In simply written, yet complexly crafted terms, the book told me that one must love, honor, and respect one’s family, friends, and country with all of one’s heart and must do so to the very brink of death. Perhaps in this day and age I will not be made a martyr, neither for country, family nor faith, but I will be called to put myself, in all my selfishness and defiance, to death. Stories of Hyangdok’s devotion and of Sim Chong, who became the eyes of her father, tell of such unfaltering loyalty. These, along with all the others, convicted me. I know that I may never live up to the example given by any of these brave and noble people, but a commitment to attempt to live in this fashion is not one that I am unwilling to make. I saw for the first time that vow, that desire to conform to the ways told in this book, is not separate and apart from my faith. It is rather a fulfillment of my faith.

A few days ago I called my mother. It was a simple call, meant only to update her on my schooling, but instead, I wound up crying.
I found myself asking for her forgiveness for not being the daughter I should be. I told her the story of Han Seokbong, about the mother who wanted the best for her son and the strong parallel I saw in us. Through quieted tears she replied that she was proud of me. Not because at 17 I received my associate's degree, or that now I am working on a bachelor’s degree and am looking toward medical school, but rather because I had finally learned the lesson that she had so earnestly attempted to impart to me.