We remember listening to her stories as children but never really understanding them. We knew the concept of love but as children it wasn’t as pronounced.
As we grew up, we began to notice how beautiful love could be. How magical it could be. Even as adults, we still enjoy hearing the stories because it gave us a sense of enlightenment.
This day was special because we walked into her room to see her smiling. She sat in a soft pink dress, holding a picture of herself & him in a dandelion field. She looked towards us and motioned for us to sit.
“Hello, my sweet girls.” She said in a frail voice.
We smiled and took turns kissing her cheek.
As usual, she smiled and said she wanted to tell us a story.
We smiled and sat near her not knowing this would be her last.
“Do you remember all those stories I told you about Jun?” She asked us with a smile.
We nodded and smiled back.
“This is what really happened.” She said with a smile.
We didn’t understand what she meant but we listened.
“A long time ago, I briefly met a man who made an impact in my life. He gave me strength, love and hope just with this one picture.” She whispered with a smile.
Kelsey reached for the picture and passed it over to Lani. She stared at it.
“Is this the same dress mom?” Kelsey asked surprised.
She nodded yes.
Then she handed her another picture.
“Is this Jun?” Lani asked with a flirty tone.
She giggled and nodded yes. The love in her eyes for him was still so pronounced.
“He’s in the same spot, were you together that day?” Lani added.
She smiled and nodded no.
“I wish we had been together, though.” She said with a smile.
We didn’t even think what that meant.
We always assumed they were together.
We gathered around her to listen.
She glanced at his picture and held it to her heart before starting.
“You really did love him, huh mom?” Kelsey interrupted.
“Hangsang.”(항상/Always) She whispered as she smiled and nodded yes.
“Shhh. Listen.” Lani interrupted.
And her story goes a little like this…
