How childhood storytelling helped create a book about family, hardship, and hope.
Thanksgiving Day - November 26th, 2020
"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you."
- Maya Angelou
Author's Note
Growing up, my mother would tell me stories about her life in Vietnam and her journey in reaching the free world. She recounted extraordinary tales of hardship and sacrifice. I went to bed at night without even realizing the power that these stories possessed, but over the years, I have come to recognize the impact that they’ve had on my life.
The purpose in writing this book was to share my family’s immigration story, however throughout the process, I began to see the underlining meaning behind my writing. What makes this story unique is the fact that it is written from the perspective of a first-generation Asian American. The main inspiration stems from my mother’s story, but everything else from the characters to the story plots, are all works of my imagination. In a way, I see this book as a personal memoir because of how close it gets to depicting my own story. This blending of stories is why “Bring Your Heart” means so much to me. Not only does it serve as a representation of my family’s heritage, but it’s also a personal reflection and has allowed me to look back upon the life lessons that I’ve gained throughout my life.
In the end, Bring Your Heart is a story about family. I am blessed to have a life of freedom and it’s all because of the sacrifices that my parents and grandparents made nearly four decades ago. If there’s one thing I want readers to do after finishing this book, it’s to let their family members know how much they care for them.
Love is the key that opens the heart.
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