In Loving Memory of Tran Ai Binh

This is a slide show I made for my Grandmother who passed away on August 25, 2008. She lived 92 amazing years, with everything from poverty and war to prosperity and genuine happiness to her final years which she spent ill with kidney failure, but her optimism and determination to live were admirable will never be forgotten.

This is the speech I gave with the video:
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Family and Friends,
Thank you for coming today to celebrate with me the life of my grandmother, Ai Binh Tran.
My name is Virginia Lew. I am the youngest child of the youngest daughter of Grandma. Today, I would like to share with you some of my fondest memories of Grandma and the many things that I admire about her.
On my last day with Grandma, I remember sitting with her, holding her hand and talking to her about how I was to return to school in the east the following day. What I remember most from that day was not our conversation, not the way she looked, but the feeling of holding her hand.
Just in holding her hand I could feel that although she was physically weak, her hands still conveyed a message of strength, courage, and confidence. As Grandma held my hands, I could feel the pride she felt in me, and in all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. I could feel that even though she, herself was tired and drained; she wanted us, her children and grandchildren to carry on with the same conviction and certainty with which she had led her own life. As the strong and brave woman that I had always known her to be in such a simple gesture, this is the last memory I have of Grandma.
While I am so upset that I had already left for Ontario at the time of Grandma's passing, I am also relieved that Grandma had waited until all of us had returned to our regular lives before she let go of her life in this world. Grandma had always been one to think of others before herself, even in death. Her selflessness and inner strength is an inspiration to all who have had the pleasure of meeting my grandmother.
It is because I was unable to share Grandma's last moments with her that I would like to share with the rest of the world all the wonderful moments Grandma has given to my family and I.
I have put together a short video of our family's fondest memories of Grandma. For those of you who are in mourning, I pray that you will find comfort in knowing that Grandma has left this world fulfilled and proud. Her worries and grief have been lifted away because she has watched every one of her children and grandchildren grow into mature, successful adults who love their family and follow in her footsteps.
And to my family, I hope that even though Grandma is no longer with here with us, we will still be the strong bonded and supporting family we have always been. I hope that by Grandma's example, family will forever be high on our list of priorities, and that we will cherish all the relationships in our lives.
Today, let us not grieve over the passing of a great woman, but celebrate the life lessons and encouraging stories of a hero.

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