A Familiar Story, My Family’s Story

As we live our lives,
things that once seemed like someone else’s story
sometimes quietly become our own.
This morning, while out for a walk,
I listened to a novel called The Misplaced Nail by Jehoon Lim.

At first, I thought it would just be an ordinary family story,
but as I listened,
a weight settled quietly in my heart.
It wasn’t about anything particularly special,
yet somehow, I felt as if I, too, carried a similar wound.

The novel revolves around a family,
where an old conflict over inheritance lingers.
The younger son, known by all as sincere and hardworking,
was left with nothing,
as the grandfather passed everything down to the eldest son.
The younger son worked in silence,
and as a result, his children lived difficult lives.

Listening to this story,
I found myself thinking about my own family.
In the past,
my father would occasionally talk about land that belonged to our ancestors.
For some, such stories might spark ambition,
but for me,
I’ve always believed that living my life faithfully where I am
is far more valuable.

Sometimes I wonder,
“If I were faced with a similar situation,
would I have the courage to fight for what’s right, or would I let go?”

But looking back,
I realize the most precious things in life
aren’t wealth or inheritance,
but the warm moments we share, holding our family together.

Listening to this novel,
I found myself reflecting once again
on what I have,
what I want to protect,
and what I should be willing to let go.

Thank you.