Top of the Mountain

As a Korean American, I value my time with my Korean grandmother who lives about 7,327 miles from me. My grandmother is the most courageous and resilient person I have ever met. As she tells me stories from her starting her own flower shop, I always admired her and her experiences. One time, when I visited South Korea, I was bored at her house. To my surprise, my grandmother suggested that we climb a mountain. So, my brother, my grandmother, and I began our long journey up the mountain. As she began telling me her inspiring stories, she recalled her life when she was my age. At seventeen, she walked five miles to go to school every day. When she became older, flowers fascinated her, and she decided to start her own shop.

As I listened to her explain her life, her entrepreneur mindset was so enthralling. Then, when we were halfway up the mountain, I wanted to go back down, but she insisted to keep leaving. "Do not give up", she explained. As she continued explaining her story, she discussed how she had fallen in love with flowers. She described how the scent of flowers had always made her smile and was determined to introduce this source of happiness to strangers as well. My grandmother opened a small shop that her children, including my mom, would work at. She explained that she created unforgettable experiences and long-lasting friendships due to her simple passion. One friend became the manager of her shop and the two became best friends who managed the store that would become beloved by the small Busan community. At last, when we reached the top of the mountain, my grandmother announced, "This. This is why we do not give up." Finally, I understood why my grandmother was so courageous and resilient.

My grandmother understood that perseverance allowed one to reach their most daring goals and, in this case, stand on top of a tall mountain that would unveil an incredible view. As we walked back down the trail, I asked her to continue her story. She explained that not only is following your passion is important, but also happiness from love. "Happiness comes in other forms than solely work", she explained. So, she stopped working and allowed her children to take charge of the shop so that she could spend more time with her mother. When we came back home, she showed me a picture of her and my great grandmother at the top of the Busan mountain that we had just been at, and my grandmother explained how the mountain was a constant reminder to value the power of love. Her perseverance and ability to place her value on what matters most to her still inspire me to this day. Flowers, her mother, and the mountain are her happiness. Whenever I return to Busan, we continue our tradition to hike the long trail, and she retells the beloved story.

Rachel

 is a high school junior. She is Korean American and enjoys traveling, oil painting, and playing the clarinet.