A Mother's Story: Survival, Silence & Strength
“Every journey begins with a vision,
a dream, an idea.
What seems impossible to many is the only path for a few.”
-Sam Som
Compassion… it is not weakness. It is the greatest strength
Treasure of Peace
Clarity by Night. Gratitude by Dawn.
Written by: Sam Som
Treasure of Peace is an evocative memoir of resilience, sacrifice, and the enduring strength of a family bound together by love amidst the chaos of war. It captures the poignant journey of generations, moving gracefully from the tranquil rice paddies of Cambodia to the harrowing darkness of the Khmer Rouge regime, illuminated only by courage and unwavering hope.
At the heart of this narrative stand my beloved parents, whose lives were profoundly shaped by faith, duty, and seemingly impossible choices. Through starvation, exile, espionage, and quiet devotion, their story unfolds as a moving testament—not only to their personal struggles—but to the countless mothers who knelt in prayer, fathers who bravely surrendered their lives, and children whose resilience continues to inspire remembrance.
Read it with an open heart. It is not meant for profit but stands as a living testament to the enduring resilience of the Khmer spirit, and as a tribute to every mother who, through sacrifice and steadfast love, nurtures her children at any cost.
This book is not an attempt at perfection, for memory is inherently fragmented and flawed.
A Remembrance
I am not the author of this story. I am merely the vessel chosen to carry it, to preserve its weight and its light, to honor the souls bound within it.
This is the story of my mother, Thok, whose fierce love and whispered prayers were the invisible raft that carried us across the fires of war.
It also belongs to my father, Yann, whose profound silence spoke volumes of unimaginable strength and endurance. It belongs to every parent who sacrificed everything in the deepest shadows so their children might one day walk in the sun.
It belongs to Cambodia—to the memory of the lost, and to the generations who must carry the burden of remembrance, so that such darkness never falls again.
This manuscript is not perfect, for life itself is woven with flaws and fissures.
It is not polished, for our journey left us scarred, not smooth.
But it is honest.
It is sacred.
It is real.
So let us remember not just their names etched on memorials—but the fierce, fragile beating of their hearts. Their enduring souls. Their ultimate sacrifice.
