Dear you, Give

yourself.

This life makes you feel displaced and uncertain. Your identity becomes mottled with your spouse's. You surrender bits and pieces of what makes you you so that you can continue making your spouse's world fluid. Then comes the sadness.

You enroll in college classes. You get a job. You dive into your children's school career. You feel accomplished. Then comes the sadness.

You make a friend after three months at your new duty station. You just click. You feel elated. They PCS. Then comes the sadness.

You meet a stray dog. You befriend this dog. This dog claims you as their human. After two months of ensuring some kind of care for this dog, you feel grounded. You feel loved because this creature is happy to see you every time. You find this dog a home. This dog is loved and cherished. You feel happiness.

You continue this path. You build bonds with your Korean neighbors. They show you their trust. Your happiness grows. You continue to give yourself and you are eventually reconnected with the person you lost. It's me.

I found myself while giving myself to the dogs of Korea. If you have lost yourself, come join me as a volunteer at Rebel Rescue South Korea. Maybe we can help you find you again.

Love, Kristy Walker

About the Author

Kristy Walker is an avid volunteer at Rebel Rescue and advocate for animal welfare. She responds to reports of animals in need, cares for abandoned country dogs, provides on-site medical care within her capacity, and frequently visits the dog meat farms in Osan to show persistence, to show face and hope for a change. Come afternoon, she is in full mom-mode with her daughter in Taekwondo and son preparing to graduate from high school.