My mom, Joyce Alice Henning Allen passed away January 27, 2015.  I have missed her each and every day since then.  There will always be an empty place at my side that belongs to her.  The attached photo was taken in August, 1970 at Ft. Ord, California.  I was in basic training in the United States Army, mom visited me when she could.  When I was stationed in the Republic of South Vietnam, mom would send packages of chocolate chip cookies, my favorite (and as it turned out the favorite of the troopers I served with).

When my daughter Lena was searching for me on her arrival in the US, one of the few clues she had was a photo of Joyce Alice taken in the late Sixties and given by me to Lena’s mom, Huong.

On hearing the news that my Vietnamese daughter and I had been united, no one was more delighted than my mom.  She welcomed Lena as an unquestioned member of the family.  I can never repay her for that kindness.  I love you mom.