[W Forum] Saying 'Thank You' Even When It's Free

by Jo Youjin

Published 21 Dec.2020 10:37(KST)

Many people probably watched 'When the Camellia Blooms,' which achieved the highest ratings on KBS last year. In episode 2, there is a scene where the protagonist Dongbaek talks about her modest dream. She tells Yongsik, who has a crush on her, that she wants to become a railroad official and work at the lost and found center, and that she visits the train station whenever she feels down or wants to regain energy for life.

When Yongsik asks why, she explains that people who come to pick up their lost items at the lost and found center thank her two or three times, and that the person who receives thanks becomes an angel. When Yongsik tells Dongbaek, who gets hurt by the comfort and kindness she offers to those who visit her store, that he wishes she were less kind, Dongbaek looks at him with an expression that says, "Kindness is free, so we can be a little kinder to each other," and adds that if it can be a comfort to each other, then that's all that matters, and what's so difficult about that.

Last Saturday, there was a family gathering at the big house. Our family arrived first, and after 10 minutes, other family members arrived one after another, their faces more than half covered with masks. I thought it was the usual year-end family gathering. However, the table setting was somewhat unusual. Only individual plates and utensils were placed on the table. My brother-in-law explained that dinner would be served as a semi-buffet, and he ladled soup from a large bear pot and placed it at each seat.

The soup was seaweed soup. I wondered why seaweed soup, but seeing the savory smell and rich broth, I thought it would be delicious. My brother-in-law placed the seaweed soup in front of me and smiled warmly, saying, "Sister-in-law, happy birthday!" For a brief 2-3 seconds, I said nothing and just looked at his smiling face.

"Is today my birthday?" I used to remember and celebrate someone’s birthday every year, giving simple gifts, but I think I had forgotten my own birthday for some time. Having my birthday remembered and someone personally cook seaweed soup for me warmed my heart, making the cold wind outside seem insignificant. When I hesitated to say, "Brother-in-law, the seaweed soup..." he smiled and said, "Enjoy your meal!" and turned to go to the kitchen.

Then, when I said, "Thank you. I will enjoy it," he replied with his back turned, "Thank you? If you enjoy it, I’m the one who should be thankful." His small figure seemed huge, and white wings fluttered from his back. At that moment, he was an angel to me. The seaweed soup was rich and delicious. I was grateful. The energy my family gave me that day recharged me, who had been exhausted and drained throughout the year.

Saying thank you can lift someone who is drained. Saying thank you can make someone who is lonely feel that they have an ally. Saying thank you can give someone who is working hard the confidence to keep going. Saying thank you can be courage for someone taking on a new challenge.

There is a joke that because of COVID-19, which requires working from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., we have to leave at 7 a.m. and return home before 9 p.m. to avoid the virus. Situations where people cover half their faces with masks and cannot approach each other continue. Becoming an angel to each other should not be that difficult. Just as the person who finds lost items at the railroad station’s lost and found center and hears thanks is considered an angel, we can make someone an angel, and we can be angels ourselves. Since kindness is free, it would be good to be a little kinder to each other.