puts up with sincere efforts to help yet unfortunately inflict more pain. During one breathing treatment while he was still asleep, he repeatedly brushed off the mask. I readjusted and did so again until I realized that it was too tight. So carefully I tugged on the elastic band. It would not budge. I tugged and tugged until… snap! Yikes! Cau Nam winced in pain and with one opened eye looked to see the perpetrator. I couldn’t have crawled into a hole fast enough. But with such kind acceptance, I knew he totally forgave me.

I thank God for Cau Nam. I thank God for the joy he has brought into my life and into my family’s life. May we all be reunited in heaven one day.

Love,

Ti