“Living with Foreign Parents” by William L

    We all know our parents went through hell just to get us where we are today. They took
care of us, payed for us, fed us, etc. There are just too many to list here. Coming from parents
who are originally from Vietnam, I can see their struggles. Fitting into a new society and trying to
learn a new language you never heard of can be quite strenuous. If I remember properly, my
parents and I had a discussion about this several months ago. They told me that they came
here around September 1995, with little to no knowledge of their surroundings. The reason why
they came here was to give us a better life, so we don't have to go through the same
experience.
    Till this very day, they are still trying their best to fit in and speak the English language. I
try to fit in some time to teach them the basics and ways once in awhile, and in return, they
teach me their native language, Vietnamese. It’s quite an experience and they also share their
stories about their past. Hearing their stories gave me a different perspective of them. They did
not start off easy. They were considered one of the lower class. Started off in farm lands in the
grassy areas of Hue, Vietnam. They grew up with little to no money and had strict rules set.
    This summer I had the chance to visit Vietnam once again with my Mom and 2 of my
siblings. By the time we reach Phu Bai International Airport, I took a peek outside the airplane
window and all I saw was greens and faded colors. Houses weren’t top of the line and air quality
wasn’t the best. This is what you would expect out of a thirdworld
country. The ride to see my mom’s parents was quite a long one and that gave me time to roam around and check out what Vietnam was all about. By the time we reached their house, it was bigger than I thought. Bigger than anyone else’s in the village. Mainly, because of the donations my mom and dad has been giving them to over the past several years.
     Everyone there was excited to see us, even though we haven’t seen them in like a
decade. They welcomed us with a family reunion and loads of food. We introduced ourselves
and talked about our countries to each other. The exotic flavors of the food was something I
never experience. While I was trying out the food, one of our family members even gave me a
beer to try out.. He said to me that there isn’t a age restriction here and Vietnam is a place to
get wasted. To be honest, I accepted it and finished it, but I didn't get seconds. Everyone was
impressed and some even laughed that I accepted it, but I didn't like malty flavor it has. I
remember that day.
    After that day, it was just like any other day. Everyone went to work and it was just my
family members and my mom’s parents. They went out to the grassy farm lands to farm out rice
and fish to cook for us for lunch. I had the chance to go see their ways and to be honest, I kinda
feel bad for them. They are in their midlate 80’s and they had to go through this. I had the urge
to go and help, but I couldn’t do it. I didn’t know what to do. I did get to have a good
conversation with them with my broken Vietnamese. They had a couple giggles here and there.
I got embarrassed, but I felt better on the inside knowing what they had to go through.
In the end, it all goes to the parents who work and took care of us till their very end. They
take all their free time away, just to hang out with us. They show affection, we show them hate.
They still love us. It’s the stage they all have to go through. What I learn from having foreign
parents is that “Nothing will come easily, but if you work hard enough and put all your effort
towards it, it will sure to come and you will gain more from it than it being given at the first
place.” Knowing what they have been through and all they have done, I appreciate them.