I finally made it to the hospital sign to take these pictures! It wasn’t easy to fit it into our schedule and our outings since its located on a busy intersection, but it’s our last day here in Hawaii, so it had to be done. While the guys waited for us in he rental car, Ellis and I hopped made our way to the sign on the corner of the street and the front of the hospital. Ellis was my assigned photographer.
I feel close to Hawaii, because it’s my birthplace. Also, I feel my story has been rewritten for the happier. Growing up, I recall the stories of how difficult life was for my parents as recent immigrants from Korea. My aunt from my father’s side also lays to rest here when she tragically lost her life in a falling accident at the age of 26. She died a couple of weeks after I was born. She’s the one who named my middle name Sue. One month into my life, I was soon separated from my mom and dad and I went to live with my maternal family in Korea till I was 4 years old. My parents decided to move to California and taking a newborn with them to start a new life was too much. I don’t know how the did it, but they had already bought a house when I came to the States.
This hospital was established by Queen Kapiolani in 1890, who was very interested in the health of mothers and babies. She was the queen consort to the king of Hawaii named Kalakaua who reigned from 1874 to 1891.
20 responses to “Hospital where I was born”
What fun!
A fun day to be out and about with the family!
😀
What a story — that of your unusual childhood. Do you remember what it was like to be reunited with your parents after such an extended time? I wonder if the decision was harder for them than the experience was for you.
It was an unusual childhood! My mom came one day to Korea with two large suitcases full of American chocolate, a handmade blanket, and clothes for me. I was so wrapped up with the gifts and giving the chocolate to my neighborhood buddies, that I don’t remember much about her. I called her mom and that was about it. I knew that I had a mom and dad in America and we sometimes talked on the phone, at a neighbor’s house because we didn’t have a phone at home. I used to write scribbles on envelopes and put them in the mailbox to send to America. Our postman would give them back to my grandma.
I rarely have wondered how it would have been for them. I was so wrapped up in my fear and trauma. One day after my mom had been in Korea a month, we all went to the airport. I was on one side of the rope with my mom, and my grandma, 2 uncles, my aunt, and 2 cousins stood on the other side waving goodbye to me. I fell on the ground crying. It was pretty terrible.
I was thinking about the day you left Korea with your mother. That was less a reunion with your mother than a separation from the family you’d been part of your whole life. It would have been terribly traumatic. I suspect it makes your current family even more precious to you.
I was terrified the whole plane ride and in meeting my dad. I think they assumed that I would just transition smoothly, but I was freaking out. Nothing was familiar and everyone I knew, gone. I cried everyday and would sit outside the steps of the house and look up at the airplanes everyday wondering when grandma was going to come and live with me again.
In Korea’s bathroom, we used a flushable squat toilet. Then, on the airplane is a sitting down toilet that makes the loudest flushing sound. Needless to say, the trauma of everything led me to have major potty issues in the U.S. Not fun at all.
A remarkable story and wonderful to see you visit Hawaii and share your experience
Thank you, Susan!!
❤️🙏🤗
Lovely family!
Thank you, Cindy!
Great photos Ellis (and Chris of you and the kids). I’m glad you made it back to the hospital where you were born. Thank you for sharing your story with us. I’ve enjoyed seeing you all smiling and happy and especially Elliot showing off that new smile sans braces. 🙂
Thank you, Linda! I told Ellis that I could take the picture by myself with the selfie stick, but she insisted on taking them for me. She is like my shadow…where I go, she goes. lol
All of us had a fun and full day, and by the time we got back to the hotel, we were ready to relax for the rest of the day. The next day flight was 8:30 in the morning, and we had to leave the hotel by 6 a.m.
I’m glad you enjoyed the story…it holds a special place in my heart. It wasn’t a happy beginning but I see God rewriting my story and redeeming how I struggled with feeling love naturally for my parents. The trauma was real.
It is a deeply personal story for you and one of triumph for you. Ellis did a great job taking the photo. Your selfies are always good as well though. Some people’s eyes aren’t natural – your eyes and the others are fine.
Thank you!! We got a selfie stick and that was fun to use. I got really self conscious using it, and my fam accepted the fact that I was going to use it, so they didn’t complain. They usually do, so that was a shift in their attitude. Maybe cause we were on vacation.
I have seen selfie sticks advertised, but never saw anyone using them. You do an awesome job taking pics of your family with your phone.
Much remembering storytelling you. Iam so happy made it back to the hospital where you were born. Lovely new smiley photo Elli,Elliot & you. Beautiful experience you share reunited with your parents after such an extended time? I wonder if the decision was harder for them than the experience was for you. I enjoy your Unusual childhood.
God blessing 🙏. Tack Care you& kids!
Yes, it took some coordination to make it to the hospital. The traffic and parking situation were a bit tricky. But I was determined this time to get these photos.
My mom said that she suffered terrible migraines after she left me in Korea until I came back to the U.S. with her. I’m sure it wasn’t easy to leave a newborn behind…even with her mother and younger brothers and sister. I had a wonderful and happy childhood in Korea but I still had issues of not knowing why I didn’t have parents. Yep, you’re absolutely right. It was an unusual childhood. 🙂
Why your mother left you in korea.? Your childhood pass in Korea. Why didn’t have you parent’s.? What you have issues? But you are very strong & brave woman. I salute to my friend.