last weekend in Cambodia in a small coastal town called Sihanoukeville. We found a homey hostel right on Serendipity
Beach, more commonly known as Backpacker’s Corner. Our two days there were a perfect combination
of fun adventure and refreshing relaxation.
We went island hopping and snorkeling on day #1 and thanks to some rain
clouds we lounged on the beach reading on day #2.
The entire
getaway I couldn’t help but think my Mom would love this!!
While lying
on the beach, I was approached by an adorable woman, named Hung, carrying a small
plastic basket. Little did I know she
was a traveling beauty salon. She was
offering massages, manicures, pedicures, and even threading (a slightly more
gentle hair removal process than waxing).
When I found out a 1 hour full body massage right there on the beach, right in my lounge chair was only $6USD, I was
in.
Upon my yes,
another women immediately walked up, took some Tiger Balm (a popular massage
oil here in Asia) out of her basket and started rubbing my back while Hung
started rubbing my arms. I learned the
other woman working with Hung was her mother, Waay. They had a great, and clearly successful,
system. Hung who spoke better English, was able to “make the initial sale”
while Waay quickly went to work. Hung
would help but focused on convincing me to
get something else
while Waay’s JOYFUL
presence brought much laughter and ease to the whole interaction.
During my
massage I asked Hung and Waay many questions. I learned more about Hung’s life
growing up in Vietnam and how she and her mother moved to this beach in
Cambodia for better job opportunities. Hung
truly enjoys working on the beach, meeting and speaking English with foreigners
and most importantly working with her Mom.
I enjoyed hearing about their lives so much that my massage turned into
the beauty WORKS. In addition to the
massage, I ended up getting a manicure, pedicure AND my eyebrows threaded for a
total of $14USD!!!! While Hung was finishing up my eyebrows, Waay,
who was done helping, styled my hair in a traditional Asian bun and made me a
friendship bracelet for good luck. They
definitely made me feel special.
My encounter
with these women and the fact that Mother’s Day is right around the corner made me think about
mother daughter relationships.
Specifically the transformation and evolution that occurs between women and
our mothers as we get older.
house always brings a whole new perspective to the role of a mother. Not until she was no longer there day in and
day out did I realize and appreciate all the blessings my mother gave me –
time, energy, love, and especially patience.
Growing up I could never imagine working with my mother like Hung and
Waay do, but now that possibility sounds fabulous!
God has gifted us both in unique ways and I think we compliment
each other very well making us a great duo, like Hung and Waay.
grateful for my wonderful relationship with my mother and amazed it continues
to get better and better. Obviously
spending a year apart has been hard, especially when you go from talking daily
during my commute to work, to being able to email and maybe Skype twice a
month. I continue to learn and admire more and more about my mother every
day. I thank God for her unceasing LOVE,
for her strength, for her JOY (she has a killer sense of humor) and for her
friendship. I can’t wait to see how God will continue to grow our relationship
closer when I return home.
Happy
Mother’s Day Mom! This video message is
for you.
