Happy Birthday to My Mom

Happy Birthday to you Mom who I incredibly Love so much, more than words can say, and more than I often express. Even though I struggled to find opportunities in high school to say those precious words "I love you", I meant it everyday. It took for me to leave across the country to truly appreciate you though. I often was too busy and too caught up in life, so I took your hard work and effort for granted. I took for granted that you'd cook breakfast for me everyday, help me with my science fair backboards, drive me to school and practices, come to my volleyball games and cheer me on. You never really understood the game of volleyball so you'd watch some of the other parents to know when to cheer. You always cared and was always there for me because of her passion and unconditional love. What does unconditional love even mean though? Its the kind of Love that's unwavering, stable and constant. Its the Love that pushes its back foot into the sand, no matter the opposition, and trudges forward with tenacity.

My mom is a little woman, but God does she have perseverance. Perseverance to beat breast cancer, to bear three children, to manage an entire family, and to Love every day of her life. She was born in the mountains of South Korea in a village of 100 people still recovering from the Korean War, married my father, and came to America as a first generation immigrant with few possessions. The only reason my family has made it so far is because of her perseverance and passion to move forward, and Love to hold things together.

"Passion and satisfaction go hand in hand, and without them, any happiness is only temporary, because there's nothing to make it last." -Nicholas Sparks in Dear John

She takes absolutely Nothing for granted and constantly reminds me how fragile and precious life is. On top of that, she tells me that Life is not easy, so she picks me up off the ground when I'm down and will exert every ounce of energy til her last day in order to ensure that me and my brothers have the best possible life we possibly can. And so, it is through sacrifice that she constantly demonstrates her Unconditional Love. There will come a day, when she won't be here anymore, and when I'll cry infinitely harder than I have today, but that will be the day when I'll know that I've only come so far because of her. Her hands will no longer be on my back pushing me forward, but it'll be okay because I'll have enough momentum to make it the rest of the way. Oh gosh do I love you Mom, and there's absolutely nothing I wouldn't do for you, and I know there's absolutely nothing you wouldn't do for me. And so with tears, I miss you, and I'm grateful that you brought me into this struggle of a life, but I'm happy because I understand how far we've come. And let me never take you for granted...because Life is short and Love is Infinite.