Chapter Fourteen- Letting Go

In the final chapter of When Heaven and Earth Changed Places, Le Ly focuses on letting go of her past and moving on to the future.  As she sees the changes in Ky La, her hometown, she decides not to dwell on the past, but rather to change the future. Though she must once more leave her family, she begins to move on from her childhood.  She begins working not to restore Ky La from the war, but rather to build a new Vietnam through her foundation "East Meets West Foundation." She describes her experience saying:

"By coming back to her place of landing, she completed the first circle of her life. By reencountering her companions on that journey, she recited to them the lessons she had learned, and was judged by the universal law-that more-than-physical bond between beings everywhere and at all times- and was told the purpose of her life." (361)

In this anaphora, Le Ly concludes both her journey and book as she recounts the circle of her life. As one grows into a mature adult and is faced with new responsibilities, one is faced with the challenge of letting go of their childhood, closing another circle, and preparing for the new course ahead.  With only two years left of high school, I too must look to the future.  While the past is full of valuable and unforgettable lessons, one must not dwell on the "good old days," but find the goodness in the life ahead.  As Carrie Underwood teaches in her song "Jesus Take the Wheel," one must "let go" of yesterday and hope for tomorrow.

To listen to "Jesus Take the Wheel" please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=lydBPm2KRaU.