By now it was already an old tradition to get a pack of home-made Popsicle from the small community of neighbors and friends of my adoptive father. Every summer time the old men would gather and make popsicles for me.
They truly loved me. I have such fond memories of growing up in the feeling of community they created. Mayhaps that is why I never really missed Korea. Some of the men of course put more effort in making me feel at home than others, teaching me of their country’s traditions when I was young or even engaging in mine. I still remember when, on my 21’st birthday they threw a very lovely Korean themed party for me.
And while I never fully escaped the teasing and poking of being called their pretty ‘almond blossom’ or, in the years of puberty ‘sour kimchi girl’, at the end of the day I can consider myself grateful to have found such a warm and welcoming extended family.