The RETURN...

Hello, my friends....
I must say, when I stood in the gym at Oxford among my new friends, the "Yoga Ladies", Lyndee and I discussing the story writing of our Vietnam experiences, never in a million years would I have guessed that it all would lead up to this, returning to Vietnam. From the start, the insistance and support from these ladies started me to write. Oh my, the flood gates opened and a book was born....a book that is not the work of a literary genius, but instead "my story told". I feel my book, "Silk Pajamas & Tombstone Eyes" has been well received among those who have read it. Now, it seems the energy around it has taken on a life of it's own. People are coming into my life with cause and effect that blows me away. Rusty, a new aquatance and friend enters the scene. In a matter of minutes I am exposed to his kindness, compassion and simply put, a loving soul...he offers me free airfair (standby) for two, round trip to Vietnam. Now I am faced with the unimaginable, returning to Vietnam. Two days later, I was at my dentist, Gary Gilbert, sharing with him my new and exciting development. As many questions were asked, I discover Gary is interested in going with me...he is a man of adventure, a bit of a risk taker and another loving soul. It has been decided that he will go with me and be my companion, photographer, documentarian and the truth of it all, my good friend who is looking out for me. I have never been so humbled in my life....the show of kindness and generosity leaves me overwhelmed.... Friends....friends....friends.....
I truly am blessed. So, the time is upon us, as we leave PDX Wednesday morning at 7:30 on United Airlines. Here is a short summary of what we think will be our approach. Once we have arrived in Can Tho and are settled into the hotel, we will secure a translater to travel with us. We will have camcorders and film the whole journey. We will walk to the neighborhood where we lived during the war. I will walk up to the house I bought for Muoi forty years ago, knock on the door and see who answers...could be Muoi, could be one of the kids who are now in their forties and fifties, or no one I know answers. If they are not there, then we will walk the neighborhood, talking to the residence showing pics to hopefully find someone who remembers them and knows where they went or what happened to them. As you can see, this is like walking into a dark closet and not knowing what you will encounter. Of course, why not.... it is time to go out on the edge, don't want to take up to much space. It is obvious to me, this is meant to be, I have to follow through on this as it does have a life of it's own. Come on, Gary... let's go find the edge.

I will attempt entries every day to keep you updated.