Thoughts from MySeoul

Beginning life in Seoul, South Korea, put up for adoption directly after birth, and waking up to a white family in America all before the age of one has shaped my entire life to feel “out of place.” Both physically and mentally, the American atmosphere I exist in seems different from me. Besides the fact I recall no memories from Korea, I have always geographically known where I originated from, but not culturally or biologically. The internal pain of never experiencing the feeling of simply looking into my parent’s eyes, or having any contact whatsoever, drives my mind in circles. My personal thought process leads me to this idea: when a child and a parent are in the same presence, in that moment in time, a shared connection flows between them. Never experiencing this connection or moment shapes my vision of what is “feeling in place.” Determined by my origin, as life progresses, I begin to think the scurrying unknowns and conflicting emotions circling inside creates the foundation of my outlook on life.

Every single person that exists on earth today biologically has a mom and dad. I believe many people nowadays don’t realize how truly blessed they really are. For the majority of the population in America, growing up within a family is a given. With my situation of never coming in contact with my parents, it bothers me how so many people take family for granted. For example, I hate when my friends argue and fight with their mom and dad about petty stuff. While they go back and forth bickering with each other, I just sit there and think to myself, “this isn’t even worth arguing about and you should just appreciate what you have.” Yeah, I know conflict happens, but sometimes I wish people would just pause, take a minute, and cherish the simple act of looking into your parent’s eyes. I think today’s generation needs to come to a realization and take into the account the simple God-given pieces of life they are blessed with.