October 31, 2009

GARDEN BLOGGERS' MUSE DAY -NOV. 1



Forty six years ago - A young gal from rural Alabama and a foreign student from South Korea tied the knot. Guess I was a rebel way back then even because marriage to someone from a different race wasn't widely accepted, South or North.

But here we are today, 46 years later , 3 wonderful children and a first grandchild. We are truly blessed to have surmounted all the trials and tribulations that life has given us. Coming from totally different backgrounds and circumstances I would dare say that it was at least 2 or 3 times harder to overcome the obstacles of marriage that people from similar backgrounds encounter.

I think the thing that helped me the most was becoming acquainted with the Korean culture whereby I gained an appreciation and understanding of my husband. I became a rather well-known figure in the Korean community in Chicago because my husband brought his mother from Korea and she lived in our home for 10 years. Even modern day Korean daughters-in-law could not have endured living with their Mothers-in-law. So I became a sort of legend in the community. My children and I were the beneficiaries, however, because our " halmoni ", grandmother in Korean, was a wonderful, loving person that taught us a lot. I'm so glad that my children had beautiful memories of her since my own mother passed when I was four.

Forty six years and I still feel as if it were yesterday. The years have flown by so quickly and are so full of wonderful memories. We live each day as if it could be our last because we've seen many friends and acquaintances leave unexpectedly.

In this here today gone tomorrow world we look back and see the two young people we were taking a chance on life and we've never regretted it.

19 comments:

  1. Congratulations on your anniversary Carolyn! Thank you for sharing your lovely story with us!

    Here's my Muse Day post:

    http://thanksfor2day.blogspot.com/2009/11/garden-blogger-muse-day-nov-1st-2009.html

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  2. Congratulations Carolyn! We've reached a mere 25 years this year, but like you it still feels like yesterday when we tied the knot. Perhaps that's the secret - if things are still fresh and full of surprises? :)

    I see I need to congratulate you on your 500 posts too - what a week you're having! And I also see we're planting the same tulips - Spring Green. I love them.

    Oh, and my poem's up!

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  3. Many, many congratulations Carolyn on your anniversary ! My parents married 59 years ago. They are from different countries albeit the same continent. I know that they faced some additional challenges because of their different backgrounds, particularly in post war Britain which became home for my Italian mother. Your children like myself will have been blessed with the best of both cultures. Here my GBMD post is up and reflects the leaves flying past the windows outside :)

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  4. Carolyn gail, What a beautiful posting. Our marriages produce the most beautiful gardens in our life, if we are lucky and determined, and a little cross pollination never hurts. How lovely to be married in harvest season, a time for thanksgiving.

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  5. Carolyn, congratulations, and happy anniversary to you both. May you be blessed with many more wonderful years together.

    Thanks for sharing the sweet video.

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  6. What a great story of a life well lived!
    Carolyn, your are truly a wonderful person.
    Many happy, healthy, and blessed years with your husband and family. Your story touched my heart. Thank you for sharing your story.

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  7. A lovely post ... Happy Anniversay and November Muse Day, dear Carolyn. (My post is up ... having trouble commenting so this might be a duplicate ... if so, sorry).

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  8. Happy Anniversary! Wonderful story, I read it from A to Z. We are also a mixed family, and I call my twins Half-and-half.

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  9. Happy anniversary! Congratulations on a wonderful milestone.

    Here is a link to my musing this month: http://rambleonrose-rr.blogspot.com/2009/10/quest-begins.html

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  10. Congratulations, Carolyn Gail! This is truly a milestone to be proud of and to celebrate. Wishing you many more! My husband and I will celebrate our 40th at the end of the month.

    After much pondering and editing, my Muse Day post is finally up.

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  11. Happy Anniversay! It does seem like yesterday, doesn't it? We passed 46 a ways back, counting, counting.

    I frequently mention my late MIL's good points to DH, never her negative side. Looking back, I wonder how she tolerated a little spoiled thing like me. She had a gentle way of directing us, rather than demanding, when there was work to be shared. I learned a lot.

    Great post.

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  12. Happy Anniversary Carolyn, This is a wonderful post and also a wonderful tribute to your mother-in-law as well. Also in retrospect, it's a beautiful tribute to both YOU and your husband for having welcomed her in your home and recognizing the advantages for your children. Enjoy your day. (My post is up)

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  13. Happy anniversary! I remember when our kids were young, and we had friends from Le Leche League. The wife was white, and her husband from Japan. I couldn't believe it when someone yelled, "Jap" at him from their car when we were at a park. I'm thinking he ignored them. I don't remember how we reacted. Our kids were with us. I'll have to ask our son if he remembers that.

    Wow, 46 years! We've been married 37 years.

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  14. Dear Carolyn Gail, what a testament to you both to have shared 46 years! Times were much different back then, you must have been a child bride!, and my hat is off to you for not letting wrong headed public opinion stand in the way of your love for each other. Your mother in law must have been a wonderful person too. As was my husband's mother. And you are indeed legendary!!! :-)
    Frances

    My muse day post, combining with the fall foliage post for Dave:

    Fall Foliage Garden Tour And Muse Day

    Frances

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  15. What a wonderful post about your marriage. I really enjoyed hearing about your Korean mother-in-law.

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  16. Oh, I love this, Carolyn Gail! I can't believe you've been married that long though. That surely must be a mistake. You look so incredibly young! Congratulations to you and your husband! Well done, my friend!

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  17. Congratulations Carolyn to you and your spouse. What a wonderful life. You two were trail blazers. I am glad it has been a joy filled life together. Children and grands are the most marvelous of blessings.

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