In Memory of Mr. Walker
One of my dad’s colleagues, Mr. Walker, recently passed away.
When I was a kid, my dad often brought me along to meet his colleagues—that’s how I first met Mr. Walker. He always told me, “One day, if you’re ever in the States, come visit me at my home.”
About twelve years ago, when I was a senior on an exchange program in the United States, I remembered his invitation. On Thanksgiving Day, I called him. To my surprise, he warmly told me to come over, to bring some friends, and to spend the holiday together.
I was so touched and excited by his hospitality that I immediately said yes. As an Asian student in a foreign country, it was easy to feel a little distant at times, but Mr. Walker made me feel truly at home.
He took us to a wonderful restaurant—the barbecue ribs were the best I’ve ever had. He cooked sweet corn mash for us, a taste I still miss to this day. He even drove us around his farm, and at the end, casually told us, “This is all mine.” (I couldn’t stop laughing at his proud smile, lol.)
He showed me how Thanksgiving is really about being with family and friends—sometimes just drinking a beer, chatting, doing nothing, and enjoying each other’s company. I still remember picking up food from restaurants, learning how to mix eggnog for guests, and—yes—getting drunk on eggnog for the first time in my life. Lol.
All those memories are treasures I carry with me. That was the one and only Thanksgiving I ever celebrated, and it remains one of the warmest experiences of my life.
Thank you, Mr. Walker. May you rest in peace.
Pokai