Letter from the Editor
Dear Friends:

Governor Lynette’s theme is The Neverending Story. It is interesting to see how stories interconnect. Perhaps they do because at the heart of it, as individuals, we are all threads of the same fabric, weaving life ogether. . .

After the November board meeting I noticed President Sandy holding something close to her chest. I figured it was her notebook from the meeting. She approached me and asked if I was interested in reading a book. It was written by a young Vietnamese man who was a survivor of the Vietnam War and its aftermath. “It fits in so well with this year’s President’s Appeal,” Sandy said.

The funds raised from this year’s President’s Appeal will go to support the ‘Ho Chi Minh City Youth Shelter’ in Vietnam. It is home to over 500 homeless children ranging in age from 8 to 18. These are children who have been forgotten by their own society. They are considered ‘children of the dust’ or what some call ‘throw away children’ and not worth saving.

Still holding onto the book Sandy continued, “It’s a sad story. But what got me through it, was knowing that the boy survives.” It was obvious that the story touched Sandy deeply. My interest was peaked, so when she handed me the book, I was anxious to check it out. I didn’t read the PR on the back cover; instead I dove right in. Before I knew it, I was half-way through the book. I found it an easy read – which seems like an oxymoron. The topic is so heartrending, but the words the author uses are like poetry.

The book is “The Unwanted” by Kien Nguyen. Kien is Amerasian; his mother is a Vietnamese Socialite, his dad an American soldier and no longer on the scene. In the beginning of the book Kien is five years old. His mom Khuon Nguyen, is the vice president of a bank and is well respected. The family lives in a lovely mansion with a beautiful garden maintained by a gardener named Mr. Tran. They have many maids, including a nanny.

As the Vietnam War progresses, the lives of Kien and his family take a dramatic turn. Their house and garden are destroyed – by their once gardener (Mr. Tran), who has been put in charge – when the house is taken over by the government.

Kien is a half-breed, an outcast, an unwanted. His father had returned to the states long ago. At one point Kien’s mom is asked if she is a prostitute or if she has collaborated with an American. She is forced to make a choice of one or the other. Khuon lies to save her son. She says she is a prostitute.

The book covers a myriad of feelings: from disbelief to faith; from despair to hope; from betrayal to loyalty; from loathing to loving. I know why Sandy held the book close to her heart. It touched me deeply too. So much so, that during one weekly phone conversation with my sister Donna, who lives in Illinois, I mentioned the book. The following Saturday Donna said she had gotten the book from the library. And by the next Saturday she had finished the book. She agreed that it was quite a moving story, but easy to read. It is amazing the challenges people overcome. “The Unwanted” is only one of many stories.

We learn more about the whole of life, when we share the individual stories. I am grateful to President Sandy for sharing the treasure of “The Unwanted” with me. I encourage you to read the book and to share the story – and to share other stories from your heart. They are all part of the Neverending Story.

With Gratitude and Love,
Kathy Purcell
Editor