Adaptation

My father grew up in South Korea in a time when life was a constant struggle for his family. They didn’t have much money at all, which meant they had to be extremely careful with every single cent they earned. There were no luxuries or extra toys; they could only afford the absolute necessities like putting food on the dinner table and making sure the children could go to school. Because things were so tough, they had to learn how to adapt quickly to survive. They decided to work harder than ever by expanding their farm, farming harder,   and starting to raise cows.

The way they did it was a long and repetitive process. First, they would go to the local market and buy young cattle. Then, they brought them home and dedicated all their time to taking care of them. My father and his family provided everything the animals needed, including plenty of food, sturdy shelter, and fresh water every single day. Once the cows were fully grown and healthy, they would take them back to the market and sell them for much more money than they originally paid. They took that profit and did the whole thing over and over again to build up their savings.

The hardest part of this life was the transition between the seasons. During the autumn, they felt a lot of pressure because they knew winter was coming. When the snow started to fall, it would ruin all the grass in the fields, leaving the cows with nothing to eat. To prepare, they had to work double time to stock up on huge piles of grass. During the coldest months, they almost lived like hibernating animals, staying inside and waiting for the harsh weather to pass so they could work the land again.

Whenever my father felt tired, he would look up at the blue sky. Seeing planes flying high above gave him a lot of hope. He used to wish so hard that he could be on one of those planes too. He didn’t just want to fly; he wanted to see the world, meet all kinds of new people, and eventually become a successful businessman in a big city.

Now, that dream is his reality. He is a successful businessman, and my dad, mom, sister, and I have all found our new home together in Singapore. We don’t have to struggle for the basics anymore, but I am still very grateful. It is amazing how much the hard work and changes from his past can still impact our lives today.

My father says ‘when you farm diligently you get more money and you can help’