My father turned 90 this week. He has spent half of his life in America, so he’s enjoyed many unusual experiences. Born in Thanh Hoa province in 1930 (you are officially a 1-year-old on your birth date, according to Viet traditions), my dad saw Vietnam through its many difficulties. He has stories about being buffeted by political upheaval. His early years were devoid of electricity — he knows how to MacGyver an oil lamp and can fix many things with a toothpick. A gifted scholar and natural teacher, he was also a lieutenant colonel and provincial governor of three provinces before he quit the South Vietnamese military in 1963.
Bố Già (say “Boe Zah”, old daddy in Vietnamese) is a polyglot who learned Chinese, Japanese, French and English — the languages of people who occupied Vietnam at one time or another, especially during the 20th century. After he came to America, he picked up Spanglish from teaching English as a Second Language and owning a landscaping business. When we were growing up, he told all of us kids that we needed to pick up another language. Vietnamese and English were not enough to get by. I studied Spanish and Mandarin Chinese in high school and college, respectively.
He’s a nimble survivor, a hustler of the best kind. He’s Viet.
An Arty Viet Spirit
There’s an innate artistry in many Vietnamese people, something I observed in my dad when he built a manger for our Christmas nativity scene in the late 1970s. He knew how to make things look ‘instant old’ by hammering with just the right touch on the pieces of wood that he assembled to house baby Jesus and his entourage. He got some bunting from my mom’s sewing business to fake snow. As his helper, I learned a lot.
My father also loves to set up whimsical scenes with plants, wall hangings, ceramic figurines and other quirky things sourced from yard sales, thrift shops, or just found somewhere.
They’re assembled to express something, to spark joy and inject bursts of beauty into daily life, which can be mundane. Turn your head in my parents’ home and you’ll see two or three things grouped together, like the buddha above against a floral teapot.
Gardening as Cure and Therapy
Over Thanksgiving, my dad surprised us with his recent plant sculpture projects. He has prostate cancer and is taking lots of medication, which slows him down and makes him feel weak.
“I’m like an old car. The parts get worn down over time,” he said a while back.
This November, Bố Già’s message and mantra was this: “I may be on the way out but I will stay active. I’m a fighter.”
So he’s taken to spending more time doing something he enjoys — growing things. Nurturing life is an act of living.
Bố Già’s garden is lush, but this year, he created a bunch of sculptures from things gathered and collected since my family arrived here in America. Pieces of driftwood. Tiki-ish masks. Ceramic bowls. Lava Rocks. Ceramic frogs.
When he sent me a photo of “Lazy Frog”, I immediately remembered it from when I was a kid.
"Would you like to have this?" he emailed. Of course! It's now in my home (below).
1970s Good Times
A talented Vietnamese man painted, glazed and fired the ceramic pieces. My dad sold them for him. “I was teaching at the local junior high,” Bố Già said. “During my lunch break, I would take his items to shops in places like Laguna Beach. I sold a bunch to the famous Pottery Shack!”
Those were the initial days of Vietnamese refugees being in America. They helped one another and hustled hard. It was a fun adventure.
My dad found a bunch of the leftover figurines from those days, and composed succulent plant sculptures for each of us five kids. I got the Lazy Frogs, plus a castle with an air plant. The succulents are old with roots that he embedded among rocks. “Just pour a little water on the lava rock and the succulent will be okay,” he said.
My oldest sister Yenchi got ones with instruments because she and her family are into music. Bố Già titled this one "The Troubadour" and the following one is "The Pianist."
My sisters Tasha and Linh got ones made with driftwood. “After a big storm in Santa Cruz, go to the beach and maybe there is driftwood I can use,” Bo said to me and my husband. "I need more material."
Keep Active and Keep Fighting
He also composed two awesome hanging sculptures from wood pieces lingering around the house. I told him people pay big money for air plant sculptures. “I’m slower nowadays so it took three days to nail and screw this one together,” he said of a large project. “I’m still working on it.”
He’s typically low key about his creations, but this time around, Bố Già used his iPad to snap photos of his work and then made a portfolio of sorts. “I’m giving these to all you guys so I want to remember what they look like,” he said. "Send me pictures of what they look like in your home."
"The Happy Man" below gives my dad extra joy. The flowering succulent is particularly poignant.
Yes, my father is 90 years old. In a time of life when many people find it easier shed their possessions, Bố Già is creating family heirlooms from simple, everyday items that span the decades.
Elizabeth Andoh says
What a MARVELOUS piece; thank you for sharing!
And best birthday wishes to your Father!!!
Angela says
Hi, Andrea. You have to be proud of your father, it is an awesome life history. My mom turned 97 years old in October, right now has some health issues, but she is strong and a warrior. I think they are our really masters on our life. Don’t cry look at them and be strong!
I wish you the best for him, it is a beautiful job. And an awesomeness history. Thank you for sharing, and have a happy holidays. Sincerely Angela
Andrea Nguyen says
Thank you, Angela. I wish your mom and your family the best of the Holiday Season. Wow. 97!
Andrea Nguyen says
Thank you, Elizabeth! Happy Holidays.
Ginny says
What a beautiful tribute to a very special man. Thank you.
Andrea Nguyen says
Thanks so much for reading and commenting, Ginny!
Ron Sizemore says
I grew up in Laguna and would spend time at the Pottery Shack..small world
They even let me help with the kiln
Andrea Nguyen says
Wow! You then remember the Greeter! That's so neat.
Isabel Cutler says
You are so blessed. Thank you for sharing your father's uplifting and creative life with us.
Andrea Nguyen says
You're so very welcome, Isabel!
Jack Ebel says
I loved your post about about your father.
Andrea Nguyen says
Thank you, Jack. I appreciate your comment lots!
Katharine Andrews says
What a lovely consciousness he is and has: it shines outward through his face and his art, like his daughter's does through the nourishing beauty of her food. Wonderful!
Dave DeRoche says
You are a good writer, subtle and straightforward and personable and compelling, and your father is a good man. Dave DeRoche, delighted reader
Andrea Nguyen says
That's very generous and kind of you to say, Dave. Thank you.
Kamala says
Beautiful tribute to your father. The love and administration can be felt in your words. Reading your article made me think of own father who was an amazing creative soul. Thank you for sharing. Happy holidays,
Andrea Nguyen says
You're welcome and Happy Holidays to you and your family!
Sandria Wong says
Such a lovely tribute to your dad--wishing him a Happy Birthday!
Andrea Nguyen says
I'll pass it on to him, Sandria!
Jacqueline DeWolf says
Great article. Your dad is amazing and so creative
Andrea Nguyen says
Thanks, Jacqueline!
Linda Parrent says
I'm a big admirer of yours. And your families journey and accomplishments. Happy Holidays and all best wishes for 2020.
Andrea Nguyen says
Linda, thank you for taking time to write such a generous note. Happy Holidays to you and yours!
Toni N says
Thank you for sharing these wonderful stories of your father. I am always so happy to read about a life so well lived, and continues to live. And his laughing Buddha with flowering cactus is especially joyful and poignant. Happiest of birthdays to your father! chúc mừng sinh nhật!
Andrea Nguyen says
Cam on Toni for the kind words and wishes. I hope you and your family enjoy a wonderful holiday season!
Sue R says
I totally love "The happy Man with the plant" I'd love something like that in my home. Your father is very gifted and I'm so happy he has an art he enjoys. Mine is cooking. We all need something I think.
Laura McC says
This is a beautiful tribute to your amazing and creative father. Thank you for sharing him and your family with us. Wishing you and your family a healthy, happy, and prosperous 2020 full of fun and good food!
Andrea Nguyen says
Thanks so much, Laura! I hope you and your family had a fantastic holiday season!
Thao says
This story was beautiful! Made me think of my grandparents and I had a good cry. It reminded me of how strong and wise our older generations are despite all the trauma they have gone through. Thank you for sharing xx
Andrea Nguyen says
Thank you Thao. Our elders are full of wisdom and rich in experiences that we need to contemplate more often. Best wishes to you!