When Heaven and Earth Changed Places

Chapter 5: Losing Love

"It occurs to me that as I show Anh the pictures, my own life is also on parade.  I realize now, as I watch Anh enjoy the son he's never known, how much Anh has truly become my brother-not husband, mot lover-but one part of the wholeness I have always sought in life." (144)  While Le Ly is visiting Anh after not seeing him for many years, she reflects on how he affected her life.  Although he was not her soulmate, he had a huge impact on her life for the better.  Without her getting pregnant with his son, and being kicked out, she would have never moved to America.  Being in America gave her a chance to live a happy life without torture or war taking control of it.  This flashback proves to Le Ly that God has a purpose for everything.  This reminds me of a well known quote by Marilyn Monroe:

"I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they're right, you believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together." - Marilyn Monroe

Le Ly realizes this, and is grateful for being able to know him.  She is not upset that he is not her husband, but thankful to have had the opportunity to meet him because ultimately it gave her a better life that now, many years later, she would not change for the world.