“My son left for Vietnam!”  I find it surreal that I have been saying that sentence.  I am old enough to remember exactly how devastating that phrase would be coming from a mom in the early 1970’s.  When I say it now, it is with joy and pride that my son, AJ, is experiencing a summer externship at a law firm in Hanoi, sponsored by Indiana University Law School.

Yet, traveling across the world into a new country, new culture, new language, I had my worries.  My heart felt concerned dropping AJ off.  Would my son fit in?  Would he be lonely and feel isolated?  Would he be homesick and starving?  Would he ask to come home?

Ah, quite the contrary.

First of all, the trip there went smooth as French silk pie. (If you know me, there was bound to be a food reference sometime!)  No problems at the airports or getting to his hotel.  AJ slept well in a nice bed in an air conditioned room.  The free breakfast was an impressive dish of eggs and ham.  The walk to work is a short one block.

The first day went well and AJ was invited to dinner out with his new Vietnamese mentors.  AJ’s first impression was the deep comradery his colleagues had for each other, and how friendly and generous they were to him.  “We drank like fish and ate like hogs!”  Beef, pork, chicken, and frog legs!  Beer and vodka!  They laughed and told stories.  But the most interesting of all – they sang karaoke!

I have never seen AJ karaoke!  How fun!  And as you know, karaoke is a rather intimidating activity.  AJ must have been relaxed and enjoying the moment to get up and sing.  Shut up, I know he must have been drunk, too!  And what does an American young man sing to a Vietnamese crowd?  Hotel California, Country Roads, and The Gambler!  What a fine mix of songs!  AJ said they loved it!

Sitting here and writing this, I feel a deep sense of contentment and gratitude.  How wonderful a world we live in!  Strangers from across the globe are welcoming my son in such a generous manner.  It confirms just how much alike people are – no matter where we live or what we look like.  Goodness is in our spirit and souls.

And, yes, it is universal.  Everyone loves AJ!  My precious pearl.

Photo by Ruslan Bardash on Unsplash