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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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bluelake
Joined: 01 Dec 2005
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 Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2009 12:32 pm Post subject: |
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| thoreau wrote: |
I can feel this.
While I was in China my sister did so much to look after my parents. I returned to the U.S. and have been doing what I can for the past 3 years. During that time I convinced them to move out of their big house and into a smaller apartment near a park that they just love. Their finances are better organized and their health is a bit improved.
So I'm off to Korea and my sister will again carry the weight on her shoulder. She has 2 kids of her own and I do feel bad about putting more on her. But in the end I have to live my life.
Its really a messy thing in my head. Leaving parents behind who could use your help to go off and live your own life. |
I don't like traveling between the States and Korea, not only because of all the security hoops we have to jump through nowadays, but because, invariably, my dad says, "I really wish you didn't have to go," with very sincere sadness; it breaks my heart. Sometimes I feel a bit guilty that I've lived in Korea for the past two decades. However, we all have our own lives to live.
For several weeks each summer, while staying with my folks, I'm doing things for them all day (and, sometimes, into the night) long. Even though 7/8 of the year it's my sibs who are doing things for them, the 1/8 is, practically, a full-time job for me. I really can't get much of my own stuff done. I have to arrange my own schedule around what my folks need. Don't get me wrong--I'm not complaining. When my folks are gone, I hope I can look back on things and say, "I did my best while I was with them to make them as comfortable as possible". They have been very supportive of me throughout the years, since birth, so it's the least I can do.
Several years ago, while talking with Kim Lynn (those of you who have been in Korea many years might remember her--she's an American who married a Korean years and years ago, speaks fluent Korean, and was the most well-known foreigner on Korean TV for years), she told me things changed after her folks passed away; they had been a magnet that kept her divided between countries. She was very sad at their passing, but felt a kind of freedom after that. I don't look forward at all to the day when my folks are gone, but I imagine I'll feel a bit of what Lynn felt. |
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Tundra_Creature
Joined: 11 Jun 2009
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 6:14 am Post subject: |
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My mom and I have a really good relationship. She was a parent when she needed to be and a friend when she needed to be. Currently, she's still bouncing inbetween both since I'm apparently 'still her baby', despite being out of the house for five years.
She's a great woman though. Very kind and helpful to anyone who deserves it. I know that when I'm out of school and have a real job, I want to really repay her for all the things that she's done.
That being said, we're also find living far from each other and not constantly being around each other. She says it's an excuse for her to travel, plus it prevents us from getting on each other's nerves. |
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