============================================================== To reach ALL SJD members, please send to sjd@satjadham.net ... Do NOT include any other addresses when sending to the list... Include as LITTLE of the original messages as possible........ Message sent by: "Kongkeo Saycocie" ============================================================== Sabaydii, "Along the shores of the Mekong River..." is back after one week of absence. The reason is because I had to attend my brother's funeral in Milwaukee, Wisconsin this past weekend. Tragic as any passing away is, I do find some encouraging signs. Lao people are a tight group of people in times of hardship. It seems that one can find a comforting hand everywhere. Here, I would like to cite the examplar behavior of one of our members. Her name is Phonethip, a very quiet woman but a very, very considerate one. Though not quite related to my brother and his family, she did help out with the cooking, washing the dishes and almost everything the night leading to the funeral and the funeral day. With my head bowed, I salute you _ the shining star of Satjadham! Below is an excerpt of my speech delivered at the funeral: ***** The passing away of Mr Kongdeuane Saycocie recently has brought forth an immense sadness to the family, relatives and friends. From now on, there won't be any more vibrant laughter From now on, there won't be any more a smile that brings warmth to our heart and from now on, there won't be the image of the unforgettable embrace with his beloved wife and cute little daughter. It will be long before those images evaporate from our heart. will be long... will be long... On the last occasion, with the indescriable sadness, may Mr Kongdeuane Saycocie's soul go to the happy place... happy place... ***** (continued from the last installment) Now, let's talk about my dad who was kind of an interesting person. He talked very little very much like me. The only difference between the two of us was he wasn't interested in the opposite sex at all except my mom. Me? I even loved my Catholic female teacher who always wore a funny clothes. Still, with her hair covered, it still didn't deter me from having a crush on her. Getting to my dad again, I remembered only one occasion that my mom had a quarrel with him, presumably about the opposite sex. To say the least, he was kind of husband that was too good to be true. He neither smoked nor drank; plus he would spend all of his time for the family except that once in a while, he would go out and hunt with his close friends. Also, while studying in France, he hardly ate out or even went to a dance once, he saved all of his allowance to buy us great toys and nice clothes. What impressed me and people who knew him the most was his unassuming manner. He acted as if he were not different from others though he could boast of studying in France and holding a high government job. With that in mind, I guess that was one of the reasons that his employees loved him so much. This showed in that the employees would volunteer to help our family out with any errands. Besides, he was very honest, sincere, and dutiful. I guess that is the trademark of the Saycocie clan. Adding those qualities together, he was like a being from another planet. For any reasons that I happen to have some of those desirable traits, it was mainly due to his gene and influence. Let me add a little bit about the Saycocie. They were kind of the king in Mahaxay, even in Thakek; they were 2nd only to the Chounlamany. My grandfather who was the head of the clan was a Chao Meuang in Mahaxay. Maybe, because we were originated from Mahaxay; our last name started with Say (pronounced like "Xay"). As you might know, before we didn't have any last name; only when the French dictated that we had one, Lao people started to have a last name then. Now, let's talk about my mom, she was a beauty of Xiengkhouang. Though finishing only the 3rd grade, she was so smart that I wonder whether my dad's degree could rival her in the dealing of every day life. It was her who handled all of the family affairs. As she held all of the money matters, she was kind of an absolute queen reigning in our domain. I guess my dad had to beg for his own money when he wanted to buy something, the way I do with my wife now. what a circle of life! According to my grandmother's sister, our clan "Thongkham" used to hold the title of a vice king of Xiengkhouang. Whatever the truth may be, my mom was proud of her Phuan heritage. And so do I! (to be continued) _ ***************************************************************** Visit SatJaDham Homepage at: http://www.satjadham.org (or .net) *****************************************************************