I was born in 1944 in what is now South Korea, the year after Korea
regained independence from Japan. I was six when the Korean War began.
Our small farmhouse was just south of what is now the demilitarized zone.
Troops from both sides traveled up and down our farm road. When winter
came, we were ordered to leave, and my family and I walked for weeks in
rice straw shoes to reach safety further south. Nothing was left when we
finally got to return to our home. I left Korea for the US in 1967. I helped my
mother, father, younger brother, and younger sister get resettled here, too.
I raised my only son mostly as a single mother. Now at 77, having been my
own boss for all these years, I get to enjoy playing some golf, hunting for
wild mushrooms and water aerobics. I will be moving to Las Vegas soon, to
live near my son. I don’t feel as old as I am, although my body sometimes
reminds me. I count my blessings every day.
