I want to tell you what a great kid Christopher was. A big Spirit and an old Soul, he charmed, inspired and touched people from all over the world. Christopher was a brilliant child. He could read the alphabet by the time he was 26 months old. He developed the ability to speak and comprehend both Vietnamese and English and count to 30.
Christopher could turn on our computers and laptop, enter a password and access his favorite educational websites, pbskids.org and starfall.com. Other times he would load up his own software and play for hours at a time. He would create artwork and print it out for us.
Christopher would do yoga stretches with me in the morning and pray aloud with me. Then he would help me select my clothes for the day. Loving, thoughtful and empathetic he would ask us, Mommy OK? Daddy OK? and he would reassure us, I’m OK, Baby OK.
Christopher’s helpfulness extended to everything that we did. He insisted on opening doors for us, locking and unlocking the car and house and acting as our little office assistant by sending and accepting copies, faxes and scans. He helped Mommy to carry the laundry and water the lemongrass. He pushed the shopping cart and pulled his little red wagon. At 11 months of age, Christopher was the amazing sushi eating baby scarfing down California rolls at our local sushi bar. He also sang with a beautiful voice. His favorites were Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, The ABC Song, The People on the Bus go Up and Down. In Vietnamese he would sing, The Little Cat Washes his Face. Sometimes he would change the lyrics and use different melodies. Often he would raise his zippy cup and exclaim, Cheers!
Christophers mother, Quynh, succeeded in normalizing our numerous hospital visits. Christopher liked his doctors and nurses and was generous with his smiles, hugs and kisses. True to form, he quickly learned to take his own blood pressure and frequently helped to administer his own medicine. Christopher was expert at operating the elevators. He adapted well and knew the way to the hospital playroom.
Christopher frequently visited his Mammo which is what he called my mother. She and Aunt Kathleen had many toys and cool train sets for him to play with. He dearly enjoyed these visits as well as seeing his Godmother, Aunt Nancy. Christopher was more mischievous with my wife’s mother. Teasing her and calling her ta ta ngoai. Christopher is deeply beloved by all of our families and always has been the life of the family gatherings.
A father is supposed to teach his son about bravery and courage. But in this life, it is Christopher who has taught me. He was the most brave and courageous person I have ever met. It has been a real honor to be his father. I am grateful to everyone who has come here today to celebrate and to honor Christophers life and his unity with God.
January 2, 2008
