Poor in living, rich in heart

"Qiang" Chinese for "strength"

Pong loves to share her stories to provide me with a deeper understanding of the amazing woman she is and the difficulties she's experienced in the past.

When she was recovering in the hospital due to an infection, her husband did not come to visit. I ask myself, why is their relationship is so fragile? How can her husband leave Pong along during such difficult times?  But Pong does not think like I do.  She accepts her situation as it is and focuses her attention on the future and a rapid recovery.

Later on, something more horrible happened. Her father-in-law came to see her. He arrived to share news with Pong and her mother that a coffin was arranged.  Her father was quickly preparing for her death. 

Despite the challenges Pong faces everyday that are unfathomable to most, she is resilient and maintains her positive attitude and hopeful outlook on the future. 

One of the dishes we
ate in the restaurant
in Ipoh

Recently, I was fortunate enough to visit her home and meet her family! I did not know what to expect at first because I had never been to Ipoh.  It was a great feeling to be welcomed into her home by the family and treated with kindness and love. 

The family was overwhelmingly generous and served me dinner not once but three times!  That night, I ate dinner three times. We enjoyed chicken and noodles cooked by Pong first. Her brother Danny soon returned with three tremendous durians and divided them among us to share. Finally, Pong's niece returned from work and took me to one of the community's most famous restaurants. I was taken back by their generosity and was so grateful for their kindness.  I hope to thank her family in the future to show my appreciation!