|
Writing has been my first love since I selected a fountain pen from a trove of presents that my parents placed in
front of me on my first birthday. I spent my early years with ink-stained fingers, practicing my letters and
compositions. My interest in personal stories and mementos harks back to third grade, when my friends and I were
introduced to a year-end tradition from older classmates: the creation of personalized yearbooks and collection
of photos, poems and tributes. I treasured my first luu-bút—literally, to leave behind one's pen marks in
Vietnamese—because it contained heartfelt passages from my first best friend Tuong-Vi, who was moving to
another all-girl French Catholic school. Thus began a lifetime of writing and collecting personal histories,
essays, letters, and tributes.
When my family and I rushed out of Viet-Nam at the end of the civil war in 1975, we left behind our most cherished
treasures: our photo albums. Since our arrival in America, my family has been documenting our life with photographs
and films. At 14, I assumed the role of family historian and recreated my family tree from conversations with my
parents, siblings and aunt. Over the years, I have been writing essays and culling stories from family members to
provide a legacy for my nieces and nephews. I convinced Mom to write her memoir. As Dad's Alzheimer's set in, I
culled whatever stories he could share and was able to capture a biographical sketch before losing the finer details
to the disease.
My parents' story is a remarkable one. They lost their home twice and survived two wars. Many times, they were
saved by strangers whose names they did not know. They in turn have saved and helped countless individuals. Dad,
always averse to seeking the spotlight, never minded if someone else took credit for his actions. Mom, his
cheerleader, always assumed the role of storyteller. Through all their trials and triumphs, my parents have
retained equanimity and an openness towards individuals from all walks of life that continually inspire me.
Since their retirement, I have been spending more time with my parents. From those Sunday walks in the Golden Gate
Park, I have learned to slow down my hectic pace and appreciate my parents' inner peace. Slowly, I have gotten to
know them as an adult and I often reflect upon the lives they have lived. Through their actions, my parents have
shown me that individuals can and do make a difference in their own society, that they deserve to be honored for
their accomplishments and contributions, however unhistoric these acts. At the end of a task, a project or a
career, what can be more gratifying than words of praise and recognition from those we value?
I founded Indelible Marks as a tribute to my parents, family and friends who have changed my life. Indelible
Marks enable me to help clients create unique and meaningful legacies while tapping into my love of writing,
storytelling, editing, and bookbinding. I created Indelible Marks because I also want to change how individuals
are honored—not with an impersonal plaque or a silver bowl—but with an elegant, handbound book filled with
entertaining anecdotes and moving tributes that will be a source of joy for the honorees for years to come.
A book of tributes or a biography serves as a treasured legacy for their descendants as well.
Most important, my mission is to inspire my audience to take the time to thank those you love and respect,
to share your stories in a meaningful manner, and to celebrate your honoree's life here and now, at its peak
and not at its decline. This is a challenge because we all tend to take for granted that there will always be
time to capture, archive and acknowledge. We live so much in the future, but the present is all we have.
Honor those who have left their indelible marks on you!
My-Tien Vo
San Francisco
|
