Small Bamboo (35 page)
Authors: Tracy Vo
Tags: #Biography & Autobiography, #Personal Memoirs, #BIO026000, #book
Bac Tien (Uncle Eleven) and Bac Tan (Uncle Thirteen), we always had to double-check the time when we phoned both of you in California. But it didn’t matter how late it was, you always answered.
Bac Tu (Uncle Four), you have been most affected by all this. After all these years you still can’t bring yourself to speak about the atrocities you endured during those ten years in the labour camps. The pain in your voice brought tears to my eyes, and you could only come up with three words—
Nhuc
.
Han
.
Dau Koh
. Disgrace. Hatred. Suffering. I hope our brief chats brought you some peace. I know you’re living a much more peaceful life in California.
My friends in the Channel Nine newsroom in Sydney, thank you all for your continuing support, despite the fact I live on the other side of the country. It was a pleasure to write about you all, and I feel honoured to still call you my colleagues and friends.
Peter Overton, you have been a huge influence in my career and life, always steering me in the right direction. You’re always there if I need advice or just a chat. I’m grateful to have someone like you in my life. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
Amelia Adams, my best friend and biggest supporter of all, you’re an incredible woman who always has a positive spin on life. You were my shining light through all those years in Sydney. Just a phone call or email from you still gives me a burst of positive energy. Love you, Moo.
Wes Hardman, you prompted me with words when I was stuck and you’re always there for all the young journos. Thank you, my honorary Uncle Wessy.
And Mark Burrows, I believe you’re the most beautiful broadcast writer in the country, and every time I start writing, either for the book or for a news story, you’re always in the back of my mind. I’m honoured I can call you a mentor, MB.
My wonderful friends in Perth, you were right by my side while I was living in Sydney and are still there for me now I am home. Pia Donaldson and Nichola Ferguson, our friendships are as strong as ever, and your support while I was writing this book was tremendous. Thank god your memories of high school are better than mine. Thanks for all the text messages.
Finally, my family.
My wonderful brother Trevor, your pride in me makes my heart smile. Thank you. But of course no one is prouder of me than my parents. Mum and Dad, you cooked, cleaned and cooked some more while I locked myself away for months, emerging for a breather for only half an hour a day. I tested your memories for this book, and what a trip it was for our family as you shared your stories of Vietnam and Cambodia. Your lives have been fascinating to say the least; I never realised just how fascinating until I started writing this book. Documenting my family’s story has been an intense experience, but what a sense of relief and achievement upon finishing it! Mum and Dad, you say you’re proud of my achievements—well, I say I’ve had a much easier life, and I am much prouder of
you
.
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