|
As promised here is part 2 written by Karla DeSimone, or as I lovingly call her, The D. simon girl: Enjoy
Started with a soccer ball part 2;
With many hours passed it was so hard to leave Truong's, but it was time to visit Cong's family. Initially when I was preparing for this trip, I really hoped to visit both of the heart surgery recipients my husband David and I were blessed to fund, but since I didn't know where they lived, I told Tu that I would "settle" to only visit Troung if they lived too far from one another. It turned out they only lived about an hour apart from each other, so while initially,
|
|
|
Before leaving I HAD to give Truong a new soccer ball
|
I would have "settled" not traveling to Cong's home, I can now tell you that thankfully I did not miss out on seeing Cong's family. Just like visiting Troung's family, we drove only so far and then needed an "escort" to find the family's home. I was told that Cong was very healthy now and working in Ho Chi Minh City, so I would not get to see him on this trip, but I would see his Mom. But as we approached the stopped motorbike in the road, I saw who I thought to be Cong and definitely Cong's mother, Do. I turned to Tu and said, "I think that is Cong... and perhaps... he returned to his village to surprise me?"
From the moment we entered Cong's home, relative after relative came in to meet the lady who had helped Cong. But the big surprise was on me when I was introduced to Cong's twin brother! No wonder why he looked so familiar to me!
We had just eaten well at Troung's home, but as "expected", Cong's Mom had also gone all out and prepared us a feast as well. Plate after plate of octopus and fish and mint and tomato magically appeared on the table. As at Truong's home, this was not like being invited into the home of a stranger, but rather like an afternoon of visiting family. It made me think of all the "things" I have thoughtlessly used my money for over the years... but realizing funding these boy's heart surgeries truly is, without a doubt, the best money ever spent. Both Truong's Mom and now Cong's Mom, invited our driver to come from his car into their homes and join in on the meal and the conversation. It warmed my heart to know, that neither Mom missed the opportunity to have our driver be a part of such a special day.
Time zipped by and when it was time to leave, once again our car followed Cong's twin and his Mom back to the main road. We got to the spot we had met them a few hours before and was about to ask our driver if I could wave and say goodbye one last time to Cong's Mom...but Cong's Mom had different plans! She jumped into our van to give me one last big hug!
|
|
|
One last hug...
|
My cup overflowed today with love. As a Mom to my two sons, Luke and Noah, I know firsthand a mother's love. I can't imagine what it would feel like to be the one who could not afford to save my son's life because of the cost of the heart surgery. I thank GIBTK for allowing me to be a part of Troung and Cong's lives and seeing the utter joy of a Mom knowing their sons are healthy. I am grateful I didn't miss out on today. A day where I was welcomed into the homes of two heart surgery recipients through GIBTK and where I was welcomed like family... far from my little home in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.
|
|
|
"We're JUST moms!"
|
With love;
Karla DeSimone
|
