#stepson — Public Fediverse posts

American Expat Stays Devoted to Wife Through Life’s Trials

By WPS News Staff Writers

Da Nang, Vietnam – July 15, 2026

Nestled in a tranquil coastal city far from the clamor of the United States, an American expatriate has woven a life of love, loyalty, and quiet strength. Michael (name changed for privacy), 58, sits in his simple home with a view of the South China Sea, sharing a story that redefines devotion and home. To protect the privacy of those involved, all names and specific locations have been altered.

Michael and his wife, Thuy, share a bond that shines through life’s hardships. “She’s my soul,” Michael says, his voice warm but steady. “No one’s ever meant more to me. She fills my days with her heart, and I try to give her everything in return.” Their love, built across cultural and linguistic gaps, is a powerful reminder of what connection can endure. Yet, their story carries a heavy weight: Thuy battles breast cancer, a disease that affects one in thirteen women, with a survival rate of about 40%. Michael, who has seen cancer’s toll before, faces this reality with unflinching clarity. “She won’t outlast it forever,” he says, gazing at the sea. “But we have time, and I’m making every moment matter.”

Their life in Vietnam is no accident—it’s a choice Michael embraces fully. “The USA? It’s a faint memory now,” he says. “This is my home. My dog’s here, my stepson’s here. I’m staying put.” His stepson, 16-year-old Nam (name changed for privacy), is a reserved presence in their home. Cultural and language differences have kept them from being as close as Michael might wish, but his commitment is unwavering. “He’s my son,” he says plainly. “That’s all that matters.”

Michael’s resolve to stay in Vietnam is rooted in love and duty, even as he reflects on those who choose differently. “We all know the stories,” he says, “men who leave their wives in tough times because they’re not getting what they need, chasing someone else to carry the load.” The double entendre is intentional, a nod to the emotional and physical burdens of caregiving. “It’s a real issue,” Michael continues. “But if you love her—truly love her—you stay. You stay loyal, you stay faithful, and you honor her to the end. That’s what love demands.”

The friends Michael left in the States are a distant ache. “I miss them,” he admits, “but they’re there, and I’m here. That’s the truth I live with.” When Thuy’s fight with cancer ends, as Michael knows it will, he plans to stay. “I’ll rest beside her when my time comes,” he says, his tone resolute. “This is where I belong.”

Michael is certain there will be no one else. “She’s my one,” he says. “True love doesn’t come again. Even if this disease steals her too soon, I’m thankful I found her.”

As evening falls over Da Nang, Michael walks his dog along the shore, a daily ritual that keeps him grounded. He speaks of Thuy’s resilience, her stubborn light in the face of illness, and the life they’ve shaped together. For Michael, the future is here—in Thuy’s smile, Nam’s quiet presence, and the steady companionship of his dog. The United States may fade to a curiosity, but this corner of Vietnam, where love and loyalty endure, is his forever home.

Note: All names and specific locations have been changed to protect the privacy of the individuals involved.

Popular #Atlanta #Megachurch #Pastor Charged for Beating His Stepson With…What??

An #associatepastor at Atlanta’s #2819Church was reportedly suspended after he was arrested for doing the unthinkable to his 15-year-old #stepson.

The 15-year-old, who had received an in-school suspension, alleged, “My dad called himself disciplining me” with an extension cord. The Independent identified the boy’s stepfather as #KennethMcFarland, an associate pastor at 2819 #Church.

https://www.theroot.com/popular-atlanta-megachurch-pastor-charged-for-beating-h-2000075361

A friend of Kimberly Sullivan, a Connecticut woman accused of keeping her stepson a prisoner in their home for decades, will testify in court that Sullivan never mentioned having a stepson in the 21 years she’s known her. Read more from @NBCNews
https://flip.it/SmNesf
#Connecticut #KimberlySullivan #Stepson #Trial #Crime

It is Going to Snow

We had plans to go to Vermont My step son celebrated his birthday on Tuesday and we were going to go see him for a slightly belated birthday lunch.

That was before the winter storm warning was announced and the forecast started calling for maybe 10 inches of snow.

Eight days ago we were in Florida and it was 88 degrees out.

Winter sucks.

#birthday #collegeKids #Family #forecast #Snow #StepKids #stepSon #Weather #winter

Holiday Traffic

Word on the street (pun intended) is that traffic is really crappy tonight. I still have almost two hours to go before I finish work and go out to brave the roads, but I am not looking forward to it.

What I am looking forward to is seeing my step son tonight. He’ll probably be getting to the house while I’m stuck in traffic. All the more reason to be happy about the commute situation (yes, that was meant to be very sarcastic).

I really want to go home now. One hour and 47 minutes to go.

While we wait, here are two pictures I took while putting gas into the car this morning… because that’s related to the overall topic, right?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/robj_1971/54214542838/in/dateposted/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/robj_1971/54214710855/in/photostream/

#adultKids #canIBeAPhotographyYoutberNow #collegeKids #commute #emptyNest #eveningCommute #Family #gasStation #grownKids #iphoneography #photography #stepSon #traffic #trafficJam

I’m a #queer #mom with #cis #stepkids & I’m #fighting for #trans #equality. It’s hard.

I listened to a #trans #girl who would be #forced to #quit #soccer before #celebrating my #stepson's #soccer #season.

#Women #Transgender #LGBTQ #LGBTQIA #Parents #Allies #Entertainment #Sports #Representation #Culture #Conservatives #Extremism #Fascism #Religion #RepublicanParty #Hate #Bigotry #Violence #Genocide #Discrimination #Transphobia #ThePartyOfHate #EmptyThePews

https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2024/08/im-a-queer-mom-with-cis-stepkids-im-fighting-for-trans-equality-its-hard/

I think my step son Harry loves both of our cats very much, but if I am being honest, I think Robin is his favorite. I also think that Robin knows this, and I think that Harry is Robin’s favorite human. They are best buds, really.

As I have mentioned a few thousand times on this little journal of silliness, my work from home office space is currently situated in Harry’s room. When he moved to Burlington he took most of his furniture with him, including his bed. In it’s place, Jen and I bought a day bed that can double as a couch when Harry isn’t home with us, and a bed when he is.

Earlier today, while I was working, I turned around for a second and found this view of Robin sleeping on the day bed.

I sent it to the family group text and said I think this means that Robin misses Harry. I think that is clear.

https://robertjames1971.blog/2024/07/02/harrys-cat/

#Cat #collegeKid #Family #harry #iphoneography #Kitty #photography #robin #StepKids #stepSon

My step son’s plane landed a little over an hour ago. My wife went to the airport to pick him up and they are on their way home now.

Another happy landing! The plane is on the ground, safe and sound. Welcome back to Earth, Harry!

https://robertjames1971.blog/2024/03/15/on-the-ground/

#Travel #Family #StepKids #Kids #stepSon #fly #harry #collegeKids #airTravel #flight #springBreak #transAtlanticFlight

The cats don’t tend to visit me while I am working, but for some reason they did today. Maybe they know I am in my step son’s bed room and he’s flying home from the UK today. He is currently in the air, on his way to London to grab a connecting flight to Boston. Can the cats sense that?

Anyway, I took some pic because that’s what I do.

Lily promised me she wasn’t the one who messes with the plant clipping I wrote about yesterday.

Yeah, whatever you say, feline. Whatever you say.

https://robertjames1971.blog/2024/03/15/morning-cats-4/

#365 #365Challenge #airTravel #Cat #flights #flying #harry #internationalFlights #iphoneography #Kids #Kitty #lily #photoADay #photoADayChallenge #photography #robin #StepKids #stepSon #Travel

Tomorrow afternoon my step son and I are going to a hockey game. It’s my first hockey game in person since… 2016? 2018? I can’t remember. It’s my first NCAA hockey game since 2004.

I graduated from UMass Lowell. My step son currently attends the University of Vermont. Both teams are in the Hockey East conference and… well… both teams kinda suck. UVM is in 8th place (out of 11 teams) with a 3-3-1 record in conference and a 4-5-1 record overall. UML is in 10th place with a 2-6-1 record in conference and a 5-9-1 record overall.

I expect the game is going to be evenly-ish matched but also kinda crappy. I don’t care. I’m looking forward to spending an afternoon with Harry, probably trash talking each other into oblivion. I tried to get myself a UML hockey t-shirt to wear but I failed. Oh well. The Vermont fans in the building will know that they have a foreigner in their rink by me being obnoxious. I used to be a pretty obnoxious fan back in my minor league season ticket days.

It’s going to be fun.

https://robertjames1971.blog/2023/12/02/uml-at-uvm/

#collegeHockey #collegeKids #Family #harry #Hockey #hockeyEast #Kids #ncaa #roadTrip #stepSon #umassLowell #uml #universityOfMassachusettsLowell #universityOfVermont #UVM #vermont