올 여름방학에는 미국에 사는 큰 아들네 식구들이 한국을 다녀간다는 소식을 지난 1월 초에 접했던 것 같습니다. 그러면 부모는 그 방문을 기억하고 기다리는 것이 아이들에 대한 기본예의(?)이겠지요? 시간이 흘러서 한국에 들어와서 울산에 내려오는 날짜가 6월 둘째 주간쯤이라는 연락을 받고는 15일부터 시작하는 한 주간을 잡아두었습니다. 그런데 막상 시간이 가까워지자 16일에 와서 17일에 올라간다는 연락을 받았습니다. 부모 마음과 아들 마음의 차이라고 이죽댔더니 8월 한 달 미국에서 만날 것이기에 그랬다고 방어하더군요^^ 짧은 고국 방문 기간 중에 서울에서 주로 세 아이들의 시중을 드는 것이 아빠의 사명이니 충분히 이해는 됩니다.
16일(화) 12시 51분 울산역 도착예정이니 빨라야 1시는 넘어야 만날 수 있을 것입니다. 한국에 오면 제일 먹고 싶은 것이 뭐냐고 옛날에 물었을 때 생선회와 매운탕이라고 답한 첫 손녀의 말이 기억나서, 좀 시간이 늦더라도, 정자해변에 가서 점심을 먹기로 했습니다. 다행이 기차를 타고 오면서 아점을 먹었다니 큰 문제는 없을듯 했습니다. 늦은 점심을 먹고 대왕암공원을 향하는데, 누군가가 팟빙수가 먹고 싶다고해서, 그 순간 좌회전 두 번만 하면 나오는 울산교회 집사님 카페인 <블루빈스>로 향했습니다. 바다와 등대가 보이는 위치가 탁월해서 한 참 바깥에서 사진을 찍고, 카페에 들어와서도 아기자기한 예쁜 소품들을 살핀 후에 전통 스타일의 팥빙수로 환대를 받았습니다.
그러다 보니 대왕암공원에 도착했을 때는 4시는 족히 넘었습니다. 아름다운 수국을 잠시 지나치며, 흔들다리를 향해서 서둘러가서 시원한 풍광을 맛보았습니다. 손녀 둘과 막내 손자는 아무런 염려도 없이 승합차로 움직일 때든지 공원을 걷든 때든지 상관없이 그들끼리 얼마나 잘 어울리든지, 슬도산책 계획이 사라져도 개의치 않았습니다. 하지만 너무 늦기 전에 저녁은 먹어야 하니까 집으로 달려왔습니다. 채전의 상추, 고추, 오이 등 싱싱한 채소와 함께 서울의 조카가 보내준 고기를 구워먹고, 냉면으로 마감했으니 모두들 행복했습니다. 남은 과제는 8명의 숙박입니다. 아들 내외는 큰 방으로, 아이들 셋은 2층 침대로, 처제는 공부방에 세라젬 위에 특설 침대(?)를 마련하니 배정이 끝났습니다.
1박 손님들은 일어나면 아침을 주기로 하고, 우린 늘 하듯이 6시 반에 아침을 먹고 7시 반에는 숲속체조와 산책을 다녀왔습니다. 그날 2차 아침 식사는 9시에 비로소 시작할 수 있었습니다. 그러다 보니 오전 시간을 훌쩍 지나갔고 본래는 점심을 먹고는 국가정원 테화강을 가기로 했지만 시간이 너무 짧아서 계획대로 움직이는 데에 에너지가 모두 들어갈 것 같아서 일정을 변경했습니다. 그리하여 결과적으로 이번 만남의 하이라이트인 라이프 스토리가 전개되었습니다. 처제가 먼저 주님을 만난 이야기를 나누어 주었습니다. 언니의 기독교 개종과 핍박을 지켜보면서 감히 신앙생활을 꿈도 꾸지 못했지만 건강하지 못한 첫 딸을 낳고 하나님께 원망을 쏟아붓다가, 그 딸이 초등학교를 다닐 때 회개의 눈물을 통해 하나님을 아버지로 부르게 되었다고 들려 주었습니다. 둘째 손녀는 크리스찬으로서 대학생활 적응에 대한 좌충우돌 이야기와 세 차례나 캄보디아 선교를 다녀온 첫째 손녀의 이야기, 그리고 한 때는 중학교에서 크리스찬 모임을 주도한 막내 손주를 통해서 어떻게 주님께서 그들의 삶에 역사하셨는지를 들었습니다. 1박 2일 짧은 시간이었지만 우리를 만지신 주님의 손길을 나누면서 가장 의미있는 만남의 시간을 가졌습니다.
I recall first hearing in early January that our eldest son's family living in America would be visiting Korea during this summer vacation. As parents, remembering such a visit and eagerly awaiting them is simply basic courtesy toward our children, isn't it? As time passed, we were informed that they would arrive in Korea and head down to Ulsan around the second week of June, so we reserved the entire week starting on the 15th. Yet, as the date drew near, we were told they would arrive on the 16th and head back up on the 17th. When I teased him gently about the difference between a parent's heart and a son's heart, he playfully defended himself by reminding me that we would be seeing each other for the entire month of August in the United States.^^ During their brief stay in the homeland, taking care of three children in Seoul is a father's primary mission, so I fully understand.
Since their arrival at Ulsan Station was scheduled for 12:51 PM on Tuesday the 16th, it would be past 1:00 PM at the earliest before we could meet. Remembering that when I once asked my eldest granddaughter what she wanted to eat most upon arriving in Korea, she answered raw fish and spicy fish stew (maeuntang), we decided to have lunch at Jeongja Beach even if it was a bit late. Fortunately, since they had enjoyed a late brunch on the train, waiting wouldn't pose any major problem. After our late lunch, as we set off toward Daewangam Park, someone mentioned craving shaved ice (patbingsu). At that exact moment, just two left turns away, was "Blue Beans"—a café owned by a deacon from Ulsan Church. Its vantage point offering views of the ocean and the lighthouse was truly magnificent. After lingering outside taking photos and admiring the charming decor inside, we were treated warmly to a delightful traditional-style patbingsu.
Consequently, it was well past 4:00 PM by the time we reached Daewangam Park. Glancing briefly at the beautiful hydrangeas, we hurried toward the suspension bridge to take in the refreshing scenery. Whether riding in the van or strolling through the park, our two granddaughters and youngest grandson got along so harmoniously and carefree among themselves that they did not mind in the least when our planned walk to Seuldo Island fell through. Still, we had to eat dinner before it got too late, so we hurried back home. Gathering around fresh lettuce, peppers, and cucumbers harvested from our vegetable garden, along with meat generously sent by our niece in Seoul, we finished off the meal with refreshing cold noodles (naengmyeon)—everyone was purely content. The remaining puzzle was lodging for eight people. With my son and his wife in the master bedroom, the three children in the bunk beds, and a special "improvised bed" prepared atop the Ceragem in my study for my sister-in-law, the sleeping arrangements were settled.
We decided to serve breakfast to our overnight guests whenever they woke up, while we ate ours at 6:30 AM as usual and enjoyed our forest exercise and morning walk at 7:30 AM. That morning, the second round of breakfast finally began at 9:00 AM. As a result, the morning slipped by in a flash. Originally, we planned to visit the Taehwagang National Garden after lunch, but because time was so short and sticking to the itinerary would drain all our energy, we changed our plans. In the end, this shift paved the way for the highlight of our reunion: sharing our life stories. My sister-in-law first recounted how she came to meet the Lord. Having watched her older sister convert to Christianity and endure persecution, she had never dared to dream of a life of faith; yet after giving birth to a sickly first daughter and pouring out resentment toward God, she tearfully repented when her daughter reached elementary school and finally called God her Father. We then listened to our second granddaughter's candid tales of navigating college life as a Christian, our eldest granddaughter's experiences from three mission trips to Cambodia, and how the Lord worked in the life of our youngest grandson, who once led a Christian fellowship group in middle school. Though our stay was short—just two days and one night—sharing how the Lord's hand had touched each of our lives made it our most profoundly meaningful time together.
Ek onthou dat ek vroeg in Januarie verneem het dat ons oudste seun se gesin wat in Amerika woon, hierdie somervakansie Suid-Korea sou besoek. As ouers is dit sekerlik basiese hoflikheid teenoor jou kinders om so 'n besoek te onthou en daarna uit te sien, nie waar nie? Soos die tyd verloop het, het ons verneem dat hulle omstreeks die tweede week van Junie in Korea sou aankom en na Ulsan sou deurreis, so ons het die hele week vanaf die 15de opsygesit. Toe die tyd egter nader kom, het ons berig ontvang dat hulle op die 16de sou kom en reeds op die 17de weer sou vertrek. Toe ek hom liggies gespot het oor die verskil tussen 'n ouer se hart en 'n seun se hart, het hy homself laggend verdedig deur te sê dat ons mekaar tog die hele Augustusmaand in Amerika sou sien.^^ Tydens 'n kort besoek aan die vaderland is dit immers 'n pa se roeping om in Seoel hoofsaaklik na drie kinders om te sien, so ek verstaan dit volkome.
Aangesien hulle aankoms by Ulsan-stasie vir Dinsdag die 16de om 12:51 nm. geskeduleer was, sou ons mekaar op sy vroegste eers ná 1:00 nm. kon ontmoet. Ek het onthou hoe my oudste kleindogter lank gelede gesê het dat sy die graagste rou vis en pikante visbredie (maeuntang) wou eet wanneer sy Korea toe kom. Daarom het ons besluit om, al sou dit 'n bietjie laat wees, by Jeongja-strand te gaan middagete eet. Gelukkig het hulle 'n laat ontbyt op die trein geniet, so die wag was nie 'n groot probleem nie. Ná ons laat middagete, toe ons na Daewangam-park vertrek, het iemand lus geword vir skaafys met soet boontjies (patbingsu). Op daardie einste oomblik was "Blue Beans"—'n koffiewinkel van 'n diaken van Ulsan Gemeente—skaars twee linkerdraaie ver. Die ligging met 'n uitsig oor die see en die vuurtoring was werklik besonders. Nadat ons 'n hele ruk buite foto's geneem en binne die fyn, pragtige dekor bewonder het, is ons hartlik verwelkom met 'n tradisionele styl patbingsu.
Gevolglik was dit reeds verby 4:00 nm. toe ons uiteindelik by Daewangam-park aankom. Terwyl ons vinnig verby die pragtige hortensias gestap het, het ons na die hangbrug gehaas om die verfrissende natuurskoon te aanskou. Die twee kleindogters en die jongste kleinseun het mekaar so wonderlik en sonder enige sorge gevind—hulle het so heerlik saam gekuier, hetsy in die bussie of te voet in die park—dat niemand omgegee het toe ons beplande wandeling na Seuldo-eiland van die baan moes val nie. Ons moes egter betyds aandete geniet voor dit te laat word, en het daarom huis toe gehaas. Saam met vars blaarslaai, brandrissies en komkommers uit ons eie groentetuin, het ons heerlike vleis gebraai wat 'n niggie uit Seoel gestuur het, en die ete met koue noedels (naengmyeon) afgerond—almal was doodgelukkig. Die oorblywende uitdaging was slaapplek vir agt mense. Ons seun en skoondogter het die hoofslaapkamer gekry, die drie kinders die stapelbeddens, en vir my skoonsuster is 'n spesiale "geïmproviseerde bed" bo-op die Ceragem in die studeerkamer ingerig—en so was die indeling afgehandel.
Ons het besluit om vir die oornaggaste ontbyt voor te sit sodra hulle wakker word, terwyl ons soos gewoonlik om 6:30 vm. geëet het en teen 7:30 vm. ons oggendoefeninge en woudwandeling gaan doen het. Die tweede ontbyt van die dag kon toe eers teen 9:00 vm. begin. Gevolglik het die oggend vinnig verbygevlieg. Oorspronklik was die plan om ná middagete na die Taehwagang Nasionale Tuin te gaan, maar aangesien die tyd so min was en dit al ons energie sou verg om die skedule na te jaag, het ons die planne verander. Daardeur het die ware hoogtepunt van hierdie ontmoeting ontvou: die deel van ons lewensverhale. My skoonsuster het eerste vertel hoe sy die Here leer ken het. Terwyl sy haar ouer suster se bekering tot die Christendom en die gepaardgaande vervolging aanskou het, het sy nooit gewaag om van 'n geloofslewe te droom nie; dog nadat sy geboorte gegee het aan 'n sieklike eersteling en haar verwyt teenoor God uitgestort het, het sy tydens haar dogter se laerskooljare deur trane van berou God as haar Vader leer aanroep. Daarna het ons geluister na ons tweede kleindogter se openhartige verhale oor haar aanpassing by die universiteitslewe as Christen, ons oudste kleindogter se ervarings van drie sendingreise na Kambodja, en hoe die Here gewerk het in die lewe van ons jongste kleinseun, wat op 'n stadium 'n Christelike groep by sy hoërskool gelei het. Al was dit 'n kort kuier van slegs twee dae en een nag, was dit ons betekenisvolste tyd saam, aangesien ons kon deel in die wyse waarop die Here se genadige hand elkeen van ons lewens aangeraak het.