My Dear Sister...La Vang On Dec 8, 2010 I lost my dearest sister (Lab Vaj) at Ban Lao Ou, Theung Chiengrai, Thailand. She was my best friend, dearest sister and she has put up with me so much during my childhood. She fed me, took the pain and suffering for me throughout her life and I am so very sorry for not being able to do much for her while she was living. Everytime I think of her, I just feel so sad and wished that I could turn back time. I hope she is watching over me. I just miss her a lot. The amazing thing I want to share with you tonight is this - she was sick for many years and spent countless nights, daysmonths and years at the local and regional hospitals. On that particular month of Dec 2010, I visited her at the Theung Hospital, Chiengrai. When I got to the hospital, she was very sick, but suddenly opened her eyes and talked to me like nothing going on. I spent about 2 hours there. during my visit, I asked if there's anything I can do to help her out. She told me..."brother, nothing is more valuable or important as much as you are here visiting me. I have been waiting for you for a long time and thank you for the offering". She then said, "well, since you are here and came all the way from America, I think I can use a new refrigerator, a new electric rice cooker, a TV, a hot water boiler, a few bag of rices, clothes for my son and my poor husband". I told her that I'd purchase those and transport in my rental car to her house, which located nearby and would return next day to visit her early in the moring, and I did just that and a little more. I put all the staff in her house and spent a night there in Ban Lao Ou. Next day, I returned to visit her again and spent about half a day with her. It was a filthy hospital, but the nurse treated her well she said. She is a well known patient there. I then left to Phu Chifa, then back to Chiangmai, then to Bangkok ready to return home to USA. For some reason, I had 12 days left on my trip and I just wanted to return home and felt like I couldn't do anything right. I tried to check with the airlines for a return flight home twice in two days...and no return flight for me. On my 3rd day in Bangkok waiting for a flight to return home, I received a phone call from my relative and it was a difficult one. He told me my sister La Vang just passed away and my return to prepare for her funeral was requested. I asked him what happened --- why she suddenly passed away? He told me that after I left, she spent another two nights at the hospital and suddently felt well and she amazed the doctors and nurses there; and they released her from the hospital. She got home and found the stuff that I bought her and was very happy. However, that very night, she suddently became ill and very ill and didn't make back to the hospital and passed away in her own home. I returned to Chiengrai airport next day, and prepared her funeral (a Christian funeral) because she had joined a church there and accepted God as her savior. I honored her choice of religion and the funeral was done cooperatively with her Pastor and the church as well as my relatives there. I helped dig her grave and positioned her body according to our belief. This picture was taken right after she was burried. Please ...don't wait to show your love ones...every second, minute is counted. I miss her. The amazing thing I wasn to share with you tonight is this - she was sick for many years and spent countless nights, daysmonths and years at the local and regional hospitals. On that particular month of Dec 2010, I visited her at the Theung Hospital, Chiengrai. When I got to the hospital, she was very sick, but suddenly opened her eyes and talked to me like nothing going on. I spent about 2 hours there. during my visit, I asked if there's anything I can do to help her out. She told me..."brother, nothing is more valuable or important as much as you are here visiting me. I have been waiting for you for a long time and thank you for the offering". She then said, "well, since you are here and came all the way from America, I think I can use a new refrigerator, a new electric rice cooker, a TV, a hot water boiler, a few bag of rices, clothes for my son and my poor husband". I told her that I'd purchase those and transport in my rental car to her house, which located nearby and would return next day to visit her early in the moring, and I did just that and a little more. I put all the staff in her house and spent a night there in Ban Lao Ou. Next day, I returned to visit her again and spent about half a day with her. It was a filthy hospital, but the nurse treated her well she said. She is a well known patient there. I then left to Phu Chifa, then back to Chiangmai, then to Bangkok ready to return home to USA. For some reason, I had 12 days left on my trip and I just wanted to return home and felt like I couldn't do anything right. I tried to check with the airlines for a return flight home twice in two days...and no return flight for me. On my 3rd day in Bangkok waiting for a flight to return home, I received a phone call from my relative and it was a difficult one. He told me my sister La Vang just passed away and my return to prepare for her funeral was requested. I asked him what happened --- why she suddenly passed away? He told me that after I left, she spent another two nights at the hospital and suddently felt well and she amazed the doctors and nurses there; and they released her from the hospital. She got home and found the stuff that I bought her and was very happy. However, that very night, she suddently became ill and very ill and didn't make back to the hospital and passed away in her own home. I returned to Chiengrai airport next day, and prepared her funeral (a Christian funeral) because she had joined a church there and accepted God as her savior. I honored her choice of religion and the funeral was done cooperatively with her Pastor and the church as well as my relatives there. I helped dig her grave and positioned her body according to our belief. This picture was taken right after she was burried. Please ...don't wait to show your love ones...every second, minute is counted. I miss her.