Heather: Tuu Maia Lou Lima Give Me Your Hand by Steven A. Yagyagan
What’s it About?
A heart-wrenching and yet a heartwarming story of a young Sāmoan-Scottish girl and how she endured and survived 60 years of abuse.
Steven A. Yagyagan’s latest novel,Heather: Tuu Maia Lou Lima Give Me Your Hand, is an imaginative retelling of the real story of Heather Tauvela, a woman who overcame tremendous hardship and trauma to build a new life for herself and her children. When Heather asked Yagyagan to share her story, he agreed, with the hope that it would motivate readers to help others like Heather.
As a woman born of half-Sāmoan, half-Scottish heritage in the late 1950s, Heather not only faced discrimination as an afakasi (Sāmoan for “half-caste”) but also suffered neglect and abuse at the hands of her own family.
Overcoming a Lifetime of Darkness
Heather’s upbringing was anything but easy. Born to an unwed teenager, Heather was raised by her Scottish father and his Sāmoan wife for the first few years. There, she experienced neglect and abuse from an early age, and things didn’t get much better when Heather’s birth mother finally took her home.
Suffering under the hand of her own mother, Heather found solace in the arms of her older stepbrother, Rudy. But when Rudy is taken from her, Heather is left alone and unable to fight the verbal and physical abuse her mother lashes out at her. The presence of her younger half-siblings brings her some semblance of comfort, along with her strong Christian faith.
But Heather’s hardships continue to pile on, not just at her mother’s hand. She experiences multiple assaults at the hands of male relatives, causing irreparable emotional and physical scarring. On multiple occasions as a teenager and adult, Heather contemplates suicide when faced with the trauma of her past.
Yet Heather was able to find joy in her life through her siblings and eventually her children, and realized life is worth living. Despite all her hardships and traumas, Heather remains a bright beacon of faith, hope and forgiveness to all who know her.
Glimpse Into Sāmoan History, Customs and Culture
Heather is a poignant story full of countless heartbreaking moments, but ultimately resolving in a happy ending.
Before Heather’s birth and tales of hardship, we are told the story of her Sāmoan mother and grandparents. Their stories not only establish the framework of Heather’s home life, but also showcase vivid portrayals of Sāmoan history, customs and culture.
Yagyagan’s inclusion of the native Sāmoan, Hawaiian and Filipino languages add an extra layer of depth and meaning to the story. One particularly unique aspect of this book is the inclusion of short Sāmoan poems at the end of each chapter. These are meant to summarize some of the themes expressed throughout the chapter, reinforcing the important messages of hope, strength, love and perseverance showcased through Heather’s determination to overcome her traumatic past.
Through Heather’s life, readers glimpse the strength to survive any hardship. But perhaps the most profound lesson Heather passed on was her message on forgiveness and how it played a role later in her life: “By forgiving them, I’m releasing their hold on me, and I am choosing to live a better life.”
Her story reminds victims of abuse and sympathetic readers that there is still a chance for a better and happier life free from their past. Yagyagan shares information and resources at the back of the book for anyone interested in learning more about the realities of domestic abuse and how they can help.
Allow Heather to take your hand (or as she might say: tuu maia lou lima) and witness a story of strength, courage and hope in the face of life’s darkest moments.
About the Author:
Steven A. Yagyagan has authored seven books. He loves writing about the human spirit (triumph and tribulation). He wants to challenge himself and tackle other genres as well. He has been writing since he was thirteen years old. His first book, Haikus For Life, was published in April 2013. For his new book, he has chosen a very wise and informative topic of child abuse, which is becoming very common nowadays. Steven wanted to give his readers hope and inspiration and deliver something that benefits society. His motto is to touch people’s hearts; he writes his book for his audience, not to please other authors or to make a big name in society.
Publish Date: 4/14/2023
Genre: Biography, Nonfiction
Author: Steven A. Yagyagan
Page Count: 337 pages
ISBN: 9798391240877
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