I was born in the late 1970's in Cambodia. At that time, the country was being ravaged by revolution and genocide. My parents, like others at the time, were sent to a labor camp and endured starvation and malnutrition. When my mother gave birth to me, she speaks of only having a ration of rice porridge to eat daily during designated meal times -- grains of rice cooked in hot water. My father risked his life to poach fish from the nearby river to feed us. The war ended soon after my birth and my parents fled to a refugee camp. However, the people overseeing the camp eventually led truckloads of refugees, including my parents and me, into a desolate mountain where many people died from landmines roaming the mountainside in search of food, water, and help.
I survived as an infant through such hardship because my mother breastfed me. In a time where an estimated 20% of the population died, I survived even when food was scarce and doctors and medicine could not be found. Breastfeeding sustained my life and my health so that I can have an opportunity to give birth to and experience the daily joy of breastfeeding my own 6-month-old son.
 |
| 5/365 |
Check out these posts on this month's theme (updated throughout the day):
Breastfeeding Moms Unite! - The Gift That Keeps On Giving
Elita @ Blactating - The Gift of Confidence
The Milk Momma - Breastfeeding: My Baby's Gift to Me
Momma's Angel - The 12 Gifts of Breastfeeding
Christina at Massachusetts Friends of Midwives - The Intangible Gifts of Breastfeeding
Tanya Lieberman - A Gift I Never Expected
Wow! What an amazing story of survival. I am so glad you shared this. Deep thanks and blessings to you.
ReplyDeleteWhat Melodie said! I can't even imagine how harrowing an experience that was for your parents. It's truly amazing what people can survive through. I love that you are keeping the breastfeeding legacy going strong!
ReplyDeletewow, beautiful and amazing story, thank you for sharing! Your son is gorgeous and has a true family history he will be very proud of!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing story! Thank you for sharing your wonderful story and what an amazing family you have for overcoming such monstrous obstacles!
ReplyDeleteThat is incredible and certainly humbling. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYour story is amazing. But I really can't get over how cute your baby is.
ReplyDeleteYour parents are so amazing! Thanks for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteWow indeed--your mom must have been a strong and determined woman!
ReplyDeleteAwesome story, and that baby is GORGEOUS. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing! What a beautiful story!
ReplyDeleteThought you should know that:
ReplyDelete" Elita @ Blactating - The Gift of Confidence "
links to blacktating.com which is no longer a relevant site, in fact they even promote adult content...