Poker. I can see it makes my family happy. There’s a higher level of consciousness at the table at times when emotions aren’t tangling with ego. A playful way to digest a meal. An event the kids look forward to “growing up” for. Ironically, adults feel younger when playing.

Yet as a kid myself watching the generations float by, I still see myself a part of the games. I imagine myself seated next to you & you let me take your seat as you did when I was “a kid.” I see the empty chair of my uncle, my aunt, my grandma, my grandpa, and most often, my father. Temporarily reserving this seat for my happiness.

You see, they were never afraid to show their eagerness to make me happy and neither was I, I just didn’t know how.

I was always told I had potential and being imprisoned made this task rather difficult, but it only became difficult because I feared to listen to my Inner Voice. How do I show my family and the world a picture they haven’t seen in anyone they come across daily? A picture without the ‘prison blues?’ What is the reason for this intrusion of privacy and how does it play a role in this grander plan? Is it taking risks & going all in on pure faith of my imagination given to me by God? Eternal life is power, I suppose. We take bets on life’s coincidences by seizing opportunities to be happier in spirit. In every game, in every moment, in each and every memory I am no longer imprisoned because He saved me a seat at this table with you all, Eternally of course.

My love & respect to the Hoang family.