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Dear Subscriber First Name, This week, Asian communities around the world celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as Moon Festival (Chinese), Chuseok (Korean), Tsukimi (Japanese), and Tết Trung Thu (Vietnamese). Though varying by culture, this holiday’s traditions include family gathering and feasting, prayer, paying respects to ancestors, and giving thanks. Like Helen, Janet, and Mel discussed in their recent episode, I’m also navigating the intersection where my Korean and American identities meet. What does this holiday mean to me, and how do I want to pass it on to my future family? How can we best honor such deeply rooted tradition(s) in a way that feels true to our lifestyles and who we are? The thought that we can define the answer for ourselves brings me some solace with this somewhat complicated question. Rather than hold ourselves to a perceived standard of what it means to be a “proper” Korean or [insert your ethnicity here], we can approach the topic with some softness. Incorporate the elements that you remember fondly. Fold into the mix memories of our grandmothers, aunts, and mothers lovingly preparing food, then knead in how our parents set the table, how we took turns bowing to ancestors, admired the full moon, learned how to make songpyeon from scratch, or enjoyed pomelos and mooncakes with loved ones. Autumn marks a time for shedding and release in preparation for renewal. Let’s likewise let go of whatever feels constricting and instead focus on creating the version of ourselves and our lives that feels most freeing, evolving, and true. With love,
Haemee
P.S. - If you’d like to suggest a theme for an upcoming issue, message us at: newsletter@asianbossgirl.com.
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