March 8th is a BIG holiday in this country ... International Women's Day.And while I have been RICHLY blessed with amazing women in my life (mother, mother-in-law, aunts, cousins, sister-in-laws, friends, co-workers, etc), I would like to honor one very special woman in my life.
My Auntie Won Ok went Home just 3 days after David & I called her to say "goodbye" (and just 2 days after I wrote the "Perspective" post below). She is pictured here (circa mid-80's??) kneeling on the left.
Okay, let's see if I can get through this post without crying.
Too late.
I still can't believe that the last time I hugged her was when she came over to pray for us right before we drove out to LAX (about a year and a half ago). I still can't get my head around the fact that when we fly back to Upland this May, I won't see her.
I wish I could have been with her before melanoma took her life so that I could thank her face-to-face for being a wonderful aunt all these years ... for all the years she let me have sleepovers with my cousins, for all the amazing Reuben sandwiches she made me, for all the Thanksgivings she hosted, for how she supported me in everything I did, for all the ways she helped our family whenever we needed her.
But I am confident that now that she is in Heaven, she knows this and so much more. I am so grateful to have her example of a life well-lived. I want to make
a difference with my life and I'm thankful to have her example of someone whose actions will far outlive her.This is one of my favorite "auntie" photos. My maternal grandparents had six daughters. Talk about a sorority. One sister passed away when she was a baby (or toddler?)
The remaining five are pictured here in traditional Korean hanboks. Auntie Won Ok (the oldest of the 6) is the one in the middle (wearing a turquoise top and pink skirt). My mother (the 4th of 6) is the only one standing.
As I told my cousin, Auntie Won Ok has childhood memories without any of the other sisters since she is the firstborn but none of the other sisters have any life memories without Won Ok in them. She was the "big sister" ... the oldest ... and we are going to miss her dearly.
For a beautiful photo montage of her life, you can click here or just watch it below.
4 comments:
i think of mini bagels with cream cheese :) i woke up early one morning or i was the only there (at the woodland hills house) and i can remember auntie won ok leaning over the counter smiling as i ate i think 3 to 4 of those bad boys! after each one said ask, "one more?" toast it, spread on the cream cheese and watch me eat. i was young too, i remember my legs swinging as i ate, its random what little kids remember. they were sooo good. later in the day she bought more but the next morning i was sick of them and only had one.
~jake
of all the pictures to post here, you had to pick the one as I was going through my ugly phase! thanks for posting that. I haven't had the strength to even see my own blog... it's been a while. But it still has the photo fo me and my mom. i'm going to keep it there for now. did you watch the slide show yet? have tissue handy. i miss my mommy!
ok... how did you do that? the "click here" part? I know how to get the picture link on there (I think).... but explain that too... because it's been hit or miss for me. sorry!
Jenni,
I am so, so sorry about your aunt. She was pretty young, which is especially hard, I am sure. Your photo montage was so touching-- what a beautiful woman and she clearly was loved by so many.
Take care, and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time.
Sherry
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