A Big Sister's Journey: Escaping Saigon with Five Siblings

Le Truong Greuel [00:00:00] My full name is, well in Vietnamese is, Lệ. Mean tears. And last name is Greuel. G-R-E-U-E-L. 

Interviewer [00:00:13] What was your Vietnamese birth name? 

Interviewer [00:00:21] And where were you born? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:00:23] Saigon, Vietnam. 

Interviewer [00:00:25] What year, may I ask? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:00:27] 1950.

Interviewer [00:00:29] 1950. And if you think about your childhood in Vietnam, what are the memories that come to you? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:00:38] I had a very loving family. Mom and dad work hard to raise us children. 11 of us. Dad work for the French government education system and mom stay home and raised us. So it was, well, we did not have everything we wanted, but we were well taken care and it was a good childhood. 

Interviewer [00:01:12] So there was 11 children. 

Le Truong Greuel [00:01:14] 11 of us, yes. 

Interviewer [00:01:16] Where did you fall? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:01:18]  I am the oldest one. 

Interviewer [00:01:19] Oh my goodness!

Le Truong Greuel [00:01:20] With all the responsibilities. 

Interviewer [00:01:24] How many boys, how many girls? How close in age? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:01:31] Let's see. I don't want to leave anybody out. 

Interviewer [00:01:39] There's a lot to count. 

Le Truong Greuel [00:01:41] Yes, 11 of us. Four boys and the rest of us girls. And I am the oldest one. 

Interviewer [00:02:02] What was it like being the oldest? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:02:06] Responsibilities. And watching Mom and dad raising us. And a lot of teaching, a lot of guiding and pushing for success. 

Interviewer [00:02:29] And this is in Vietnam?

Interviewer [00:03:02] Is that in Saigon? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:03:03] Yes. Yes. And then took an exam and was hired by Air Vietnam. So. Personally, my life outside of the house was very satisfying. I had a good life. I get to meet different people and go places and bed in a house. I remain the daughter who have responsibility and help my parent raise my brothers and sisters. And in 1975 a friend offered to help us out of Vietnam. But my mom and my dad refused. Declined to go. Because dad said that Vietnam is my country. Vietnam is where I was born and I have never been involved in politics, so I'm going to stay here. Hence, mom remained behind with him and five other younger sibling. I came to the United State with five younger sibling. So 11 of us and when we get to the state. 

Interviewer [00:04:39] Tell me how you left.

Le Truong Greuel [00:04:44] We were evacuated on the airplane on April the 24th, I think before the fall of the country. And so it was not very dramatic. 

Interviewer [00:05:06] How did you get on the evacuation list? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:05:09] How was it? 

Interviewer [00:05:10] How were you able to be part of that evacuation? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:05:15] Well, a friend of mine, an American offered to help us out. Hence we were able to get out. But beside that we also have a different avenue. But because the other friend of friends. So we took that route. We left the country around 1:00 in the morning looking down. And look at all the street light. And that night I was heartbroken. It was sad. Goodbye, Saigon. Will I ever see you again? And also because Mom and Dad were still back home. And I don't know how things are going to happen to them. 

Interviewer [00:06:13] Was it too much for you to take all your siblings? Why did you choose half? Why did you choose to take half the family? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:06:20] Well, things happened very fast. That friend of mine when he came to the airport and met me at the airport, he said we are going to leave today. It is a very short notice. I was at the airport at the time. So I went home and talked to my parent, and it was a time that. So we were not prepared to go yet. So everything happened so fast and it was a whirlwind. So dad and mom declined to go with us. And at the time, there was five siblings at the house. So I said, okay, I just gather all of these brothers and sisters of mine and, you know, they need a future with the others. They were not home at the time, and we were under a hurry to get back to the airport. And hence I have five of those siblings with me. 

Interviewer [00:07:24] How old were your siblings then? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:07:26] The youngest one was six years old. 

Interviewer [00:07:29] Okay. And you were about 20? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:07:31] 25. 

Interviewer [00:07:32] 25 at the time. 

Le Truong Greuel [00:07:33] Yeah. 

Interviewer [00:07:33] So of those siblings, what were the ages? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:07:38] Next one to me she was 17, 15, 11, and 8. 

Interviewer [00:07:56]  And so they were there and you said, let's just go. 

Le Truong Greuel [00:08:01] Yeah. Let's go. No, we wouldn't let them know we were going to leave the country. We said that let's go and visit our grandpa. 

Interviewer [00:08:08] Okay. So did you let them take anything? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:08:11] No, no. We did not take anything. We were in a hurry to get out. Because we were told that we need to get back to the airport. So we, so we can move on to the MACV (Military Assistance Command, Vietnam) headquarter where the processing the paperwork need to be done. Yes. 

Interviewer [00:08:35] Did you hesitate at any moment that maybe I shouldn't go? My family's here still. This is my country.  

Le Truong Greuel [00:08:44] Did I hesitate to leave? You know, at that time, you didn't think about that. And I have seen so many- I've known that we were losing our country, because too many sources. That's why we already arrange a different avenue to leave the country. But I did everything without talking to my parents. And so when I came home and told them, we need to leave the country dad decline. And yes, we have the intention of leaving the country. Yes. 

Interviewer [00:09:43] So you knew through various sources that South Vietnam was going to lose the war? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:09:48] Yes. 

Interviewer [00:09:49] Do you remember other things that were happening in the city? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:09:54] We live very peacefully in the city. We have terrorism here and there, you know. 

Interviewer [00:10:04] Is it because the fighting was happening in more rural areas?

Le Truong Greuel [00:10:08] Rural areas outside of the capital city. Yes. So we were we did not witness any of the fighting or anything. 

Interviewer [00:10:18] So it's everything that you read and heard. 

Le Truong Greuel [00:10:20] It's just through the media. That's right. 

Interviewer [00:10:26] So your brothers were too young, they probably weren't drafted during the war. 

Le Truong Greuel [00:10:30] Oh, I had a younger brother, who in rank he was like myself, my sister, and him. Yes. He was drafted in the army. Yes. 

Interviewer [00:10:43] How old was he when he got drafted? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:10:48] You know, if I'm 25 at a time. My next sister was 23 and he must have been 21. Yes. 

Interviewer [00:11:05] And did he survive the war? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:11:07] Yes, he survived the war. And he escaped later on on a boat and make it to the United States. 

Interviewer [00:11:19] Was he sent to reeducation camp? After the war. 

Le Truong Greuel [00:11:24] You know, he refused to talk about all of that. Because I think he has some kind of a PTS, you know. And he kind of denied it and he won't talk about it. 

Interviewer [00:11:42] Is your family all in the United States now? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:11:45] Well all my siblings, yes. All my siblings, but except for one we lost who was also a boat people and we have never heard from him, so I think he didn't make it. 

Interviewer [00:12:04] Oh, I'm so sorry. Did he leave with any family or just by himself? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:12:10] By himself. Right. 

Interviewer [00:12:11] Do you remember the year he tried to leave? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:12:16] I think it was in 78 or 79? Yes. It was a tough time. You know, and there's a lot of people who try to escape by boat. 

Interviewer [00:12:31] Yes. My aunt left with her two kids and we never heard from them. Yeah. 

Le Truong Greuel [00:12:36] That's right. Yes. We lost a lot of our people. 

Interviewer [00:12:40] Yeah. How does that make you feel when you think about your brother? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:12:44] Very, very sad. Very unsettled. You know. And I kept thinking about him. And it's just like there's a piece of, you know, of your live is not there. 

Interviewer [00:13:02] Do you ever think about the day that you left on the plane with the four other siblings? Five other siblings? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:13:09] Yes. 

Interviewer [00:13:11] Do you think about wishing that you could take more with you? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:13:17] I didn't think about that, though. I didn't think like well, you know. Taking care of five of them is a big responsibility. And also I was trying to assimilate into the new life and and I don't know what's going to bring tomorrow. So there's a lot of concern and worries and fear. So I don't think about that. And, yes, I was very much worried about my family and their safety back home and what happened to them. And I was a basket case. Yes. 

Interviewer [00:14:02] So you were on the plane, did you go? Oh, when you first came to the United States, was it Oklahoma directly? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:14:09] No. From from Saigon to the Philippine. Stay overnight and then on to Guam for about a week. And when we got to Guam, I heard that they start bombing Saigon and the evacuation program from MACV stop right there from that day. So I remain in Guam for about a week to help with the people translations and help with the newcomers. Then we were jet. Yeah, on a jet. We went to. Yeah. And then we landed in, Fort Smith, Arkansas. And they barely just opened a camp. And we stay there overnight and the next day our sponsor come and get us, so we did not stay too long. 

Interviewer [00:15:25] Who were your sponsors? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:15:27] It was Alex Edward. 

Interviewer [00:15:30] And he took you and all your siblings? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:15:31] Yes. 

Interviewer [00:15:32] And you had known Mr. Edwards.

Le Truong Greuel [00:15:34] For a long time. We were a pen pal. Yes. 

Interviewer [00:15:38] And how did you first meet Mr. Edwards? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:15:41] Well, I don't, I don't, I don't remember. We probably met somewhere, and then we become pen pal. And sometime when he came into the city. We went out and probably to eat or you know, and it shows platonic friendship. Yes. 

Interviewer [00:16:03] So when your sponsor so that meant he brought you and your siblings to Oklahoma? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:16:08] Yes. 

Interviewer [00:16:09] What was your first impression of Oklahoma? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:16:14] Not like back home. 

Interviewer [00:16:16] Tell me what was different. 

Le Truong Greuel [00:16:18] Back home is a lot better. Life was, you know, very fun and boring, you know. At nighttime we don't see everybody or just we don't see people on the street and isolated. 

Interviewer [00:16:42] What did you miss most about Vietnam? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:16:50] Culture. People. Neighbors. The friendship that we have back home. The food. Any time we want to eat, you know there's always food. Day or night. And the life, I mean fun never stop. 

Interviewer [00:17:15] Yeah. 

Le Truong Greuel [00:17:15] Yes. Yes. 

Interviewer [00:17:17] But how was it for your siblings? Especially the younger ones. 

Le Truong Greuel [00:17:21] The younger one. Well you know they miss home and they miss mom and dad and other brothers and sisters. But I was just too busy. I was just too busy because there's so much going on, you know? And, I was my brain, which is spinning. So much worry, so much fear, so much unknown. So I think they get adjusted okay. But they miss home and they miss our parents and family.

Interviewer [00:18:00] So how did you manage to take care of all your siblings at age 25? Like you were sponsored here? Did you go to work right away? Tell me what the first month was like.

Le Truong Greuel [00:18:15] Terrible. You know, I was totally heartbroken. And and don't know how to handle the situation in a different environment. With no relative. No mom and dad and so it was scary. But I did. I did. I kept thinking of my parents. I said that this is what Mom and dad want for me to do. And so would that thought it helped me to take over the responsibility and try to raise my siblings and teach them what is right and wrong. Feed and clothe them. The first the first few months, we missed our food and there was at the time, they we couldn't find any Vietnamese food in the grocery store. And I bought [00:19:29]Chongqing, [0.0s] where they have, bean sprout in a can, which is mushy. Mushy, that's right. And we bought it and then buy meat and just try to, you know, use my imagination to just cook and eat it. 

Interviewer [00:19:52] Was it a very small Vietnamese population in Oklahoma? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:19:55] Yeah. Well, we left our sponsorship with Alex and we move on to a different town. 

Interviewer [00:20:08] Okay. 

Le Truong Greuel [00:20:08] Yes. And then a different church, no and then we have different sponsor who came on board and help us. And that was when theres a lot of pain that set in because of different religion. We did not know that our sponsor were a domination Protestant. And a different denomination where we are Catholic. And so they did a lot of preaching and a lot of brainwashing trying to convert us. And, then when I turn around from them, they threaten to kick us out. And they did. They did. And with the pretext that we need to get out. Me and my sister and I. That we need to move out on our own so that we can have a chance to meet other people and get married. So we did but afterward, my sister called and said that my brother was being disciplined by our sponsor. Do I? Can you follow me? It kind of. 

Interviewer [00:21:48] You, you left your other siblings with the sponsor. 

Le Truong Greuel [00:21:50] Yes. They told us that we need to get out and they're going to keep our younger sibling with them. 

Interviewer [00:21:59] And it's because you and your older sister were older? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:22:02] Right, right. And, so my sister called me and said that my brother was disciplined by them because he refused to have his hair cut. But anyway, I mean, it's a long story. And one day when we came back from the grocery store. When they move us out, they move us into a duplex. And the place was unbelievable. It was filthy nasty. But at the time I make friends with a lady, and she came in and she help us clean up the place and we stay there. Then, you know, it's just. It's kind of hard to have to go through all of this, but I'm trying my best here. Anyway. So one day when my sister and I, we came back from the grocery store, we saw our siblings sitting there at the stair steps to the  building to the so they brought all my sibling and left them at the door.

Interviewer [00:23:29] Oh at your duplex. 

Le Truong Greuel [00:23:31] Yeah. 

Interviewer [00:23:31] Yeah. And that was the last you spoke to them? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:23:34] Pardon me? 

Interviewer [00:23:36] Did you speak to those sponsors again? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:23:38] No, no, after that I said it's done, you know, and we never. We never spoke again. And then I went on take care of my brothers and sisters. And I had a job with the school system. You know, teaching the Vietnamese kids who were coming into town. The thing is that when I was living with those sponsor there, I asked them to take us to the Catholic Church, and they said they did not have time, but through the grace of God. I one day get a phone call. Just like that and the lady on the other end asked me whether whether we were the Vietnamese refugees. And I say yes, yes, and would you help me take us to the Catholic Church? And she said, no honey I am very old, I cannot. I do not drive. But I so I asked how do you know about us? She said that I live right across of the church that you come to church with you rsponsor. I know your sponsors and I don't like them. I don't know why she called me and she told me all of that. So I beg her to help me, because at the time I was yearning to be in a Catholic church, to pray and to be close to God, to be comforted. And so she introduced me to a friend of her and her name was Isabel. And she came to the place where we were staying with the sponsor. Isabel was the one who help us through the ordeal. One day. Oh, Isabel was from New York. And she got married and moved to Muskogee and have a ballet. Yes, ballet dancing school. And so one day I walk up. She just she lived about, like about 3 or 4 blocks from where we were staying. So I went over to visit with her and then somebody knock on the door when I was in there talking, visiting with Isabel, and she opened a door and it was my sponsor. I left a note at home when I went over to visit with Isabel, and so he walked in and I, I was kind of happy to see him because he had my note and I told him that I am here visiting with my friend. And then the first thing he asked me, do you know what day is today? I think and I said I thought and yeah, wednesday. Wednesday is when they go to church. Do you go to church Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday. And so I ask him, oh, Mr. So-and-so, do I have to? And he got upset with me and he said, young lady, if you start telling me what to do, then you will have to start paying bills. So I was very embarrassed and I was pretty, pretty scared. So I told Isabel. So after that, he just left. So I told Isabel I need to go home. And on the way home, I was just crying a storm. Didn't know what to do, what's going to happen, how I'm going to pay bills, and with all my brothers and sisters. And I pray and I pray and as I get close to the house. All of a sudden I just I don't know where I get the courage. I gather all the courage. I came in and I talked to the lady, my sponsor there, and I say, Mr. So, Mrs. So-and-so, I need to sit down and visit with you and your husband. And that was when I told them I appreciate their help, you know. And I know that the cost of taking care of all of us is a lot and I'm not able to contribute into the care of us. But, if you intend to convert us to your church, I don't think you'll be successful. Because I am Catholic. My parents are Catholic and you will not be successful. And that was done. That was why they kick us out after that. 

Interviewer [00:29:12] So where did you go after that? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:29:15] So I went on take care of my own, my sibling, all by myself. Go to school, I mean, teach in school there. And with the help of friends, we went on. And I met my husband one day in church. And he came to me. I was really reluctant to to to get to know him. But he is from a wonderful family with 15 children. 

Interviewer [00:29:47] Oh my goodness. 

Le Truong Greuel [00:29:50] So we were very compatible. Right. 

Interviewer [00:29:53] Was he also the oldest? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:29:55] No, he is the number nine, the first boy. 

Interviewer [00:30:02] Oh, first boy. Okay. 

Le Truong Greuel [00:30:03] After after eight girls. 

Interviewer [00:30:05] Oh, wow. 

Le Truong Greuel [00:30:07] Anyway, so I met him and he honored me with a full wedding. And took all my brothers and sisters in, and we raised them and put them all through college.

Interviewer [00:30:27] Did you have children of your own? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:30:29] Yes. We have three daughters and a son. Which we lost our son at the age of 15 years old to a genetic condition, heart condition. And which my husband inherited to so he had a heart transplant in 2002 and then had a stroke after that. So ever since, I've been a full time caregiver to my husband. And I completely dedicate myself. To my family and to my husband. But when my husband was successful in his business. He was a vice president of a company and he traveled the world. Which I went with him some time and I thought life was looking up for us. But then, you know, overnight things went completely down. Because when he was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a heart condition that required a new heart. And so, life completely changed for me. 

Interviewer [00:32:11] When you first got married, because your husband's German-

Le Truong Greuel [00:32:15] Excuse me. 

Interviewer [00:32:16] Your husband's German? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:32:17] Well, his origin. You know, his origin is is German. But, you know, he was born in the United States. 

Interviewer [00:32:25] What year did you guys get married? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:32:27] 77. Two years after. 

Interviewer [00:32:29] Yeah. 

Le Truong Greuel [00:32:30] Yes. 

Interviewer [00:32:30] So in 77 when you were living in Oklahoma as a Vietnamese, did you face more discrimination? And then did you face discrimination as a mixed race couple? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:32:43] You know, fortunately, I did not meet any discrimination because I speak English and I'm very resourceful. I want to know about things. I want to learn about things I want to- So, most of the time, you know, the people that I met were very friendly to me. And I guess because, you know, the language help them to know who I was and you know, and plight that we were in so they were very friendly and sympathetic toward me. 

Interviewer [00:33:35] That's good. 

Le Truong Greuel [00:33:36] Yes. 

Interviewer [00:33:37] And have you shared your story with your children, just how you came to America and what life was like? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:33:43] Yes, I told them about that. You know, I wish I had more time with my children when they were growing up. Unfortunately, because of the situation that we try to sponsor the rest of the family to come over. Mom and dad and my other siblings. So and raising all my brothers and sisters. So I didn't have a lot of time. Spend a lot of time with my children, which I regret. Now I look back and wish I could have, you know, could have been a lot closer to them. But my husband and I we discipline our kids. We talk to our kids. We teach them what is, what is right and what is wrong. And I talk to them about Vietnam, how I grew up and how we respect our elders and and we don't call our parents by their first name. Yes. 

Interviewer [00:35:10] Have you been back to Vietnam? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:35:12] Unfortunately not. I wanted to go so bad, but because of my husband sickness. So. And anyway, we successfully brought eight members of the family over to. And my husband is wonderful. We bought a house for them. And. We. Well, we had to. Have to put. You know, asset on collateral in order to bring them over as immigrants who were not refugees and they were not supposed to go on public assistance or anything like that. So eight more members of the family and here with five others that we're taking care already. We were not able to get them all the health insurance except for mom. But, year and a half after mom came over she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. And we lost her. 

Interviewer [00:36:24] I'm sorry. How old was she when she came? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:36:25] She was very young. She was like 63 or something. 

Interviewer [00:36:29] Oh, wow. 

Le Truong Greuel [00:36:30] Yes. 

Interviewer [00:36:31] And your dad?

Le Truong Greuel [00:36:33] Dad had an accident, traffic accident, and he was in a coma and then passed away at home. 

Interviewer [00:36:45] I'm sorry. Was that shortly after your mom or? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:36:52] No, no, no, dad passed away. Like in the 79. 

Interviewer [00:36:56] Okay. 

Le Truong Greuel [00:36:57] Yes. And they have the opportunity to get out of the country. But dad, for some reason, did not want to leave because he worked for the French government before, and he was offered by the French government to get out of Vietnam. He was called to the consulate. And he still refused. 

Interviewer [00:37:20] Do you think he regret it later or? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:37:22] I don't know. I don't know. You know I didn't talk to him. 

Interviewer [00:37:27] Yeah. So I just have, one last question for you. And if there's anything else you'd like to share, please let me know. Is there anything else you'd like to share before I ask? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:37:37] Well, you know, I mean life is full of, you know, suffering and full of unknown. We never. We never thought that we would be over here. That would load. We would lose our country. But, it's happened. It happened. And we, the Vietnamese people, we have- our country have fought a forever war. And now we are scattered all over the world. It's almost like the Israelites. But we endure. We persevere and we thrive in our new country, and I'm very proud that we are very successful. And the younger generation now they I hope and pray that, they will not forget. You know where they from. And and I'm teaching my children the same way. Hence my daughter, she volunteered me for this. And I told her, honey, I do not have a traumatic experience. But she said, mom, you know, maybe you did not have that kind of experience, but your life wasn't easy. When you come into a new country, you faced with all kind of adversities and you overcame that. So what else? So here I am. 

Interviewer [00:39:33] How has the Vietnamese community in Oklahoma changed since you first moved here to today? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:39:43] Because we moved to Oklahoma City because of my husband health condition. And I actually, I don't have the opportunity to get to know people here in Oklahoma City. And like I said, my whole life has been occupied with taking care of families. And so I don't have- When I married my husband, he wanted for me to stay home to to care for my siblings and our son. So ever since I have not work anywhere and hopefully I hope and was dreaming that one day I will get back to the workforce. Which never happened because my husband became sick at the very early age in his 40s. So, so ever since I've been a caregivers. And I embrace that. I embrace that because he is a wonderful man. And right now he is in a in a facility. And every day I go there, stay with him, care for him, make sure that, you know, he has the proper care. And I don't go home until, like, 11:00 at night. 

Interviewer [00:41:17] So you don't have a lot of time? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:41:19] No, I don't have a life. I have a lot of friends, but I lost all of them because what do I have? You know what kind of social life can I have? Because I don't have, you know, life goes on, but mine is just revolved around my taking care of my husband. But I embrace that, you know, and one day at a time and the care that he is having right now take a lot of money. A lot of money. But I'd rather have him home with me, but because he fell several time and the stress that I have impair my mental health. 

Interviewer [00:42:21] Yes, I understand. 

Le Truong Greuel [00:42:22] It is tremendous. 

Interviewer [00:42:24] Yes. Well you have to take care of yourself too. 

Le Truong Greuel [00:42:28] Yeah, I've been told it a zillion time. But, you know, the Vietnamese in me. 

Interviewer [00:42:36] Yeah. 

Le Truong Greuel [00:42:37] You know how we are. We live for the family. 

Interviewer [00:42:41] Yes. You make a lot of sacrifices for family. 

Le Truong Greuel [00:42:43] Right, right. And we forget ourselves. 

Interviewer [00:42:47] Yes. 

Le Truong Greuel [00:42:48] And I don't know. 

Interviewer [00:42:52] But now that your children and siblings are older, you can take more time for yourself. 

Le Truong Greuel [00:42:59] I don't want to put the burden on them. I don't. For example, like my daughter, Regina, she has a condition too. She inherited the condition too. She had a cardiac arrest last year. 

Interviewer [00:43:15] She's okay now? 

Le Truong Greuel [00:43:16] Yes, yes. She was fortunate that her husband was right there and get help really fast, but she was in intensive care for quite a time too. And we lost our son too. 

Interviewer [00:43:30] Yeah. 

Le Truong Greuel [00:43:31] At the age of 15. To the same condition like my husband. So, a lot of, a lot of sadness, a lot of sorrow. But. 

Interviewer [00:43:45] But there's also a lot of happiness in the family that you've created. 

Le Truong Greuel [00:43:52] Yes, well. And I'm thankful that I know God is there for me. And it's is a very challenged life. But, you know. I don't know God's will. 

Interviewer [00:44:05] Yeah. 

Le Truong Greuel [00:44:06] You know, he has his reason that I don't know. But I pray for patience. I pray for perseverance and wisdom. And so far I'm doing okay. There are good day. There bad days. And then my bucket list is one day to get to go home in Vietnam and visit. And I was advised not to because all the memories I have is what is beautiful. But now if I go back there, things have changed so much and I would be disappointed. 

Interviewer [00:44:47] Oh well but you have to see it for yourself. Don't let others tell you how you will feel. 

Le Truong Greuel [00:44:55] Yes, I do, I do want to. But I told them I still want. I would be prepared for it. 

Interviewer [00:45:00] Yes. 

Le Truong Greuel [00:45:00] Now that you tell me. Yes, I will, I will, I will. Yes.