On the morning of October 13, the 30th Senior Citizens' Day celebration was held at the Hwacheon Gymnasium. Covering the event, I reflected on the time our seniors have spent with us. The Hwacheon we live in today is built upon the days they worked, cared for their families, and protected their communities.
During his opening remarks, Lee Hwa-won, president of the Hwacheon branch of the Korean Senior Citizens Association, acknowledged that the seniors of Hwacheon are a generation that endured hardships during the Korean War. He expressed a wish for them to live healthily for “a hundred years.” Hwacheon County Mayor Kim Se-hoon also conveyed gratitude to the seniors who have stood by the region, emphasizing the importance of remembering and respecting their lives.
Listening to their speeches, I contemplated the years the seniors have lived and the days that lie ahead. I hoped that our gratitude for their lives would translate into caring for today’s seniors. I wished for those who have endured difficult times to experience less pain and loneliness as they remain with us longer.
Since March 2018, I have been living with my parents, who are both over eighty, in Hwacheon. While I closely observe their daily lives, simply living together does not mean I know everything about them. As I thought about the seniors at the event, I recalled stories I have yet to ask my parents.
There was a saying I heard in a local shop: when a senior passes away, it feels as if a piece of the village's history disappears. That remark, made during a memorial for a deceased elder, has lingered in my mind. It prompted me to reflect on how much we have listened and asked while they are still with us.
The history of a village is not filled solely with major events and dates. It also encompasses the old paths people walked, the workplaces where they made a living, and the stories of neighbors who relied on one another. Familiar memories for long-time residents become the first stories of Hwacheon for the next generation.
In Hwacheon, which has experienced division, war, restoration, and reconstruction, these voices are even more precious. We must listen to the testimonies of those who lived through the war and the experiences of residents who have witnessed the village's changes. While we should compare differing memories with records, we must not take lightly the life of any individual sharing their story.
When we say that seniors have protected Hwacheon, it does not only refer to grand achievements. It signifies their daily efforts to work, raise children, and care for their neighbors despite difficult circumstances. These ordinary days have sustained the village and shaped today’s Hwacheon. Recognizing this time deepens our respect.
As a journalist, I also reflect on how I treat my parents. I consider whether I have rushed to provide answers out of concern or made decisions on their behalf. Beyond the familiar image of my parents, there are their youthful days, choices, and unspoken wishes that I have yet to hear. Just because we are close does not mean I know everything.
Respect for seniors should translate into attentiveness to their daily lives. We can ask if they find it inconvenient to go to the hospital, if they often eat alone, or if they have someone to contact when they need help. Most importantly, we should first listen to what kind of assistance they need and how they wish to live. I hope our concern reaches not only those seniors present at the event but also those who could not attend due to health or mobility issues.
When asking for life stories, we should cherish the memories they willingly share and not rush them to reveal difficult tales. One does not need to prove great sacrifices or special achievements to be respected. The life of an ordinary person is equally valuable.
As I concluded my coverage and returned, the words I heard in the shop resurfaced in my mind. There are stories we may want to ask about after someone has passed, but we can no longer hear them. I, too, plan to ask my parents more about the stories I have yet to learn.
I hope the wish for seniors to live healthily for a hundred years and the commitment to remember their lives will translate into our daily check-ins. It is about being grateful for the lives that have protected Hwacheon and listening to how they wish to live now. This is a sentiment I wish to hold onto after returning from the Senior Citizens' Day event.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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