I run a deli in Philadelphia.
It has been over 20 years since I settled here.

When I first immigrated,
the streets were bustling with people,
familiar faces greeted each other in the market alleys,
and soon I had regular customers at my store, making work enjoyable every day.

But... these days, my feelings have changed.

Business is getting tougher,
prices are rising while margins are shrinking,
finding employees is like picking stars from the sky,
and even maintaining one store leaves nothing in my hands.

As a result, I sometimes find myself thinking.
"Would it be better to go to another state?"

Florida?
Taxes are low, but it has become too crowded and housing prices are rising...

Texas?
People say it's hot right now, but if I go and open a deli,
it might not be easy to cater to the customers' tastes.

North Carolina or Georgia?
The climate is nice, but there are still few Koreans, and it will take time to establish a base...

Los Angeles or California? The insane real estate, living costs, and homelessness issues, high labor costs, wildfire, riot news...

It seems there is no answer anywhere.

In fact, I don't want to change locations,
I just want to lighten the weight of life a little.

It's not that I dislike Philadelphia.
In this city, I have raised a family,
met good neighbors,
and this store is the root of my life.

But the human heart,
when too tired, sometimes wants to let everything go and start fresh somewhere.

Today, I sit at the register
sipping a cup of coffee and thinking.

Where can I go to find happiness?
Or is happiness not a place,
but something within my mindset?

There is no answer,
but if I live honestly day by day,
and am with those who need me,
that might be where I belong.

Still, sometimes... I miss other places.
That's my honest feeling these days.