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Lessons My Mother Taught Me

Isn't it funny how you resist and even resent your parents growing up, and only when you become an adult — and more so, when you become a parent yourself — that you realize how wonderful they are? Many of my readers may already be aware that Korea has deep roots in Buddhism. When I was still living in my native country in the early 1980s, it was not unusual for Buddhist monks to go around to neighboring houses to chant prayers, and ask for donations — in the form of money or rice — in return. (image source) My mother raised my sister and I in the Christian Church, so I have been a Christian for as long as I can remember. Because...

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September 11, 2011

Today I woke up and remembered how a decade ago, I saw smoke rising from lower Manhattan as I drove along the New Jersey Turnpike. I remembered how I, along with other drivers, stopped our cars and turned our radios on full blast while we stared in horror at another plane crashing into the second tower. I had been on my way into Manhattan at that moment. I had been on my way to Chinatown, which meant that I would have passed Ground Zero on the way to my destination. For once I could not feel more relieved that I had been running late. Needless to say I did not make it into New York City that morning. But I will never forget...

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