Today is the first anniversary of my mother’s death.  I’m missing her and of course wishing things could have been different for her.  She loved life, her grandkids and great-grandkids, the holidays, and all the simple joys it is so easy to take for granted.  I’ll always regret not having been a better son for her.  She always asked so little from her family and unfortunately, too often that is all got.  Ah well.  In the end I was with her for what little comfort I could give.  She told me “I love you for coming home to me”, and I will always have that moment to remember.

This is the last photo I took of her, a day or two before she died.  She would have hated it of course,  but it was both a special and sad time and I think she’d be happy to be remembered, regardless of the circumstances.  I love you mom.

This morning Jee Yeun left for Korea.  The house without her seems so empty and quiet.  You kind of fall into a rhythm when you share your life with someone, and her departure has left me feeling particularly out of sorts.

She’s going home to help take care of her sister he recently suffered a massive stroke.  She will also be with her family to celebrate the lunar new year, and that’s a good thing.  Finally, she will be doing all the heavy lifting associated with moving house.  She’s taking an apartment in the same building at Gireum station, just two floors lower down.

I’ll be following in two or three weeks.  I have to finalize matters associated with my parent’s estate before I can leave the country.  It’s a real pain in the ass, but at least I have some powerful motivation to get it done.

Welcome home to the Land of the Morning Calm sweetheart.  I miss you and I love you.