In the beginning

"Let's start at the very beginning, a very good place to start".  35 years ago today, I departed Korea as a 5 month old baby along with a plane load of children on our way to meet our adoptive parents.  It is pretty incredible to return here on that anniversary.  My mom says, "we may not have brought you into the world in a hospital and our lives together began at JFK airport, but as soon as you were placed into our arms, we loved you and you were our daughter".  And so, on this date, my life with my forever family began.     

Photo when I left Korea

There is more to my beginning.  The part before my adoption.  I was found abandoned on the street on November 14, 1974.  I was guesstimated to be 3-5 days old.  There was no note, I had no name, nothing but me, myself and I.  I was taken to the Youngdeungpo police station and then to HOLT adoption agency.  I spent the next 5 months in foster care with a 61 year old foster mother and her daughter until I was adopted to the US.

Photo when I was found

I have returned to Korea to take part in some pretty amazing opportunities: to live, work, teach, study and search for my birth family.  The decision did not come easily.  It was a choice which would result in sacrifices for my family and children.  On the other side, there was a lifelong emptiness and curiosity regarding my identity which needed to be acknowledged.  I know in my heart that being here at this moment is where I am meant to be.  Oscar Wilde said, "The aim of life is self-development.  To realize one's nature perfectly - that is what each of us is here for".  I accept that this is part of my life's journey and I am filled with gratitude.