Character Analysis
Jeanine Hilt just might be our favorite person in The Spirit Catches You. Unlike her fellow Americans (Dee not included, obvs), this social worker falls in love with Lia and her family, making their plight her personal crusade. For their part, the Lees respond by doing something even more powerful—making Jeanine a part of the family.
It's funny to think that Jeanine only meets the Lees because she's the social worker assigned to Lia's case. Normally, this would make her the bane of Nao Kao and Foua's existence, but Jeanine manages to prove her dedication to Lia's cause so that before long, Jeanine is a fixture at the Lee household, spending every waking hour on Lia's case.
While this might seem like a selfless act, Jeannine is getting something in return—a family. As it happens, she needs one right now, as her "relations with her own family [...] had been strained [...] since they had learned she lived with a lesbian partner" (9.16). Now that she's met a family who accepts her for who she is, however, Jeanine won't be letting go anytime soon. What's more, her own struggles likely make her more empathetic to the Lees' plight.
Then—out of nowhere—Jeanine dies. Of an asthma attack (well, its complications). At Disneyland. Could it get any more heartbreaking?
This is a shocking blow to us readers, but it's even worse for Foua: she feels like she's "lost [her] American daughter" (17.4). Think about that for a second. Despite the fact that they've only known each other for a few years—and can't even speak the same language—Foua considers Jeanine to be a daughter. If that doesn't show you the power of family, then we don't know what will.