Three weeks before Thanksgiving, my grandfather collapsed from a cerebral hemorrhage. We were fortunate to get him into emergency surgery, but he remains in a coma.
My earliest memories remain in Changwon, Korea, where I lived with my grandparents while my parents finished their final years in medical school. It was in those quiet, formative years that I came to know my grandfather’s love.
He was an outspoken lover—of his grandchildren (I was his favorite), his daily red bean popsicles, his morning hikes, and the instant coffee he’d drink after every meal. Some of his love was simple, steady, and unapologetic. He loved his cigarettes, the worn photos from his time at the company, and the soju he’d sip with sweet pears and strawberries.
Even the most beautiful flowers may wilt and fade, but what we share will remain eternal. This ceramic trophy is my way of keeping his memory alive—a celebration of his many loves, his strength, and the connection we will always hold.
