niam tais = grandma

had a breakfast/coffee conversation with tais tais this morning.
found out she likes waffles. with lots of syrup.

listened to her - as she remembered her life back in laos
as a girl,
as a girl without her mom -
as a young woman,
as a young wife, mother..
and the past few decades in the US..
as a single mom -
as an aged woman..
as a grandmother and great-grandmother.

tais always seemed to carry a hard shell on her -
not quite as much these days..
she was much softer today than i remember.
her voice lower and slower.
reflective. thoughtful.

with spots of humor.

her messages still roared.. with persistence and power.
her fierce woman warrior spirit still much alive and present.
as ever.