[ A touching story ] Constructive nagging " Do not skip your meals ! "

  I am typing on my keyboard today because there is a deeply heartwarming story I simply must share with you.

Lately, when we look at the news, it seems filled only with harsh and dry stories, often leaving our hearts feeling cold. However, I recently came across a beautiful story of some truly wonderful people that brought tears to my eyes.

This is the real-life story of the "70s Silver Mothers' Side Dish Volunteering Group," shared through the official press releases of the Seoul Metropolitan Government and its Welfare Foundation.

Retired mothers in their 70s gather together once a week to make Kimchi and prepare traditional Korean side dishes (banchan) from scratch. They then deliver these meals to young people living alone and elderly neighbors who live by themselves. Reading this news, I could deeply feel the rich flavors and profound love of mothers who have spent their lives raising children. It truly touched my heart.

✉️ A Mother’s Caring "Nagging" and Hand-Written Letter Delivered with the Food

These days, young people living alone in a bustling metropolis like Seoul work so hard, competing fiercely and struggling to find jobs. To save money, many of them often skip proper meals, barely getting by on cheap convenience store rice balls.

These volunteering mothers do not simply drop the food at the doorstep and leave. Instead, they write heartfelt, albeit slightly crooked, hand-written notes that say:

"No matter how busy you are, do not skip your meals. This is food made by a mother, so make sure to eat well and find your strength."

In an interview with a young man who received these side dishes, he shared that on a day when he felt so lonely, exhausted, and ready to give up on everything in this unfamiliar city, he received this warm food and the hand-written letter. He stood by his door and burst into tears. It surely reminded him of his own mother back in his hometown.

                      

A mother’s warm word and a single bowl of lovingly prepared food embraced a young man standing on the edge of despair, giving him the courage to keep going.

👵 Growing Older Means Becoming an Elder Who Shares Deeper Love

As we age, we sometimes feel lonely, wondering, "Have I now become useless to society?"

But looking at these mothers in their 70s, I learn so much. Growing older is not about stepping back. It is the beautiful process of becoming a "true elder" who can generously share a lifetime of warm wisdom and deep love with the world.

No matter how much technology or Artificial Intelligence (AI) advances, they can never mimic the sincere devotion put into food. The act of cleaning dried anchovies, crushing garlic, and pouring one's heart into a meal with only the thought of feeding a child—this love is surely the most powerful force that heals the world.

📰 Government Press Releases & News Sources (Copy and paste the links below into your browser)

• Seoul Metropolitan Government Press Release: mediahub.seoul.go.kr

• Seoul Welfare Foundation 'Warm Care Community Project': welfare.seoul.kr

💡 Closing Thoughts

This touching and beautiful act of kindness is a true story currently taking place through the "Companion Senior Side Dish Sharing Project" supported by Seoul and local welfare foundations.

If you have friends around you who are retired and looking for a meaningful second chapter in their lives, please share this story with them. Even if you do not have special skills or great talents, a mother's warm heart itself can become the strongest pillar of support for someone in this world.

How about calling your children tonight, even if they are living far away, to ask them that warm, familiar question: "Have you eaten yet?"

I will return next time with another heartwarming and useful story.

                                                                                                               Sophia in Seoul