The past few years, marked by the pandemic, have brought significant changes to our lives. One of the most impactful has been my mother-in-law’s decision to discontinue the ancestral rites and have them performed at a temple instead. My in-laws, originally from the Gyeongsang Province, traditionally place great importance on these ceremonies. However, even relatives from her hometown, who uphold these traditions, have seen a shift. As daughters-in-law age or fall ill, fewer women are available to perform these rites. Moreover, the pandemic made gatherings difficult, leading many to simplify or skip the ceremonies altogether. My mother-in-law, who had meticulously observed these rites her entire life, decided to end them. This was a relief for both her and me, as her daughter-in-law. We were the primary organizers of these complex ceremonies. Understanding her perspective as a woman, I felt empathy for her as she eased her burden. I worried she might feel a sense of emptiness after a lifetime of dedicated observance, seeing the ceremonies moved to a temple. Thankfully, my mother-in-law recently had knee surgery, lost weight, and has had a poor appetite. Not having to prepare for the ancestral rites has been a great blessing for her well-being. I am also grateful for her decisive action in not passing the burden of the rites onto me, her daughter-in-law, especially when she was struggling. The thought of not having to perform the rites has completely lifted my holiday stress. The pressure of preparing food according to strict rules and regulations was indeed taxing. Now, I can choose menus freely, which brings immense peace of mind. Instead of the dreaded traditional holiday dishes, we prepared a meal featuring foods that my living in-laws and we all enjoy. I carefully considered what my mother-in-law, who has been lacking appetite lately, would appreciate, focusing on fresh and vibrant dishes that don’t resemble typical ancestral offerings. It felt like a triumphant rebellion by both the ‘elder’ daughter-in-law and the ‘middle-aged’ daughter-in-law! Here is the menu we prepared for Chuseok: we tailored it to suit my mother-in-law’s love for vegetables and namul, and my father-in-law’s preference for meat and fish dishes. A cake was also added, which my mother-in-law, with her reduced appetite, particularly enjoyed.