Lucky Child (23 page)

My little angels, Maria and Tori (1990).

Hong and Chou remain great friends (2000).

Kim and me in Cannes, France, in 1991. It was the first time we’d seen each other since I left Cambodia in 1980.

Kim and Huy Eng were married in Cambodia and France in 1994.

That little backpack was all I packed for my six-week solo trip to China, Thailand, and Cambodia in 1995!
(Heidi Randall)

Meng, in the center, with friends and family during his 1995 trip to Cambodia.

In my twenty-plus trips back to Cambodia since 1995, I never cease to get excited when I see these sights:

Wat Byron is my favorite because it reminds me of Pa.
(Heidi Randall)

A cyclo ride around the city still makes me smile with memories of Ma.
(Heidi Randall)

Phnom Penh is now a busy, vibrant city.
(Heidi Randall)

I love Cambodia’s country landscapes.

Khouy’s house in the village (1995).

The red dirt road to Chou’s village. This is what I see every time I return.
(Heidi Randall)

At ninety-four, Amah is the matriarch V of four generations of Ungs (1999).

Meng, Khouy, Kim, Chou, and me. This was the first time in nineteen years we were all together (1999).