With only three hours till I was expected to be pulling up to my brother's mother-in-law's house for the much anticipated big Thanksgiving dinner party, I dropped a bomb on my dad. As many people have already asked about, assumed and commented about things regarding Korea are complicated. Today my phone conversation with my father revealed the details of such complications involving Korea and I knew it would be hard for him to hear and it definitely was. He ended up getting very emotional, as did I, while talking about it. He then brought up a lot of things regarding his own life growing up and his relationship with my mom. He got all choked up as he talked about how much he loves her, loves me and how much wants me to be as happy.
I am happy but things are missing.
Our teary-eyed conversation ended with me apologising for making him upset and not being able to tell him this in person. He responded by letting me know I can talk to him about everything and anything, telling me that he just wants me to be happy and reminding me that he loves me so much.
A few hours later I showed up for Thanksgiving dinner.
I arrived and was greeted by my dad, my three gorgeous little nieces, and a house full of in-laws. Hugs for all and hugs from everyone; it was nice. I was finally in Canada, celebrating my absolute favourite of favourite holidays and I was happy. There was a massive turkey in the oven, a kitchen table all decorated for a big family feast, kids running around the house, sports playing on the TV, festival fall decorations around the house, men chatting and women giggling -- it just felt like one of those Hallmark picture perfect moments and after 11 years of not being able to share one of these moments it was perfect. I found myself sitting there, watching everyone interact and just taking in the sights, the sounds, the smells... the fuzzy feelings of it.
The festivities ended with me giving everyone in the room a hug and then driving off as my brother, my father, my nieces, and some of my in-laws stood in the evening chill on the front porch, waving me off. Two jars of pickled beats my nieces had grown and prepared for me with my brother sat in the back seat, a plate full of turkey with all the fixings and one warm bowl of sweet apple crumble sat in my tummy, and a big smile sat on my face.
I had celebrated Thanksgiving with my family and it was so incredibly beautiful.
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