Lyn

Journal entry, age seventeen, written right after returning from Vietnam

January 2, 1993

I think about Mẹ’s family and how they can’t do a lot. It is because they have never had the chance. But the weird thing is that Mẹ could do all of these things these people can’t. Why? She can sew. She can farm and be very productive. She went out and sold soup on the streets. She went to Saigon to open a restaurant. Why can’t they? I have a feeling they don’t have the driving force she has.

Mẹ and I have become relatively close in the last few days. . . . She and I have really talked. Sometimes I really wish she didn’t have to work so hard so that I could see her more. Oh well. Maybe soon. I hope they start making some changes, because time isn’t standing still or going backwards.