Dale Says

His Korean name is San, which is short for a longer name that means “big mountain.” He has always liked mountains, and he would like to go to Tahoe to see the Sierra Mountains. His American name is Peter. He’s a first-generation immigrant who moved to this country to find a better opportunity for his children. Typical of first-generation immigrants, he works very hard. He and his wife own and operate a convenience store in San Francisco, and San works at the store 12 hours per day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

When I first got to know San, I used to ask him how he was (“How are you?”) — that off-hand question we ask each other. San always said the same thing: “If the OPEN sign is on, I’m OK.” Now, I don’t ask anymore.

San loves baseball, and he loves the San Francisco Giants. During the season our conversations revolve around baseball, and we agree that (a) the Giants are good, (b) the Dodgers are bad, and (c) baseball is the best sport.

This year has been good and bad for San. The Giants won the World Series, which was good. “We are the champions!” San tells me each time I stop in his store. “We’re number one!” And as I leave his store, San and I always exchange a “Go Giants!”

But this year has been hard on San because his health is failing. He looks drawn out, tired, and discouraged. His brother (who fills in for him once in a while) points to his head and says San’s problems are in his head.

I think there’s more to San’s problems than that. I think work has worn him down, and he’s starting to give up the battle. It’s a massive burden to work that hard for that long (it’s been years) and not suffer physical and mental problems.

I greatly admire first-generation immigrants. They are the backbone of our country, and we all came from them. And I greatly admire San’s spirit and his dedication to his family.

I hope San can find a way to recover his health, and I hope San can find a way to enjoy the benefits of all the hard work he has put in over the years. He deserves a break.

For now, and for San … Go Giants!