Dedication to my parents

 The first time I visited an American nursing home in 1975 I realized how much difference there is between Korea and America. In America older parents did not live with their children. I just wanted to tell my children Korea is different.   After that visit, I started writing daily notes about how customs differ in America and Korea.  For the past thirty years, this turned into a diary. 

Someday my children would know about their heritage.  After my second child was born it became more important to me to leave a written record (diary) for my children, and it gave me encouragement to proceed.

As my children were growing up and I was busy growing my business, progress was slow.  In last five years, I have concentrated on completing the book so my children will be able to hand it down to my grandchildren.   Also, as I grow older, I come to understand  my parents. My father told me that I should leave my name behind before I die.  In other words, he was saying that I should do something good that people will remember me by.  I thought that by writing a book my children would remember me.

I want to tell the story about JI.  This is my real name:   
 
                                       
 

 I never met anyone who had same family name as I (Ji).

I thought someday I would like to visit the North Korea in hopes of meeting someone who had the family name Ji. I would be very happy to meet a relative just like my parents were when they came to South Korea and found another family with the Ji name. Regretfully, I never have had chance to go. I hope writing this book will help me find my Ji relatives. 

As I have grown older my curiosity about my ancestry and family has increased, but after a visit to South Korea in 1988, I asked my older brother and sister questions about the family. I learned that there is very little hope that I would have any family still remaining in North Korea.

While I was writing the book, I learned great deal about myself.  I have discovered that I am very different from everyone.  I have been trying to please my parents all my life. I did know why. I begin to think like my father and act like him;  am I like him because I am part of him?   Or it may be that I am just living by Korean customs.  I will never know. 

When I was younger, butterflies were somewhat important in my life, but in the past ten years butterflies have become very important part of my life.  When I see a butterfly, it makes me be at peace with myself, and it makes me very happy.  As you read the book, you will learn why.

Jeannie      

 For more information about " the butterfly", follow this link.