A Small Tribute to Dad (아빠)

I'm putting this post up solely to keep it documented and stored in a space I can access and look back on.

I just received the most heart-wrenching/sweetest e-mail from my dad. Now, this man epitomizes the traditional values of being a Korean male; in other words, he rarely shows emotion. Tough as steel, hard as nails, completely unsentimental. But throughout my two stints in Spain (León and currently Sevilla), he has definitely shown his soft touch and has written the most beautiful letters I've ever received (with his usual witty sense of humor, and in very good English, too). This most recent one, I have to say, trumps them all (sorry .. the good parts are in Korean, for all non-Koreans, haha):

유라,

 

It was for your birthday. 돈 없잖아? 그 정도는 있으니까 Don't worry. 맛 있는거 사먹어.

By the way, you have not mentioned about your living space. Is it good and safe enough?

 

"항상 기뻐하라

 쉬지 말고 기도하라

 범사에 감사하라 이것이 그리스도 예수 안에서 너희를 향하신 하나님의 뜻 이니라" 

This is the song we sang together at the church when you were 4-5 years old.

 

I miss you very much.

...he's pretty much the most awesome person on the planet.