Letters From Heaven's Gateway 7
Stephen and Hoa30 total reviews
Comment from Debi Pick Marquette
My dearest Sally, this is the first opportunity I have had to read this story, but I did not forget. This is ��Wrenching, ��Breaking, ��Warming all at the same time,
Your stepbrother was an amazing man, and not clear if he was from your mom's second marriage or your dad's, he was still a brother of sort.
How very sweet a story of him wanting her by his side and she would never be the type to leave him, but sadly he had to leave her, just as he left you all. I ams so sorry for that loss. You maybe didn't grow up with him, but he obviously was very brave and you were close to him. I am thankful to Steve as I am for many like him who did what they could to make this a safer country for us.
What an absolutely remarkable story, yet earthshaking sad. I read it over twice to get every lovely part of the story. So I must ask, have you and Hoa ever met, crossed paths at all, even know where she is? Did I take it right that they had a child? Thank you for telling me of telling me about your story. Vietnam stories are hard to listen to as I have lost so many people I care about. However, what it did to Steve was the same as if they killed him there. I am proud for you and pray that you are doing ok now since his death.
My two brothers didn't die from war, but they meant everything to me. God bless you and believe there is a special place in Heaven for men like Steve!
reply by the author on 20-Dec-2022
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My dearest Sally, this is the first opportunity I have had to read this story, but I did not forget. This is ��Wrenching, ��Breaking, ��Warming all at the same time,
Your stepbrother was an amazing man, and not clear if he was from your mom's second marriage or your dad's, he was still a brother of sort.
How very sweet a story of him wanting her by his side and she would never be the type to leave him, but sadly he had to leave her, just as he left you all. I ams so sorry for that loss. You maybe didn't grow up with him, but he obviously was very brave and you were close to him. I am thankful to Steve as I am for many like him who did what they could to make this a safer country for us.
What an absolutely remarkable story, yet earthshaking sad. I read it over twice to get every lovely part of the story. So I must ask, have you and Hoa ever met, crossed paths at all, even know where she is? Did I take it right that they had a child? Thank you for telling me of telling me about your story. Vietnam stories are hard to listen to as I have lost so many people I care about. However, what it did to Steve was the same as if they killed him there. I am proud for you and pray that you are doing ok now since his death.
My two brothers didn't die from war, but they meant everything to me. God bless you and believe there is a special place in Heaven for men like Steve!
Comment Written 19-Dec-2022
reply by the author on 20-Dec-2022
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Thank you for the beautiful review and generous comments. I?m so very honored, dear friend. You are so sweet to do this and for no bonus money. I am glad that it bless you and I guess that will have to be bonus enough. I miss my brother so much he was actually my stepbrother and he was Maurice?s middle son. He was my favorite though as you can see why. He always came over to the house and spent time with us after he was home from tours and let us talk to him and listen to him ask questions for hours and hours. It was amazing to get his perspective on the war. He joined he was not drafted. it was something he felt like he was called to do since he was a young boy. Oh my step brothers were born in Okinawa. My stepfather had been stationed there for a long time as a Marine Corps major. Chuck Norris graced Steve?s tombstone. He?s buried in Washington State. Hoa returned to Cambodia after Steve passed away to search for family that was reportedly living there. I never met her only through stories and photos. She was beautiful and much like the photo in the post. Thank you so much! Love and blessings always,
Sal XOs
Comment from karenina
What a heart wrenching account! I am so sorry for your loss. Your step brother found his soulmate under the most harrowing circumstances! How beautiful they were married! Agent Orange was an unseen enemy...far too many died from its exposure. He was a true patriot. I pray Hoa and her siblings were there to bring him peace as he passed. War is hell. Love can blossom anywhere!--Karenina
reply by the author on 04-Jun-2021
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What a heart wrenching account! I am so sorry for your loss. Your step brother found his soulmate under the most harrowing circumstances! How beautiful they were married! Agent Orange was an unseen enemy...far too many died from its exposure. He was a true patriot. I pray Hoa and her siblings were there to bring him peace as he passed. War is hell. Love can blossom anywhere!--Karenina
Comment Written 04-Jun-2021
reply by the author on 04-Jun-2021
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Thank you so much for going back to review this. I'm glad that it touched you. I never saw Steve again after that day as he returned to Washington; and our parents divorced shortly after that. He died of the cancer a few years later and was buried in Washington state. His wife returned to Southeast Asia to search for remaining family. Sending you my best today as always,
Sal XOs...
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It was an honor to read your well written tribute to his legacy. I hope his widow found her remaining family members. I wish you all the best!--Karenina
Comment from Goodadvicechan
Beauty is in the beholder's eyes. Although Steve felt the loving care from Hoa,he married Hoa because of his in need of Hoa to keep him alive. He might not see it through how painful and stressful to take care of a cancer patient.
If I were Steve, I would have asked Hoa to wait till he recovered from the cancers and flew back to hold a bigger wedding. Of course, it takes a lot of courage to go through the recovery. For love, it maybe worth to suffer by one person instead of two. Although separated, love can be stronger. Separation is till love.
reply by the author on 16-Nov-2020
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Beauty is in the beholder's eyes. Although Steve felt the loving care from Hoa,he married Hoa because of his in need of Hoa to keep him alive. He might not see it through how painful and stressful to take care of a cancer patient.
If I were Steve, I would have asked Hoa to wait till he recovered from the cancers and flew back to hold a bigger wedding. Of course, it takes a lot of courage to go through the recovery. For love, it maybe worth to suffer by one person instead of two. Although separated, love can be stronger. Separation is till love.
Comment Written 15-Nov-2020
reply by the author on 16-Nov-2020
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Thank you for taking the time to to review my story and for the stars.
All my best,
Sally :)
Comment from Elizabeth Emerald
Congrats on your well-deserved prize for this heartwarming story. You tell it beautifully, with meticulous detail and with such joy! I hope they had many years together before his death. Cheers. LIZ (reword the sentence...the fifteen mile hike was slow....arriving before)
reply by the author on 17-Jul-2020
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Congrats on your well-deserved prize for this heartwarming story. You tell it beautifully, with meticulous detail and with such joy! I hope they had many years together before his death. Cheers. LIZ (reword the sentence...the fifteen mile hike was slow....arriving before)
Comment Written 15-Jul-2020
reply by the author on 17-Jul-2020
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Thanks so much for the excellent review and suggestion. I will give it a look. Sending you my best today as always,
Sal xoxo
Comment from Barb Hensongispsaca
I don't read a lot of stories, my eyes suffer when I do, but I am so glad you gave me this one to read. Amazing and I even allowed myself the luxury of remembering the war. It was my passion after Dave was killed. Amazing story. Thank you
reply by the author on 11-Jun-2020
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I don't read a lot of stories, my eyes suffer when I do, but I am so glad you gave me this one to read. Amazing and I even allowed myself the luxury of remembering the war. It was my passion after Dave was killed. Amazing story. Thank you
Comment Written 11-Jun-2020
reply by the author on 11-Jun-2020
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I just knew you would like this. I'm so glad you were able to stop by and read it. I was so moved by your own true story, and knew you were around my age. I don't know if people much younger than us can really relate to this. We lived through this, and it really was a trying time like no other. Our losses were grievous.
I am deeply honored by the six star rating and kind compliments. Thank you very much for stopping by and taking the time to appreciate its merits. That means the world to me.
Sending you my best today as always,
Sally xoxoxo
Comment from ExperiencingLiphe
I always think that we fall in love when we least expect it. It doesn't happen when we go searching for it, maybe because we're trying to force it, but this is so heart warming and sad. You did so great with it.
reply by the author on 11-Jun-2020
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I always think that we fall in love when we least expect it. It doesn't happen when we go searching for it, maybe because we're trying to force it, but this is so heart warming and sad. You did so great with it.
Comment Written 10-Jun-2020
reply by the author on 11-Jun-2020
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Thank you very much for the lovely review and six star rating dear Megan. I'm so glad you like this given that you were so much younger than me! I'm glad you could see the merit of this and the sweet story within. It was the most difficult time for a nation and for families that had men in the military it was downright scary. Our family would go for months without hearing from Steve. Still, as the sole survivor of the family, I'm glad I was able to share a glimpse of the real war not seen on the news, and a bit good that came from it all. Sending you my best today as always with many thanks,
Sal xoxoxo
Comment from A. Willow Bends
Oh well, what can I possibly say about this? These stars seem so very lame to attach to this. With tears in my eyes I am typing this, so if there are mistakes, overlook them. I cannot review this. I can only say this is such a loving and beautiful tribute that there are not sufficient words. Amazingly touching and beautiful, Sally. Perfection.
Wendy
reply by the author on 11-Jun-2020
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Oh well, what can I possibly say about this? These stars seem so very lame to attach to this. With tears in my eyes I am typing this, so if there are mistakes, overlook them. I cannot review this. I can only say this is such a loving and beautiful tribute that there are not sufficient words. Amazingly touching and beautiful, Sally. Perfection.
Wendy
Comment Written 10-Jun-2020
reply by the author on 11-Jun-2020
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I was supposed to have this ready a month ago, but because of the emotional content, and my continual breakdowns, we now have this story. This was the most difficult write of my life. I can say now as I read it, that it was so worth it. Not because it garners sixes, but because it is such a wonderful picture of who he really was. He really was a wonderful man and soldier who just happen to be my brother. He openly spoke to us when he came home about things going on in Vietnam. From those memories I was able to craft this story. Thank you for the lovely review and support of my work, Wendy dear. This mean so much to me.
Sending you my best today as always,
Sal xoxoxoxoxoxo
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You are very welcome AND I must say congrats!!!! on your 1st place in book of the month! EXCELLENT!
Wendy
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Thank you, Wendy dear. xoxo
Comment from Sumpta
Oh, what real love and affection can do. Love conquers all. I wish him quick recovery. Also, more strength to Hoa and to his family.
reply by the author on 09-Jun-2020
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Oh, what real love and affection can do. Love conquers all. I wish him quick recovery. Also, more strength to Hoa and to his family.
Comment Written 09-Jun-2020
reply by the author on 09-Jun-2020
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Thank you very much for the kind review and comments. It is so appreciated. Sending my best today as always, Sally xoxo
Comment from Y. M. Roger
Well, once again, heart-touching and beautiful... I even found a tear or two I had misplaced recently.... well-done, Lady Sal! :) Once a soldier, always a soldier... So lucky to have each other!! :) Thanx for sharing a heart-warming smile... :) Yvette
reply by the author on 09-Jun-2020
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Well, once again, heart-touching and beautiful... I even found a tear or two I had misplaced recently.... well-done, Lady Sal! :) Once a soldier, always a soldier... So lucky to have each other!! :) Thanx for sharing a heart-warming smile... :) Yvette
Comment Written 09-Jun-2020
reply by the author on 09-Jun-2020
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Oh my, thank you, Yvette. I am blessed by this and pleased you thought it six star worthy. This was my most emotional and difficult write to date. I know what you mean about the misplaced tears. I think I baptized this with mine. I so appreciate the lovely comments. Sending my best today as always, Sally xoxo
Comment from Loren .
I've been away for a while, but I can see you have really honed your skills and talent for writing true history. This is no easy task and difficult to make it interesting and informational. You are able to tug at the readers heart strings and put them into the "action" at that moment to where it is tangible. I was 4F, so did not have to serve, but I did lead our college campus in Operation Merry Christmas where we were able to send gifts/supplies to our service members overseas. By the way, did you know that 4F originally meant that the recruit did not have his 4 front teeth and therefore could not use a gun powder pouch. I do have my 4 front teeth however :) All the best - Loren
reply by the author on 09-Jun-2020
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I've been away for a while, but I can see you have really honed your skills and talent for writing true history. This is no easy task and difficult to make it interesting and informational. You are able to tug at the readers heart strings and put them into the "action" at that moment to where it is tangible. I was 4F, so did not have to serve, but I did lead our college campus in Operation Merry Christmas where we were able to send gifts/supplies to our service members overseas. By the way, did you know that 4F originally meant that the recruit did not have his 4 front teeth and therefore could not use a gun powder pouch. I do have my 4 front teeth however :) All the best - Loren
Comment Written 08-Jun-2020
reply by the author on 09-Jun-2020
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I think that Civil War Era term is a hoot. Front teeth are important though. Regardless of the reason, God had a plan for you to remain in the fight at home. From what I gather from your writing, he gave you a wonderful wife and family. Many men in this war were abandoned by their wives. My brother was so hurt by his two betrayals. His life was not an easy one by any stretch. Still, it ended better than I could've imagined for him and better than we all thought for the longest time. Thank you for this lovely review and honoring six star shower. It means so much. Sending you and yours my best as always,
Sally xo
