It's not easy, huh? This whole "living" thing, let alone existing. They make it look so easy, don't they? And that just makes it harder for the rest of us. I know you're busy. I'm busy, too. I don't know what it is you're busy with exactly, but I know for certain that you are. For me, It's mostly taking care of my grandfather who has been suffering past his expiration date long enough. I drive him to a hospital an hour and thirty minutes away only to wait another two hours and fifteen minutes for a disgruntled nurse to see him for five minutes to draw his blood. She'll scribble something on her chart, not bothering to check whether the rest of the information she has about his health is up to date because she's been doing this for a while and knows that there is a 99 percent chance it is, and that's good enough for her. Then we'll be formally excused to get the fuck out as quickly as possible. That's a total of five hours and twenty minutes I spend with the decaying man, him talking very loud and very fast in Korean and me nodding my head at both polar and nonpolar questions alike because I can't tell the difference. And that's just my morning.

Why doesn't my mother do this for her own father? I know why, but she's still trying to find the answer at the bottom of a bottle. It's easy to wonder why you have come this far. They want so much, don't they? They expect so much, too much if you ask me. You must want a break. I know I do. It all gets so loud. And so annoying, right? Totally. It makes you want to go home, even when you're already at home. So during the times you feel this way, and I know it is quite often, picture me, a perfect stranger who you can only use your imagination to fashion a body and face for, taking your hand in the most platonic but comforting way possible. And once you finally notice through wet eyes that I am here with you, we will stand up from the couch together and I will lead you into the kitchen. It is important that you eat your meals, even if you feel too full of other things. Don't worry: I promise I'll still be here to compliment you for it afterwards.