Grandfather, Colonel Y Say

Today marks the anniversary when my grandfather had his life taken away 37 years ago during the Khmer Rouge. Colonel Y Say. The Y is suppose to be pronounce like the letter "E" in which I inherited for my middle name. The more I look at his picture, the more my father looks exactly like him. Almost like twins. Although their personalities are COMPLETELY different. I've been told my grandfather was a kind, humble person. As for my father, is very grumpy most of the time, he obviously received that trait from my loving yet strict Grandmother. But I've also been told, my father wasn't always this grumpy back then, he was very playful and kind too. What happened...? May you continue to be at peace and continue to watch over our family Grandpa. Though it pains me to know that I haven't met you, we thank you for what you have done.

Mother's side of the family tree

I interviewed my mother about her side of the gigantic family tree. My grandfathers name was Plong Prom. His parents name was Great grandpa Plog Lim and Great grandma Bua Preang. Grandfather Prom was a farmer on the country side. He had two wives named Kim and Pat. He had 8 siblings, he was the oldest then came, Grandma Lom, Grandpa Lout, Grandma Leoup, Grandpa Lea, Grandpa Keur, Grandma Nep, Grandma Leik, Grandma Vieng. All of his siblings contributed to the huge family tree to make it even bigger. Giving me a lot of uncles and aunts. He had a kind soul and loved to help others. He was known never to have gotten angry. A true gentleman. He loved having his pets around the farm from chickens, cattle, pigs, etc.
Grandmother Kim, with my grandfathers help, had 8 children, Chaht Lim having 6 children, Chouer Lim having 8 children, Chouerp Lim 6 children, my mother Sally Lim 2 children, Salonng Lim deceased, Salonn Lim having 1 child, Salang Lim 0 and Sokhom Lim having 3 children. And most of my cousins having children themselves adding even more to the family tree.

Father's side of the Family

I asked my parents about my Grandfather Y Say and he was ranked a Commander in the military. He had 7 siblings, Grandpa Eim having 7 children, Grandma Yahn 8 children, Grandpa Ourn 3 children, Grandma Pech 7 children, Grandma Sauw 7 children, Grandpa Saivoeun 1 child & including himself. He was born in the year 1925, and passed away in the year April 23rd 1975 in the tragedy of the communists. Y Say, pronounced like the letter E lived in Ta Keo Cambodia where he wed his wonderful wife Sieng Kam. Later in the years they moved to many cities but mostly resided in Battambong & 3 children. From Oldest to youngest, my father SamAth Say, my aunt Sathavary Say and my uncle Sivanna Say. He loved having pets and had a green thumb. He was known as a kind person throughout the neighborhood & was always there to help. Grandma Sieng Kam was the house wife and always kept the house up to date. Her parents names are Greatgrandma Mawm and Greatgrandpa Kam She was known as a strict person with her family but was also known kind with the neighborhood. She has 6 siblings, Grandma Mom, Grandma Suoen, Grandpa Neang, Grandma Rrie, Grandma Roeun and including herself. Our family branched out and made an even larger family tree and I'm sure there are more before all of this.

An example of a Stone Pestle & Mortar

First get the Pestle & the Mortar

Anything that can be crushed

Add caption

Crush until the feel is to your needs

The old school way

Pour water into the empty bucket

Fill up till your desire to stop

Add bar soap like the old way

Lather till foamy

Add the clothes

Damp, soak and scrub the clothes

Twist the article until a majority

Hand to dry

The fashion back then was was very conservative. For women it consists of lace shirts accompanied with a scarf wrap around. They can wear a silk skirt or fashion a "kben" which is a Khmer-style pant. Pendents and jewelery were passed down to the next generations.
For the men, the normal dress appeal was silk pants and either a button down shirt or a silk shirt. They can also fashion a "kben" as well.

Lost but in Memories

Our family hasn't been able to receive any hand downs or any antiques due to the Genocide. Other than this copper gourde that my father had found when he was a child, Almost everything was left behind. My family started out with nothing and with hard work, and stacks of documents to become US citizens, they were able to support their family till this very day. My parents said before all of the tragic events, Cambodia was a growing, vibrant country almost just like Hollywood! The family was pulling off so many different styles and were all stlyish!