Empathy

Today after some acupuncture treatment for my mom’s ankle and my aching lower back, we took a Kakao Taxi to Bundang (분당) cemetery. We were returning to visit with the 4th family and the anniversary of my 4th uncle’s passing. He passed just shy of 2 weeks after my dad, but was about 10 years younger. It came as a shock and for my dad’s siblings to lose 2 in such a short time.

Although Justin has seen him, I hadn’t seen my cousin, Yeonwoo (연우) since 2006. Here’s a photo of us with my 4th aunt with my cousin’s kids, Hyunjae (현재) and Hyunjo (현조):



Then just our generation with our cousin’s wife:



Then our moms:



My 4th uncle was kind and witty and always very warm. He loved to hike:



Here’s an old school photo when my uncle visited us in New York:



We spent a lot of time with the 4th family during the summers, often eating at one of my uncle’s favorite restaurants in the once tallest building in Korea - 63 Building, named after its number of stories:







Here’s an old school photo of just us kids - my cousin Yeonwook (연욱) and Yoonjoo (윤주) couldn’t join:



After lunch and coffees, we did a rendezvous and as planned, met with my mom’s 4th family who coincidentally lives in the same neighborhood. Our beloved cousin Taesoon (태순) hosted us at a Korean restaurant called Four Seasons:



We returned to our uncle’s and enjoyed desserts including these delicious chocolate bars and for fun, an old school photo:





Taesoon (태순) drove us back to the hotel where we had another rendezvous drinking beers and whiskey highballs, sharing the love and feeling refreshed. There was empathy all around. Special thanks to Taesoon (태순) for being an amazing cousin and coordinating everything.