October 27, 2024

Dear friends and school mates,

I was asked by Dr. Vinh Chanh to say something about my relationship with Dr. Chau and Dr. Trai during my recent visit in Dr. Chau memorial mass, but that never materialized. I would then speak out of my heart as I was not really preparing for it; but now I would write this from my soul.

I have known both of them since 1972 through very unusual introductions, and really, I don’t have frequent contacts with them over the years but the relationship is mutually significant. I took them seriously and they took me seriously. I would say without any doubt that they are my life mentor and my friends. I never took any didactic work from them although I was listening to them few lectures on various topics as I came to see how good they are before I took them to my soul. They were definitely outstanding lecturers.

They are certainly my life mentors as I always look up to them for a lot of things that I do in life although I am very different from them in terms of personal builds. Many things they did are largely very difficult or even impossible for many of us. Nevertheless, Dr. Trai many times told me those were possible things you could do if you get your mind and energy into the journeys, she told me then “if I can do it then you can do it”.  I am so much different from them academically and personally but we could always converse and relate as we always took each other seriously and we took others’ views seriously.

I never could do as many things as they did in life, but they gave me hope. Hope that I didn’t have growing from poor place in Quang-Tri.  Knowing them opened up a new whole world of paths and dreams in my life. Paths and dreams that I seriously took with all I can do attitudes and I thought I can do it. They were truly my life mentor, and they were the guiding lights.

They were my friends. I say this with utmost seriousness. Many times, in Hue, I thought that I was more than 20 years younger than they were, and I were may be 5-10 years older than their children. I didn’t fit into any categories of relationship. And I still think that today, I don’t fit to any category. But that is OK, I never want to fit in any categories perfectly, I never seriously conform. Nevertheless, we have been truly good friends.

I miss them and frequently think of them with fond memories that we have shared. Their mentorship will never be forgotten and their legacy and their friendship will be with my heart and my soul forever.

Dr. Chau, may you rest in peace in your ever lasting place and may God be with you.

Dr. Trai, my heart will always be with you.

Minh Bui, MD

10-2024