작년에도 나뭇잎은 떨어졌고, 올해도 어김없이 나뭇잎은 다시 떨어진다. 변하지 않는 진리를 느끼게 하는 이 가을 속에서, 푸른 하늘과 흩날리는 구름, 그리고 산뜻한 태양빛이 우리의 마음을 더욱 따스하게 해준 하루였다.
The KSEA New Jersey Chapter celebrated its 2024 Fall Picnic and Networking Event on October 5, 2024, at Joseph Medwick Park in Carteret, NJ. The scene felt timeless—just as the leaves fell last year, they fall again this year, reminding us of life’s enduring rhythms. Under a bright blue sky with gentle sunlight and drifting clouds, the warmth of the day reflected in our hearts.
It was also SAT testing day for my 12th-grade son. I dropped him off at Ridgewood High School, wishing him the best. His confidence reassured me, allowing me to focus on the picnic, though balancing the roles of father and Chapter President often feels like walking two paths at once. Life, after all, frequently demands a Plan B.
After setting up picnic tables and placing KSEA Wayfinder signs, I was ready to pick up my son. But on the way, he called and said, “Appa, don’t worry, I got a ride.” He was heading straight to his football game after the SAT. Initially, I felt frustrated—having driven 45 minutes to get him—yet that frustration quickly gave way to pride. My son had handled things on his own.
With a smile, I turned the car around and returned to the picnic. The weather couldn’t have been better for a drive along I-95. What followed was one of the best KSEA NJ Picnics yet. The fall sky was brilliant, the Korean food delicious, and everyone enjoyed the games—like the tennis ball toss and relay races. Both YG and OG members came together, laughing and bonding as one team.
A highlight of the day was the raffle, where winners walked away with KSEA towels and bottles of “Dream Dream” wine. It was a joyful gathering filled with wonderful people.
This is the essence of the KSEA community. As we move forward through 2024, moments like these enrich our lives. Right now, life feels truly beautiful.
가을의 길목, 인생의 또 한 장의 에피소드를 써내려갑니다.
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