It is easy to forget how daily interactions can impact our lives. The simplest ones with a family member or a stranger at the supermarket can make a difference. One of these special moments was when I had the privilege of spending time with my Auntie Mui, trimming her vegetables to be sold at the local farmers market the next morning. I loved to spend time with my Auntie Mui, because I could always count on her for a smile and loved her tasty foods and desserts.

During this visit, Auntie Mui shared some of the obstacles that she faced as she made her way to America. She had a dream of a better future for her family, free from communist control in Vietnam. She spoke of a time when floods of immigrants fled parts of South Asia to emigrate to ports. If caught, these individuals would be severely mistreated, and even that is an understatement. It was a time when hunger was the norm, and when scraped together food would barely hold her over. Auntie Mui would often go hungry to grind the leftover rice into handmade noodles for purchase. Uneaten beans would turn into bean sprouts as well, because every penny counted when mothers turned to other mothers to nurse their infants. It was a time of business innovation inspired by self-preservation. Often travelling by foot or with 4 children in tow, it took over 3 years of struggle, hardship and hope to see her dreams come to fruition. Auntie Mui's family was able to pay their way onto the next plane out of the Philippines to the land of dreams in exchange for a radio.

Upon arriving to the United States in 1981, Auntie Mui was 30 and could not speak any English. She had left behind all that was familiar to her. With the compassion of strangers whose relationships developed into life-long friendships, she leveraged her knowledge to quickly seek out opportunity to support her family. Soon, she was growing and selling vegetables door-to-door to make ends meet. Her sons and daughters received education, which she was never privileged to have in South Asia as a girl. Neither of us realized how her story would shape who I am today, because I was only 7 or 8 at the time. Auntie Mui taught me several principles and still reminds me of them to this day. First, she preached that anything is possible if you are willing to work for it in the land of opportunity. Success does not come without its sacrifices and trials. Next, I learned to appreciate life and all it has to offer, and to smile and enjoy the sweets. She also taught me to have compassion for others and myself. Life is not easy, and help others as often as you can.

At the age of 73, Auntie Mui spends her time in the garden, cooking and catching up with old friends. She enjoys spending time with her 15 grandchildren and appreciates life's advantages. She and my mother were my first examples of strong, independent women who faced numerous challenges, fears and unknowns. Despite this, they persevered. As I raise my 2 boys, I hope to impasse onto them and to others in my life some of the lessons that I took away from my Auntie Mui.