This is my first Mother’s Day without my mom. It’s a subtle ache I feel in my heart knowing that she’s no longer here with us. The 1-year anniversary of her passing is June 12 so I am putting together an art and poetry exhibit in her honor. Her dream was always to have a solo exhibit, but she never thought she was ready. She was well beyond ready long ago.
So on this Mother’s Day, I want to share with you one of her poems from her poetry book, “황금 갈대의 밀기” (Whispers of the Golden Reed), she published in 2013. This piece, “어머니” (Mother) is about her mother, who was a force of nature. I am comforted in knowing they are now together again in paradise.
Here is the translation of the poem:
어머니
Even as I approach eighty — “Mother”
when I call that name, my chest goes still
Supporting ten siblings from behind
giving every fiber of herself through ninety years
under one roof, the sun rose and set on her devotion
times so hard that raising even one child was difficult —
seven daughters and three sons
she made into salt and light for the world
In those childhood days
after achieving a goal, she would share rice cakes with the whole neighborhood
After entering elementary school
she stayed up all night with me to read, write,
and memorize the multiplication tables
finding breaks between housework to grind ink, practice calligraphy
and sing the old verses of the ancestors
until our mouths went completely dry together
Even as your strength was fading away
you took each of your ten children by the hand
and cleared the path into the world for them —
Mother, who opened the way
Even now, quietly calling “Mother”
my chest grows warm with Mother’s breath
“Mother”
I know the world has gone mad and there is SO much to be incensed about, so here’s my positive contribution…a tip on how get through a ferocious bug like the one I’ve had for 2 weeks. Use @kleenex with lotion! I am on my 11th box…yes, you read that correctly…11th box in 2 weeks and my nose is perfectly unaffected. Miraculous! And no, I am not being sponsored or paid to do this. You’re welcome and stay healthy!!
#kleenex #norednose #sick #cold #flu
Without sounding xenophobic, I don’t think a wealthy white guy with a proper British accent, who is yet another former Fox News host, should really be a California gubernatorial candidate. Thoughts?
I’ve been bedridden since late Saturday night after traveling 13 hours from Hartford to LA. Caught some sort of very nasty bacterial bug somewhere between NYC and Hartford. It was the ONE time I didn’t wear a mask on a flight because I forgot to pack one. Yes, I’m still that person who masks up. Whatever I have, it’s brutal. Sore throat like razor blades, congestion that feels like my head is going to explode, upper respiratory irritation and cough. And then this morning, woke up with conjunctivitis in my right eye!! Good times!! I barely made it to the doctor today and got the needed medications. There’s some scary, mysterious shit floating around out there and it doesn’t help that the @cdcgov or the @hhsgov aren’t functioning. Stay safe!!
On the bright side, I have a team of very dedicated and vigilant nurses by my side. 😊🐾
The Power of Jeong 정 was overflowing at the @kacfny gala with so many incredible members of the Korean community together in one place to honor visionaries like Miyoung Lee and trailblazers like @audreynuna@ejae_k and @rei.ami
Great to reconnect with childhood friends from Ohio, including KACF board chair and @parkjeannienyc her sisters Mimi and Lisa, and family friend Cathy Yang!
Congratulations for all the incredible work that KACF has accomplished for over 2 decades! You’re just getting started! @kyungyoonnyc You are a rock star!!
#korean #community #advocacy #jeong #golden
The continuing grift and fleecing by #donaldtrump and his cronies is incredible! Billions being made on #insidertrading alone. And yet, nothing is done. But remember what happened to Martha Stewart?? Exactly.
#hogansheroes #sargeantschultz @bbcnews
Jesus Christ one day, hugging Jesus Christ another. And, according to @jdvance #popeleo should be careful when speaking about theology. Blasphemy reins when it comes to these two heretics!
#blasphemy #donaldtrump #jdvance #pope
He didn’t plan on this tour, but he felt compelled to hit the road given the state of affairs in this county. Bruce @springsteen isn’t afraid to speak truth to power and, man, did he bring it! He is the very embodiment of RADICAL and JOY! Forever THE BOSS!
#bruce #estreetband #resist #riseup #landofhopeanddreams
