During my mother’s childhood, when she used to live in Cambodia, her parents would always take her to see her grandparents. My mother was the youngest and weakest during this time in her family. No one was willing to take care of my mother because her parents were busy with work and had other issues to deal with. But her parents could never leave her by herself. So they decided to leave her to her grandparents' care.  My mother never liked her father’s side mother so my mother chose to stick with her mother’s side mother. My mother visited her grandmother a lot considering that there was no one else that would look after her. It was only her grandmother then who decided to look after her in those times where her parents couldn’t. 

​

With each visit of my mother’s arrival, my great grandmother would make sour village soup. My mother was a helper in the kitchen and would watch her grandmother on how to make the dish. My mother would examine each ingredient as she handed them to her grandmother. This way, my mother came to memorize how to make the soup and the ingredients involved. Her grandmother noticed how much my mother enjoyed the dish and she became excited to make the dish. They would happily eat the dish together in the comfort of each other's presents. My mother deeply felt grateful towards her grandmother for helping her during these times where she felt alone, sad, and hungry.

​

This dish is a memory of my mother’s childhood where she was facing serious health issues which lead to her being extremely weak as a child. My great grandmother passed this recipe down to my mother in times where she refused to eat and to warm her heart. Those times where my mother felt alone, upset, and hungry, this dish was offered to fill that gap of emptiness in her heart. My mother is extremely grateful to her grandmother who has shown her great hospitality.  My great grandmother took in my mother who was practically a stranger, and showed her the love that her parents couldn’t. Today my mother brings this dish to her current family generation to also fill their hearts and stomach as well! 

My mother would reflect on those who helped her, she would always  say “My god brother lived in Philly, he helped me throughout my time in Philly.” She’ll always tell me stories of how certain people helped her so that she can do the same. She recognized that the process of where people would voluntarily help others without the expectation of payment,  motivated her to also do the same. Similar to how my great grandmother barely knew my mother but still cared for her.

​

Personally reflecting on this,  I'm very grateful for the care my great grandmother showed to my mother. It goes to show that even though my great grandmother didn't really know my mother, she still took her in with no hesitation. To me personally, I took this as a lesson to really help out others when they need it. Those who are weak will slowly but surely, build their strength with the help of those who can push them to start.