FB Connect | Sign In | Create Account

what’s your intent today?

print | Send to a Friend | Bookmark and Share

Euna Lee

Posted Mon, 07/13/2009 - 20:25
Tags:
I wanted to share a story about Euna Lee, who along with Laura Ling, has been held in N. Korea for 4 months.  As a mother, the story has been haunting me since I heard it.   It haunts me because I can totally relate to Euna's actions.
 
Several weeks ago, we had Euna’s husband, Michael, over for dinner.  I have never met Euna, and it was the first time I met Michael.  Because of my brother’s close friendship with Laura Ling, it seemed natural to connect with Euna’s family, as well.
 
Michael is wonderful – vivacious, smart, funny.  It was the first day, since this ordeal started, that he had left their 4 year old daughter, Hana.  She was spending a night with his father.  It was also the first time– at that time, the girls had been in captivity for about 3 months – that he was alone and could process his feelings.  As other parents will relate, we often put aside our own emotions to focus on our children’s emotions. 
 
Michael chuckled as he told us about an urgent message he had received from Euna. 
 
Euna had asked her guards if she could pass her message onto the Swedish Ambassador, who has been the girls only source of contact and information.  (The Swedish ambassador has met Laura and Euna - separately - only 4 times in their 4 months of captivity.  The girls are not being held together.) 
 
She was granted permission by the N. Korean officials. 
 
The Swedish Ambassador then passed on the message to the US State Department, who then contacted Michael.
 
Euna wanted to make sure that Michael had sent in the registration form for Hana for summer school. Euna had chosen the Korean immersion school for her daughter, but was scared her husband would forget to send in the form! 
 
Hearing this story brought tears to my eyes.  Sitting in captivity half way around the world, a mom is still a mom. Coordinating schedules, thinking about what’s best for your child, and worrying that your husband will forget something!
 
As a fellow mom, I am asking all the moms out there to pass on this story and take action by signing this online petition. The US government, through Hillary Clinton, has formally asked for amnesty and it is important we show public support.  You can learn more about Laura and Euna at www.lauraandeuna.com.
 
In two weeks, Michael and Hana are joining my family for a trip to Disneyland to celebrate my daughters 5 year old birthday.  Secretly, I am hoping they don’t show up.  I am praying that instead Hana will be cuddling and reuniting with her mom.
 
What can you do to help?

 

Related Articles:

 

Comments (16)
yumi's picture
Posted by Yumi Sakugawa on Monday, July 13th, 2009
That is truly a beautiful story, Mallika. What an amazing display of a mother's selfless spirit. I, too, hope Euna can be reunited with her little daughter very very soon..
Eunice Kim's picture
Posted by Eunice Kim on Monday, July 13th, 2009
Mallika, Thank you for sharing this story. What a beautiful picture of a mother's steadfast and selfless heart... of all the emotions and thoughts that could be consuming her right now... And, thank you for all you are doing in support of these two sisters!
aurora's picture
Posted by Aurora Carlson on Tuesday, July 14th, 2009
Bless your heart, Mallika. Don't worry, her love for her family is keeping her well, and she'll be out soon. She will have healed a huge wound in this process, for the good of not only herself and her daughter, but for so many more. I guess both Euna and Laura have always wanted to contribute to a better world, and wow... they are indeed doing just that. If you meet Hannah again, I hope you will tell her what a great lady her mother is.
mydomainpvt's picture
Posted by Sharmishtha Basu on Tuesday, July 14th, 2009
dearest mallika, You are a friend and human being to be cherished with all heart. last night i read something about their being released, i am keeping my fingers crossed that the north korean government releases them. god bless your noble, sweet heart. my whole hearted prayers are for them and all innocent people who are perishing in prisons without reason. i will be happy to see atleast two of them released. Wish you love, peace and happiness. Trisha
Tonez's picture
Posted by Toni Lee Stephan on Tuesday, July 14th, 2009
I have signed the petition and encouraged people in my address book to do the same. I will also put a note on my own web site as well as FB pages. I have retweeted a few times and will again until we get much more support - a million signatures should NOT be so hard to get! Positively thinking/hoping/believing that they will be released soon... Love Toni
observer's picture
Posted by Ed Howes on Tuesday, July 14th, 2009
Thank You Mallika, For your inspirational story and the provided links. I just became a fan at Facebook. Let us daily increase in: wisdom, love, gratitude, reverence, healing, peace, joy, happiness, laughter and prosperity. Blessings X 10, Ed
Spelunker's picture
Posted by Spelunker on Tuesday, July 14th, 2009
Well, this story demonstrates that even in North Korea's tyrannical government there are at least a couple of folks with a heart; the guard who took Euna's message and the official who approved of passing it on to Mats Foyer (Sweden's ambassador in Pyongyang). Euna has the advantage of being able to speak the Korean guard's native language. One wonders if Laura Ling, who is being held separately, would have a guard who understands English. Perhaps in order for Laura to convey a similar urgent message to her husband Iain Clayton, ("...don' t forget to register for the Yoga Retreat Sept. 17-20...") she would have to wait for somebody to bring an English-Korean dictionary to the scene. Michael's story is indeed encouraging, showing that there is an ounce of humanitarianism in the blood of Euna's captors. Let's pray that the next urgent message from Euna to her husband is on the verge of an impending release: "I'm going to Disneyland!"
royally_chic's picture
Posted by Tera Taylor-Green on Tuesday, July 14th, 2009
What a heartfelt picture you painted of Michael's reminder to send off little Hanna's summer school registration. A mother's work is never done and Euna lives up to the challenge beautifully. I just can't find any reason to complain about the demands of being so many things to so many people. After learning that Euna is fighting so hard to put her suffering aside in the interest of keeping her child first and making sure business is handled as usual. When Hanna is old enough to understand I hope she appreciates what a brave Mother she has.... I have already signed the petition, but I think I speak for the entire Intent community when I say that we sincerely appreciate you, Mallika for keeping us up to date on Laura Ling and Euna Lee..... I know these two women feel the frequency of Forgiveness, Love and Support from all over the world.... Tera "Turning myself inside out in pursuit of Divinity"
organicspaces's picture
Posted by Renay Matthews on Tuesday, July 14th, 2009
I have signed the petition. I am glad she is able to pass information to her husband. This actually brought some relief to me as I did not know how she was being treated. If she can do this, I know she is at least okay. I see them both stepping off the plane, in America, reunited with their families. Renay X
Posted by Arun Raghuwanshi on Wednesday, July 15th, 2009
Dear Malika thanks!for letting involved in this good cause! With best wishes! @run
Simon Hay's picture
Posted by Simon Hay on Friday, July 17th, 2009
Hi Mallika, As a healer I believe, to change the world, we must first heal mothers. I see too many women with low self esteem, addictive and harmful behaviours, and often trapped in abusive relationships. They are not responsible, we all are, and the world community needs to be more active in protecting, and honouring mothers and children. I will link this story to my other blogs, and encourage all my friends to sign the petition. Thank you for welcoming me to the intent community. Smon.
Skinhead22's picture
Posted by Skinhead22 on Thursday, August 5th, 2010

What a awesome 6 hour, thankyou to Dave and all the crew at Roudtuit Caravan park for all the work that went to running this event, well worth marking in the dairy for next yearZayıflama Lida Fx15 ve Biber Hapı zlfvbh burmeh yaza lida fx15 biber hapı ile formda girin burmeh yaza lida fx15 biber hapı ile formda girin Trakya Üniversitesi tabiii en önemliside bize baya bi para getirecek. his family and particularly the children he had artificially created will be happier and far better off without him, not to mention wealthier. Remember and play his music if you want..it was pretty good but don't for get what an absolute failure as man he was. He dies a whiny drug addicted loser.. Save your sorrow for someone worthy

weiqi's picture
Posted by weiqi on Thursday, August 12th, 2010

Well done, I admire the valuable information you offer in your articles. I will bookmark your blog and have my children check up here often. I am quite sure they will learn lots of new stuff here than anybody elsepower strip |extension cord |trouble light

weiqi's picture
Posted by weiqi on Thursday, August 12th, 2010

I quite agree with you，and I have some information for your reference, I believe that you will love it.: The wealth to give to others, the hope to oneself, she will bring my endless wealth; I didn't go to the mountain, and I will go to it; Lions led the flock of sheep led by fighting far overcome the lion; A personal decision lies not in the mood of the environment, and in his mind; The lack of strength, rather than is perseverance; Man can survive, when he has the substance, People have the ideal, just talk to lifebooster cables |battery clip |battery clip|ratchet tie dowm

keral745's picture
Posted by keral745 on Monday, August 23rd, 2010

I read your post and I found it amazing .Your thought process is wonderful. The way you express yourself is awesome. Industrial Power Equipment | Commercial Vessels

keral745's picture
Posted by keral745 on Monday, August 23rd, 2010

This is a great blog posting and very useful. I really appreciate the research you put into it...

Residential Heating | Honeywell Humidifiers | Aprilaire Humidifiers | Lennox Humidifiers