In May, KoreAm was honored with an Asian Pacific American Community Award by Assemblymember Ted Lieu. FROM LEFT: Lieu, KoreAm Editor in Chief James Ryu and California Board of Equalization member Michelle Park Steel.
June always turns my thoughts to family, probably because we honor fathers this month. I still remember the day that I found out my wife was pregnant with our third child, Michael, now almost 2. We already had two older children, Nicholas, now 17, and daughter Audrey, 12. My wife and I were so shocked that we couldn’t talk about it for a month! Just when we were starting to get our independence back and preparing to move to the next stage in our lives, we would have to start over with a brand new baby.
Someone once said that to reach the rainbow, you have to go through a storm. This reminds me of our situation. Being in our mid-40s and working full-time, we were initially so overwhelmed by the responsibility of having a newborn who needed constant care. Now we can’t wait to get home and see Michael at the end of a work day. When he sees or does something that makes him laugh, he says, “That’s funny!” Our older kids love him to death and are constantly begging for another hug or kiss. Michael has brought so much joy and love into our house.
Fatherhood may not always be easy or convenient, but I treasure it as a blessing and privilege. I wish all the dads out there a very Happy Father’s Day and invite you to read our poignant reflections on fathers written by Korean American authors, on Page 60.
Speaking of new additions, we are happy to introduce our readers to staff writer Kai Ma, who previously freelanced for us from New York. She brings a wealth of talent and fresh ideas to the KoreAm family, so please check out her work, including a feature story in this issue on — speaking of family — overseas adoption.
In this issue, we also invite you to get to know the person behind the pristine voice of Priscilla Ahn, who graces our cover this month. Dubbed the “new Norah Jones,” Ahn has a debut CD, “A Good Day,” that will be released June 10.
Finally, as we reflect on parenthood and family, it’s difficult not to think about China and Burma, each struck by catastrophic natural disasters last month. As of press time, an estimated 67,000 were confirmed dead in China as a result of the quake there, and at least 78,000 were presumed dead after the cyclone in Burma. Scores have been left childless, parentless and homeless.
May all of us open our hearts to these families.
