Dear Iris – An ABA Young Birders Essay

By ABA Young Birder – Kate Ancheta

Dear Mom (Iris),

많이 고생했어요.

많이 사랑해요. 

많이 고마워요. 

To you, who has loved me back, 

Like no one has ever before. *

From our birth, to our fledging moment, you have protected us and cared for us. Even if dad was busy fishing and hunting, you were always there—never missing a single moment of our lives. You’ve fed us tenderly, when we were weak and vulnerable. You’ve guarded us from those thieves in the night: those owls with sharp, cunning claws. Your broad wings shaded us from the sun. Even when you grew tired and sore—even when your feathers faded to dust, you stood by us. 

Sum-eh (older sibling) was all too ready to leave the nest. But you’ve never backed down from a fight. You always won against his aggression and greed—making sure I get my share of fish. You have raised me well, and we have grown close together. Our bond is special and intimate. And I shall never forget that.

But I couldn’t help but be curious about the outside world! The world beyond the concrete parking lot, and beyond the traveling train tracks, and beyond the solid blue horizon. But here now, down in the South, I realize that I was wrong. 정말  보고싶다, I miss you.

I wish I had appreciated your love when I was younger. I wish I had cared for you, in the same way you cared for me. But more importantly, I wish I could be with you again. But, I’ll just wait until the winter storm subsides. Then, I promise to you, that I will return to you—my dear mother.

— Antali**

*Rough Translation from Korean to English: 

You’ve suffered a lot. 

For that, I love you. 

For that, I am grateful to you.

**In the perspective of Antali, the youngest fledgling at the 2024 Hellgate Osprey Cam to her mother, Iris. Also, a letter to my own mother—thank you for your loving care. Even if I leave, I will always come back to you.

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