Latest news with #grandmother
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Yahoo
We flew across the globe to find long-lost relatives. Despite the hurdles, we connected with family and had the trip of a lifetime.
We traveled to South Korea with my husband's grandmother in hopes of finding her long-lost family. Our only plan was to visit her hometown with the names and ages of the family she remembered. Despite little research, we found five of her siblings and other family members. It was amazing. For the last 15 years, my husband's family has immersed me in South Korean culture, mostly by way of my stomach. Whenever his grandmother, Kim, visited, she'd fill our kitchen with the delicious aromas of dishes she grew up with, from japchae to mandu. Sometimes, she'd share memories from her time in South Korea before she immigrated to the US over 50 years ago. However, it was always a tender conversation topic, one that reminded her of a life and family left behind. She'd lost touch with her relatives there and hadn't been back to visit. For years, traveling to a place she once called "home" was never a topic of much discussion. But as Kim reached her mid-70s, she realized she'd rather try to reconnect with her family than have unanswered questions about their lives and what had happened to them. With the support and encouragement of her children and grandchildren, we began planning a trip to South Korea in 2023. Despite the hurdles ahead, we traveled to South Korea with hope and anticipation That summer, a group of 13 of us packed our bags and flew from the US to Seoul. Kim preferred not to do any ancestral research before the trip. So, after a few days in Seoul, we'd travel to her hometown village of Eungwon-ri in Cheonan with a piece of paper with relatives' names and their approximate ages.. Our plan to locate her family was vague and optimistic at best, and we recognized that the language barrier would be one of our most significant hurdles. Still, we stayed hopeful. When we arrived in Eungwon-ri, we checked into a small hotel near where Kim grew up. We first asked the hotel staff if they recognized the names on the list. They didn't, but they eagerly offered to ask around and spread the word of our arrival. Next, we tried the café located up the street from the hotel, but to no avail. However, much like in any small town, news of our arrival and the names of those we were searching for quickly spread throughout Eungwon-ri. Within about an hour, a woman in a restaurant nearby caught wind of our search and invited us to join her inside as she called around town. Chatter filled the room as she carried on conversations in her native tongue, of which we had little understanding. With the help of translation apps and contextual cues, the woman told Kim that her brother was on the way to see us and would arrive in half an hour. Thirty minutes never pass more slowly than when it's about to change your life. As a car pulled up outside the restaurant and a man stepped out, we eagerly stormed the parking lot. He and Kim shared their parents' names and some other details for additional confirmation, and we soon got the news we'd been hoping for: We'd done it. Thanks to the kindness of the people of Eungwon-ri, my husband's grandmother was reunited with her brother in less than three hours. Our family has grown significantly because of this once-in-a-lifetime trip That evening, we had dinner together right in the heart of Eungwon-ri. Her brother began notifying other family members of our surprise arrival. In the hours and days that followed, Kim reconnected with five of her siblings, as well as some of her nieces and nephews. And despite over 50 years of separation and most of us having never met, her long-lost relatives took us in and welcomed us into their lives and homes with open arms. We spent most of the remainder of our trip exploring South Korea with our newly found family members. They showed us around the country, cooked for us, and brought us to their favorite local places. After leaving, we've stayed connected on WhatsApp, and some of us have already planned trips back to South Korea. It's incredible to know that we have so much family on the other side of the world. If there's anything we learned, it's that family is family no matter the distance, language barriers, or years that pass. And, above all, life is too short to wonder, "What if?" Read the original article on Business Insider Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Woman with Fertility Issues Says Her Grandma Ruined Her Gender Reveal — but Her Dad Says She's ‘Overreacting'
NEED TO KNOW A mom-to-be says her grandma revealed the gender of her baby to their church congregation — despite specifically being asked not to She also said that she has struggled with fertility issues in the past and wants to share news about her pregnancy on her "own terms' The woman — who shared her story on Reddit — said her dad is now defending her grandmother's behavior, and she's not sure who's in the wrongA mom-to-be is upset that her grandmother shared big personal news about her pregnancy — but her dad says she's being unreasonable. The woman shared her story on the popular Reddit forum 'Am I the A------,' a place where people can go to get advice on interpersonal issues. In her post, the Reddit user shared that she and her husband are both almost 30, and that they are about to have their first child in December 'after multiple miscarriages and adoptions falling through.' The woman said that she has only been telling very close friends and family details about the pregnancy 'in case I lose this baby as well.' However, she says that her grandmother keeps 'pestering' her to tell more people because she is 'so excited.' The woman went on to say that she and her husband recently found out the baby's gender, and that while they don't want to have a gender reveal party, she still wants to be able to tell people in her own time 'and on my own terms.' However, she said that her grandmother disregarded her wishes and 'told everyone' in their church — which she explained is in a small town community. 'Church members just began walking [up] to me saying congratulations on [my] baby's gender!' the original poster (OP) said, adding, 'My sister saw I was obviously distraught and told my grandma to stop telling people, which upset her.' The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! 'Now, I feel I can no longer share information about my baby without [my grandmother] going behind my back and telling everyone every little detail,' the OP continued. 'My father says I am overreacting because 'this baby is all she has.' ' 'AITA [am I the a------] for not wanting her involved in my progress anymore?' the woman asked at the end of her post. The woman's fellow Reddit users were quick to assure her that she is not the unreasonable one in this scenario. 'It's not hers,' one person said, adding, 'She's not doing any of the work. She doesn't get a say. Tell her and [your] dad to kick rocks. NTA [not the a------].' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Another person said, 'NTA. She can't be trusted to keep a secret. It doesn't matter if she's excited or not - it's your baby and not hers. Also, with a history of losses, that's a delicate subject and she needs to keep her mouth shut. Sorry, Dad, but you're wrong.' 'NTA for wanting to share your own news, but you need to stop telling granny info you don't want others to know yet,' added someone else. Read the original article on People
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Little Billie enjoys a turn as Lorraine's girl Friday
Lorraine Kelly beamed with joy as she took her granddaughter to work yesterday. The Queen of Daytime Television does not usually host her show on Fridays, but turned up with a special co-presenter – her daughter Rosie's baby Billie. She told viewers Billie now has 'two little teeth' and while she is not crawling yet is already learning to stand up. Ms Kelly was repeatedly distracted by the youngster as she tried to chat to fashion journalist Mark Heyes. Billie smilingly gurgled away as the veteran broadcaster tried to get on with the show and after the guest spotted red lipstick on the baby's forehead, Ms Kelly said: 'That's me, I can't stop kissing her.' She later jokingly asked her granddaughter: 'Do you want to come on and do fashion? Or should we talk about the Middle East? 'Because you could probably solve it better than the rest of them! Okay, I will leave you with your book about Mr Astronaut.' Ms Kelly, who is married to cameraman Steve Smith, announced the arrival of her first grandchild on social media last September.
CNA
5 days ago
- Health
- CNA
I was angry about growing up in my special-needs brother's shadow, but now I'm grateful for it
I first came across the term "glass child" in 2023, when it went viral on TikTok. It describes siblings of children with disabilities who are often seen through or overlooked because the attention is focused on their brother or sister. And it hit me. That was me. My younger brother Emmanuel was born prematurely and diagnosed with global developmental delay, apraxia of speech (a motor speech disorder), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and dyspraxia, also known as developmental co-ordination disorder. Much of my early life revolved around his many developmental struggles: therapies, appointments, meltdowns and milestones. I learnt to adapt quickly, often helping him with his meals, supervising his homework, playing with him and stepping in whenever he became overwhelmed or overstimulated. I was never explicitly asked to do these things. It was simply understood. I had to be the reliable one. I remember one incident clearly. I was around seven years old, doing my homework at home, while Emmanuel, aged four, was playing nearby. He accidentally swallowed a few pieces of my grandmother's bead necklace and ended up vomiting, spewing forth the necklace beads in front of her. She scolded me harshly for not watching him closely enough. I don't remember her exact words, but the feeling stayed with me – a deep sense of shame and guilt. From that day on, I began to believe that any mistake he made or any mishap he suffered was my fault, and I carried that responsibility silently for the next several years. AN UNEXPECTED OUTBURST As I grew older, I only bottled up more and more of my fears and frustrations. There were days when I wanted to speak up about how I felt, but I kept quiet. I saw how hard my parents were working and I didn't want to add to their already heavy load. Mum and Dad had left their careers to co-found Bridging the Gap, an early intervention centre for children like Emmanuel. With both of them working long hours, most of the day-to-day caregiving for him fell to my grandmother and me. By the time I was 10, I started getting angry a lot, often without knowing why. I began to feel resentful that my needs always seemed to come second to Emmanuel's – like I didn't matter. I felt like I was under constant pressure to be perfect all the time, just to avoid being yet another burden. Looking back, it was a lot for a young child to bear. One day, after a minor disagreement, I yelled at my mum – something I had never done before. Mum was taken aback. To her, I was always the quiet, well-behaved child. Thankfully, I think she saw through the outburst to the real cause. She began setting aside more intentional time just for me. We started going for weekly mother-daughter dates for a nice meal or dessert at my favourite spots – Fu Lin Tofu Yuen in Siglap or Swensen's at Parkway Parade – just the two of us. We laughed, talked and enjoyed each other's company without having to think about my brother. As I got older, we even started taking overseas girls-only trips. Most recently, we went to Hong Kong earlier this year. I started to feel seen and heard. A REAL SIBLING BOND During my teenage years, I started volunteering at Bridging the Gap. I met other siblings who lacked the same support I used to lack, who struggled to express themselves the way I did. I've realised that while I had my own emotional wounds, I was still incredibly privileged. With both parents working in special needs and early childhood education, I had access to resources, language and support systems that most people in the same boat may never have. What also helped me to heal was growing closer to my brother – not just as a caretaker or guardian, but as a true sibling. We started baking together when I was around 11 or 12. We love cupcakes and over the years, we have experimented with all kinds of flavours: blueberry, strawberry, lemon and, our favourite, chocolate chip. In the kitchen, Emmanuel is always so eager to try new things, whether it is cracking eggs, mixing the batter or carefully arranging cupcake liners. Even when he doesn't get it quite right, he approaches every task with excitement and a fearless curiosity. He's never afraid to make a mess or try again, and he has taught me so much about embracing the process instead of just focusing on the outcome. We started playing badminton together around the same time, at the common court in our estate. Initially, he struggled with coordination and frequently missed the shuttlecock. I could see he was frustrated, but he never gave up. Over the years, he has improved so much that he now wins rounds against me. Watching him grow, both in the kitchen and on the court, has taught me so much about being resilient and finding joy in the little things. Bonding with him in these ways has helped me see him not just as someone I need to care for, but as someone I admire deeply. These days, my brother has even started teaching me things instead. Earlier this year, he taught me to play chess and we now play together during my free time. It has become our quiet way of connecting, a moment in the day when the two of us get to bond as siblings without distractions. He takes chess pretty seriously. When we play, he is focused, strategic and often a few steps ahead of me. Honestly, he wins more than I do. But what I love most is his kindness. When I make a mistake, he doesn't gloat or get impatient. Instead, he gently lets me try again. In those moments, I feel like I can see my brother at his core – thoughtful, patient and generous in his own way. SEEING GLASS CHILDREN AS THEY ARE Today, I'm 19 and preparing to begin a degree in speech and language therapy at the Singapore Institute of Technology. I still volunteer at Bridging the Gap, where I shadow speech therapists and assist children with speech or developmental delays. It's not just my way of giving back – it's also my way of healing my own past wounds. When people talk about families of children with special needs, the spotlight often shines on the parents or the child with the diagnosis. But I hope that more people will recognise that siblings of children with special needs need support, too. Not every glass child has the space or the words to name what they're feeling, or the tools to help them unpack it, even if it is just the listening ear of a loved one. We are often the ones quietly observing, helping, adjusting – doing our best not to add to the weight our families already carry. But silence doesn't mean we're unaffected. Many of us grow up feeling unseen, as if our needs matter less simply because we appear "fine". Our burdens may be invisible but they can still be heavy: guilt, confusion, loneliness, and a deep longing to be acknowledged. We may not struggle with the same things our special-needs siblings do, but glass children are like any children. We need to feel seen and heard, to be reminded that our perspective and experiences matter. If you are a glass child like me, I want you to know: your feelings are valid. It is okay to feel conflicted – to love your sibling deeply, yet also feel hurt or unseen. It does not make you a bad sibling or a bad person; it makes you human. Isabelle Lee is an aspiring speech-language therapist studying at the Singapore Institute of Technology. She volunteers at Bridging the Gap, advocating for sibling support and raising awareness of the experiences of glass children.
Independent Singapore
5 days ago
- Independent Singapore
GrabFood rider helps lost 6-year-old twins wandering Sembawang alone at 1am
SINGAPORE: A GrabFood rider who stopped at a red light in the early hours of Wednesday morning in Sembawang was surprised to spot two young children wandering alone by the roadside. Muhammad Harris, 33, was waiting on his motorcycle along Admiralty Drive at around 1 a.m. on July 17 when he noticed two children picking up sticks and dried leaves near the traffic light. 'I looked around to see if there were any adults with them, but it seemed like only the two of them,' he told Stomp, 'When the green man started flashing, they crossed the road on their own, but what touched my heart was that even at that age, the brother held his sister's hand tightly as they crossed together.' Concerned for their safety, Mr Harris made a U-turn and cautiously approached the children on his motorcycle, taking care not to frighten them. 'I didn't want to scare them, so I stopped at the side and asked in Malay, 'Adik nak pergi mana malam-malam?' which means, 'Where are you going so late at night?'' The boy and girl told him they were six-year-old twins and that they had left their grandmother's home and were on their way to their mother's house. When Mr Harris asked if they knew where she lived, the boy confidently replied, 'Go straight, turn right,' but when pressed for more details, like the block or unit number, or even a phone number, the children couldn't answer. Realising they might be lost, Mr Harris parked his bike and offered to walk with them in hopes of figuring out where they were headed. 'I asked their names, ages, and what school they go to,' he said. 'But halfway through the walk, they said we might be going the wrong way.' Still unsure where they were supposed to go and with the children's safety in mind, Mr Harris called the police and stayed with them until officers arrived on the scene. 'The police took down my particulars and said I was good to go and that they would take care of the kids,' he said. Thankfully, the story ended on a reassuring note. Mr Harris posted about the situation on Facebook, and later that same day, a friend of the children's mother reached out and let him know she had seen his post and would try to contact the children's mum. 'She updated me a few minutes later that the kids were safely back with their mother,' Mr Harris said. Mr Harris, who downplayed his actions, said he did what any concerned adult would have done. 'Seeing them by themselves made me worried. They're still just kids, and crossing the road without an adult is dangerous. Luckily, it was so late at night that there weren't many vehicles,' he said.
