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So here I am, sitting at my desk writing a story for work... when I get a message from my birth mother. It is the first time she's ever messaged me over Facebook. 
I thought... how in the world do I respond back to her? I am still not exactly sure what she said. I can read Korean, but aside from being able to sound out syllables, it takes me a long time to figure out the word meanings. Google Translate came up with this - Michelle How are you? Jim also itdanda doing well ... always watching you always want to be happy parents better hope. Hmmm. Okay, so I'm guessing she's asking how I'm doing, how my husband is doing, and hoping that my parents are doing well. My response looked like this: 엄마 안녕! 정말 잘하고 있습니다. 내가 당신을 그리워. 짐은 괜찮습니다. 우리는 상자를 많이 풀고 그래서 우리는 집을 샀다. 우리는 당신에게 많이보고 싶어요. 우리는 당신이 미국을 방문하고 우리와 함께 머물 수 있었으면 좋겠어 Which translated to this, according to Google: Hi Mom! Is really good. I miss you. Jim is okay. We unpacking a lot of boxes, so we bought a house. We want to see you a lot. We appreciate your visit to the United States, and wish I could stay with us That is not really what I wrote to be translated. But, I do think that Google Translate is a pretty neat tool, as long as you're not asking for directions or telling someone something deathly important. On this day, it was a nice surprise. What I think is funny - is that the next line from her was something about her not knowing how to use her internet, which sounds pretty familiar if you have a mother ANYWHERE ON THE PLANET. My mom Sharon and I go through this quite often... so clearly, this is universal! 
My mom and my birthmom in SFO
Just another small thing that makes a day unique! And feeling very blessed to have my mom and birthmom in my life.
8 Comments
Michelle
9/10/2013 04:18:32 pm
Thanks Josh for stopping by. :)
Patty Block
9/11/2013 01:53:03 am
When you were a student in my English class years ago, and a dynamic cheerleader on my squad, I knew you were a very special person bound for success. It's a joy seeing how far you have come already. This is why I love the Internet. Anyone can hop on the Internet and spread anger and discontent, but you have chosen to take modern media by storm to enlighten, uplift and encourage. Drive on Michelle!
michelle
9/11/2013 03:41:21 am
Mrs. Breckenridge, one of my favorite and most influential teachers. Thank you so much for your encouragement! It's teachers like you who really do make a difference and teach young people how to shoot for the moon.
Patty Breckenridge
9/11/2013 01:55:58 am
Patty (Block)Breckenridge
Darby Day
9/11/2013 08:25:35 am
I am happy to see you have your birth mom in your life. My wife is Korean and doesn't know her birth mom. Her dad had a mistress and she gave birth to my wife Youngson. Her dad had a wife and two daughters at the time, so she has a step mom and two half sisters and a younger half brother. Unfortunately, she was treated like excess baggage more then a part of the family. As you can imagine how her step mom must have felt. My wife wasn't abused, just ignored, which is just as bad. Her parents were somewhat wealthy but she never benefited from any of that the way her siblings did. Why am I telling you all this? Because I want you to know how blessed you truly are. We are doing fine but often wonder if she will ever meet her real mom. She has never asked her dad about her but sometimes wonders to this day about who she is and what kind of person she is. Take care Michelle, we miss you here in Wilmington. Darby
Michelle
9/11/2013 09:38:08 am
Thanks for your comment, Darby. Your wife sounds like she has a really interesting story, though also heartbreaking. I am very much pleased with the contents you have mentioned. I wanted to thank you for this great article on topic Lost in translation? Google Translate helps an adoptee understand a message from a birthmom. Sort of.. I enjoyed every little bit part of it and I will be waiting for the new updates. Leave a Reply. |
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