The Immortal Seeds: Life goes on for a Khmer family by Sambath Meas

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"Mom. Dad."

"What is it?" asked my father.

"Say I‘m three years old. We live in Cambodia. Time is tough. You and mom are destitute, hungry, and desperate. Would you force me to beg on the street or sale me to a human trafficker?"

"What?" asked my mother.

"What story are you reading now?" asked my father.

"Many, actually, but that’s not the point. Would you force me to beg people for money or sale me to god-knows-who?"

"What kind of question is that? No time was tougher and more desperate than when we lived under the Khmer Rouge. How could you ask that kind of question? I snuck out, bartered, and stole from the organization, willing to die to provide for you and your mom. You would cry when you see the last few pieces of food. Your mother and I would refrain from eating so you'd have enough to eat. I dodged bombs and bullets to rescue you and your mother. I slept with a long blade knife, at the ready, should they [the Khmer Rouge] come for us. In Khoa I Dang I snuck out of the refugee camp and meandered through the village to find more food for you; instead, I got my ass kicked by Thai soldiers. Whenever, wherever, I’ll always find a way to protect and provide for my family."

"Awww. That's touching, Dad," I said, restraining my amusement. I knew it couldn’t possibly be easy for him to say all that, knowing Asian parents, especially him, don’t normally express sentiment and love to their children.

My father is right. He and my mother have always been protective and nurturing parents. They work hard, make sacrifices, and put their children first. And now they put their grandchildren first.

From the moment of conception, we are helpless and vulnerable being; therefore, who you are born into could inspire or damage you.

My parents are not perfect. They didn’t necessarily know what was best for my younger sister and me. They couldn’t give us wealth and luxury, but they did their best to put a roof over our heads, give us clean clothes, keep us warm at night, and feed us.

After having read about those who force their children to beg for a living, sale them to human traffickers, rape them, leave them in garbage dumpsters, and literally drive them into rivers, I know my mother and father are GREAT PARENTS!