“My mom was in palliative care at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, and my dad did not like Asian food at all. But we were there all the time and there was this restaurant across the street, Nha Trang, that he had heard about from his friend.
“My dad, sister and I spent a lot of time at the hospital in those last few weeks. But we finally took a break one day and went across the street. And we all had the same thing: vermicelli in a bowl, which is my favorite, with chicken and then of course spring rolls. The service was amazing. The people were amazing. And when you’re going through something so heavy in your life, when people are nice to you, it changes the whole vibe of what’s going on around you. When an experience is that good, the food tastes even better.
“My ex-husband would always count calories and talk about health, and I usually eat pretty healthy, but I would say to him that if a meal is made with love, and you’re enjoying it with people you love, that stuff doesn’t matter.
“And it’s funny, how a tragedy can focus the mind. This was years ago, but I remember everything about it — I even remember exactly where we parked. So it was this really sad time, but we also had this really beautiful moment. It shows how many things can be true at once. My dad was quick to laugh — he was quick to cry, too — but there was definitely a lot of joy there, and he really liked his vermicelli bowl!”
Nha Trang
Spruce Avenue | 10120 111 Avenue NW, Edmonton | 780.479.4649 | nha-trangrestaurant.com
