Park Family During The Korean War

 PARK FAMILY - Diana's mother's family

My mother was the 2nd child in a family of 7 members (my grandparents had 5 children).  Each of the children had distinct character traits. Kun-eemo (Keyport) was loud and bulsterous, my mom (Helen Kim) the quiet teacher-type and talented musician, Toronto eemo was the 3rd child who embodied beauty and elegance, Samchoon (John Park) was a CPA always joyful and as only male took his headship responsibilities respectfully, then the youngest was San Francisco eemo (Jinsoo Rhee) who was the carefree and silly spirit of the family.  This family immigrated from Korea to the US with in early 1970's.  They grew up in the church, loving Christ and living His joy despite challenges and hardship.  I look at my uncles and aunts and all I see are smiles and laughter...deep rooted pure, joy.

During the Korean War I've only heard two stories.  I'm documenting so that we remember.  When my grandmother shared these experiences with her grandchildren, tears of joy and gratitude poured down her face seeing God's faithfulness through it all.

(1)  Halabojee (grandpa) was a wealthy man.  When the Korean army approached his home, the family hid in the house.  Grandpa stepped outside and explained to the soldiers that he was too ill and unhealthy to serve in the army.  Grandpa went inside the house and grabbed his brother's x-rays of a broken bone as proof of being to unfit to serve.  This was the deciding factor to release or recruit my grandfather.  God's grace was prevalent in that moment as the soldiers returned the x-rays, turned around and left their house.  My grandfather was spared, did not have to leave or be separated from his family. Thanks be to God.

(2)  Also during the Korean War my mother and her family had to escape and travel to cross boundry lines.  In the dark of night, my grandfather and grandmother gathered their 5 young children and belongings and left the house.  They had to travel along the riverside beach to reach a bridge to get to the other side for safety.  14 feet putting one foot in front of the other, trying not to make a sound or be noticed, they finally reach the bridge and the soldier guards asked "where are you coming from?"  My grandfather responds saying, "we came from our home, walked along the riverside beach so we can cross this bridge."  The guard responds, "How?!?!  This beach is covered with land mine explosives!"  "I just told my family to be quiet and pray to God," grandpa replies.  In absolute amazement and thanksgiving, all families members were able to cross the bridge safely knowing God is with them and hears their prayers.  Thanks be to God.

Halmonee & Halabjee

Halmonee's 95th Birthday!

Kim Family During The Korean War

KIM FAMILY - Diana's father's family

 When Steve Sungil Kim (Diana's dad) was 6 years old, the Korean War began.  Steve had an older brother and an older sister, making him the youngest amongst three children.  Jeungjobu (Steve's dad) was captured, separated and taken to prison by the North Korean army for believing in Jesus Christ.  North Korea saw his Christian faith as unacceptable and a threat, that he was taken to Korean prison then moved to a higher-security prison in Russia years later and (unconfirmed) likely died there.

Jeungjo Halmonee (Steve's mom) was left to care for her three children during the war and escape - the burden was too difficult.  Carrying family luggage, journeying with the kids they had to stop, rest and decide how to endure further.  His mother decided to continue on, taking both boys (older son Harry and Steve) because males were the family lineage of descendants.  The daughter was left to the care of Jeungojo Halmonee's mother-in-law with the intention of someday reuniting again.  However, the war had separated the daughter forever as she was raised and currently lives in North Korea.  Nearly 35 years later, in 1989 after a long investigative search, communication and legal clearance process - Jeungo Halmonee was able to reunite with her daughter in China for 1 day.  Eemo's (Steve's sister) personal family, health, even living status is unknown to this day.  Jeungjo Halmonee lived 94 years before dying from dementia on November 12, 2013, leaving her two sons, Harry and Steve Kim, 6 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren behind.  My faithful Halmonee was one who carried much burden and sorrow from family tragedy.  She was often found reading her bible and praying in her basement for hours of the day, which was her source of joy and peace.

2020: Pandemic Hopwoods

2020 was a historical year on many levels.  The CoVID-19 (Coronavirus) worldwide pandemic stopped life as we knew it, in every corner of the globe.  International travel was halted, many businesses closed doors and every public event was cancelled and closed (schools, churches, sporting events, concerts, vacations, holiday celebrations, playgrounds and even birthdays).  Everybody quarantined in their home, while many lost jobs, healthcare employees working around the clock 24-7, technology companies thrived, and porch delivery services excelled (for some restaurants, grocers, and retailers).  

THE GOAL: stop/slow the spread of a deadly contagious virus. 

While we experience a global health crisis, the USA made history.  Politics was a great contributor to a divided nation during President Donald Trump's administration, unfortunately during a time when unity was needed most.  Lawmaker's response to CoVID-19 varied which added another level of disunity (some states/cities follow scientific guidelines of wearing face masks and socially distance 6 feet, while others did not).  The death of George Floyd had reignited the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement which highlighted our country's history of perpetual and systemic racial failures.  In November, America was watching the presidential election race closely when President-elect Joe Biden and Madam Vice President-elect Kamala Harris (first female, first Black, first South Asian in office) made history, declaring victory over current President Donald Trump.

For the Hopwoods, we hunkered down and thankfully have each other.  Diana snagged up face masks, hand sanitizers, all-purpose cleaners and toilet paper while reminding the kids to wash their hands frequently.  Alex opened his laptop from home everyday, and thankfully Expedia secured funding early in the recession.  The kids quickly got familiar with their iPads, Chromebooks, and software programs like Seesaw and Zoom.  When schools closed their doors on March 16, 2020 some teachers describe spring 2020 as "crisis learning", not knowing when education would resume in-building again. In lieu of traditional school, we had fun with minute-to-win-it games, balloon racquetball, obstacle courses and learning new life skills (right vs. left, counting coins, wearing face masks properly and folding laundry to name a few).  In September 2020, the boys transitioned to "fully remote online learning" and we organized a room from storage to school-office.  1.5 hours of live Zoom instruction, lunch, then an additional 30 minutes of Specialists Zoom meeting in the afternoon (with teachers who showed-up and conquered daily). Despite having to cancel a California & Korea vacation and simultaneously watching Expedia stock decline, we're thankful Alex continues to holds his position and family camping in Mt.Rainier and Camano Island were acceptable vacation alternatives.  The boys pass the time by playing video games like Minecraft, following professional football games and learning how to fish.  In addition to helping Diana around the house, Naomi learned to ride a bike, began to read and engaged in circle-time preschool via Zoom (2x/week).

With a simplified lifestyle, we're thankful to cling to the utmost priorities of life: faith, family, and love.  In FAITH we believe that God is at work, resetting many hearts to what's important, and know that the pandemic will resolve at the right time.  FAMILY is the only people who we can tolerate our isolated behaviors, emotions and vulnerabilities with grace, compassion and laughter. Busy activity schedules are substituted with more playful games and movie nights together. Work, school, church, meals all together all at home, all the time.  LOVE is what empowers us - "we love because He first loves us" (1 John 4:19).  Love to family, friend, colleague/teacher, marginalized & oppressed (underprivileged), even the tired & weary (essential workers and emotionally depressed).  In our conviction to love others - we wear face masks and obey health guidelines because "wearing is caring".  Alex regularly donated groceries to non-profit organizations, and Diana became responsible for the school's Care Closet of delivering food, household essentials and school supplies to low-income families every week.  Blessed to be a blessing!

 

2020-2021 milestones included:

• Jeungjo Halmonee's (great-grandmother's) 95th birthday
• Halmonee's (Diana's mother's) 70th birthday
• James family 20th wedding anniversary
• Diana's 40th birthday
• Sold the Mount Baker, Seattle house (which we owned for 14 years).  

With heavy hearts we honor and remember: 

• Paul Nelson, 63 (Alex's uncle, passed in October 2020)
• Barb Trevino, 71 (Alex's aunt, passed in December 2020)
• 441,000+ other Americans who have died from CoVID-19 
• 2 million+ souls worldwide from CoVID-19