Courage - Posting by Josh Kenney, Regis RA

While Loung's story is most exceptional and inspirational, I find her sister Chou to be the sister that has overcome the most adversity.  Bound by her customs, she is faithful and unquestioning of the authority of her family and her husband.  She also had to endure the aftermath of the Khymer Rogue regime far longer than Loung.  The patience in which she braved the war-torn third-world conditions of Cambodia- without a mother or father - is truly remarkable. 

Were you inspired by a figure in Loung's story, or your own life who overcame adversity or a particular challenge?

Comments

[Tim King - Loyola Summer RA]

Overcoming such challenges as Loung did in the story is certainly an inspiring tale. I have many friends who considered dropping out of Fairfield after their first year but their insistence and refusal to give up ultimately brought them through. These stories really are magnificent. Taking your first step away from home is always a difficult one but even more rewarding once you've found your place.

[Ashlee Downing RA Claver Hall]

Like Loung, I have seen a few people in my life that overcame challenges in their lives; the most recent is my father. My father has just recently become a police officer for the City of Taunton. This was a long time goal of his and he was finally able to accomplish it at the age of 49 with a lot of dedication and support from his family and friends. He had to change the way he lived his life as he pushed himself both physically and mentally to accomplish this goal. I admire my father for accomplishing this and look upon him as a role model. Do you have a relative or friend that accomplished a major life goal recently?

[Clayton Patton - RA Claver Hall]

I was inspired by Loung herself. I cannot imagine how difficult and
terrifying it was for her to have to watch her friends and loved ones
disappear from around her. The fact that she was able to overcome all
of the hardship and be able to write about it is inspiring to say the
least.

[Ali Deitz - RA Dolan]

I was inspired by all of the people in Loung’s story. Each was faced with a very challenging situation, and the supported each other and had the strength to survive.

[A.J. Piper, RA Loyola]

I have always been inspired by my father. His father suffered from alcoholism throughout his entire youth, resulting in the dissolution of two marriages and several unpleasant relocations. As a result, he is aware of the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse as are my brother and I. In addition, I was always impressed by my father's ability to forgive. We visited my grandfather frequently growing up, and my father never regarded him with anything but love (although occasionally expressed in the form of frustration). I have inherited this ability to forgive as well as a desire to understand from where people's problems are coming.

[Adela Ndoi]

i love Loung's novel. It is the most inspiring novel i have ever read. i cant remember the last time i cried while reading a book yet this book brought tears to my eyes twice. I am amazed at Loung's courage and determined even more to make it through college. I will definitely visit Max's bakery (Kim's shop) in California lol

[Chelsea Bailey, Gonzaga Hall RA]

My family and friends inspire me every day. With every obstacle, no matter how big or small that each of them overcomes I am able to gain strength through their strength and support.

[Clayton Patton RA Claver Hall]

I was inspired by Loung herself. I cannot imagine how difficult and terrifying it was for her to have to watch her friends and loved ones disappear from around her. The fact that she was able to overcome all of the hardship and be able to write about it is inspiring to say the least.

[Catherine Aldi, RA Jogues]

After reading Lucky Child I was mostly inspired by Loung. After losing her parents and most of her family, Loung found the strength and courage to move to a strange country at a very young age. Although she felt like she did not fit in with the other children her age, she persisted in her attempts to make friends and adapt to a new culture. I have difficulty adapting to even the slightest change, which made Loung’s strength seem incredible to me.

[Niko Valaris, RA Campion]

In Lucky Child, I was especially impressed by Loung’s sister Chou. She was repeatedly denied that which she wished; left to stay in Cambodia while others escaped to America, not allowed to attend school, nor choose her own husband. In addition, Chou was forced to endure the countless dangers of living in war-torn Cambodia, including marauding Khmer Rouge, landmines, and dangerous animals. Yet through it all, Chou remained respectful, selfless, and disciplined. She placed the needs of the family above her own, and constantly worked to ensure the well-being of others. She did not feel entitled to anything, and understood that she must work for everything she wanted. I wish I could mimic this attitude and live by it as well.

[Emily Dragone, RA Regis Hall]

I am constantly inspired by those around me and Loung's story is no different. The mere ability to cope with such anger and hatred and yet refusing to let it define you is heroic. Family for Loung is what motivates and comforts her during various trying times and I truly believe that is what makes her successful.

[Jeff Seiser, RA Campion]

The person that overcame great adversity that inspires me everyday is my Dad. My Dad experienced great adversity by never having the opportunity to meet his father, as he died prior to my father’s birth. Thus, he never had the experiences all boys have with their dad. Even without a Dad, he grew into a great, successful person. He has always been a great inspiration to me and I strive to always make him proud.

[Kathleen Massey, RA Apartments]

I really admired Meng. Not only did he bring himself and his wife to America to start a new life, but he brought his little sister as well, with the intention of bringing his entire family eventually. He worked and studied so hard to give his family the American Dream. I think that often times we take for granted the things that he worked so hard
for his family to have (education especially).

[Laura Defrancesco, RA Gonzaga]

Eang’s role as surrogate mother and link to the past for Loung inspired me because she accepted her husband’s desire to bring Loung to America and raised her as a daughter and never treated her as an unwanted burden. Eang was also Loung’s cultural link to her family in Cambodia, which although she finds her family embarrassing as a youth, by the end of the novel she truly appreciates that connection.

[Michael Csorba, RA Regis]

This memoir brings to mind a constant internal struggle that I have, over the past two years at Fairfield, begun to question. How can I live my life, with the luxuries I have (i.e. car, cell phone, lap top, college education) knowing that there are starving people not just in other countries but in my town? Loung's story inspires me to follow the Ignatian call of being "men and women for others." It also reminds me to use the gifts and talents that I have been blessed with for greater purposes. Loung and her sister's story inspire me to be grateful and self-giving. Most importantly, their story reminds me that each day is a gift and to live each day to the fullest. These aren't just words anymore, Loung's memoir reminds us that our lives are fragile and can be drastically altered at any moment.

[Michael Csorba, RA Regis]

This memoir brings to mind a constant internal struggle that I have, over the past two years at Fairfield, begun to question. How can I live my life, with the luxuries I have (i.e. car, cell phone, lap top, college education) knowing that there are starving people not just in other countries but in my town? Loung's story inspires me to follow the Ignatian call of being "men and women for others." It also reminds me to use the gifts and talents that I have been blessed with for greater purposes. Loung and her sister's story inspire me to be grateful and self-giving. Most importantly, their story reminds me that each day is a gift and to live each day to the fullest. These aren't just words anymore, Loung's memoir reminds us that our lives are fragile and can be drastically altered at any moment.