“Mom, it’s me. What are you doing?”
“Uh, I’m doing my homework.”
“What is it?”
“Writing three times what I wrote wrong on my spelling test.”
“Mom, don’t write more than three times. I’m afraid it might tire you.”
“Well, I’ve already written more than three times.”
This is our repetitive conversation we have whenever I call her.
My mother, who couldn’t learn at school due to her difficult family circumstances, always felt the lack of learning. Recently, however, she found a Hangul [Korean alphabet] class for illiterate senior citizens. There are three classes a week and she has never been absent. As she did her homework more than assigned, the teacher complimented her and worried about her at the same time. The teacher too must have been afraid if she might overdo herself.
My mother’s enthusiasm for learning made me feel ashamed of my behavior because I’d tried to kill time in everything.
One day, I asked her why she was so eager to learn. She said, “I want to learn spellings correctly and send text messages to you all and . . . well, you know.”
On a holiday, I went to see my mom with my husband. On seeing us, she gave us two sheets of paper with a shy look.
“I was given homework to write a letter.”
The letter started with the words: “To my son-in-law and daughter-in-law.”
“Huh? Only to your son-in-law and daughter-in-law? Oh, Mom! Your son and daughter take second place to them?” I said playfully, seeing my mother blush.
My husband, who was next to me, looked happy like a little boy, waving the letter.
“Wow, thank you! I’ve received a letter from my mother-in-law! Haha!”
Looking at the letter, I could see how much she tried to write neatly.
As it rained yesterday, it is very sunny today. How have you been doing?
Whenever I think of you two, I overlay your face with the green leaf that shines in the clear and bright sunlight. It has been eleven years with Chan-hyeong and ten years with Hyeon-eui since I met you. When I was sick, Chang-heyong cried for me! When I said I love her, Hyeon-eui got all choked up! Thank you very much. I was always lacking in many ways. I’ve done nothing for you, but you always thanked me and said, “Mother, many people around me envy me for having a good mother-in-law. You are the best! Please take care of yourself.” “Mother, I’m sorry for not doing good enough to you.” You are such lovely children to me. Whenever I hear that, I am very happy. I give thanks to God over and over again for sending you, my treasures, who are intelligent, beautiful, kindhearted, and caring, to me. If I have a wish . . . it is to live well and healthily, and never break off our relationships until the end. I love you!
With love, Mom
Reading the letter, I could see how wholeheartedly she had written this letter. Although the recipients were her son-in-law and daughter-in-law, I could see that it included her daughter and son.
I got choked up, but kept my casual tone.
“Wow, Mom, you’re rich in emotion! If you had been able to go to school, you would have become a famous writer by now.”
“Hahaha, thanks!”
Whenever I miss my mom, I see her letter which I took a picture of. At a glance, “To my son-in-law and daughter-in-law” seems to be “To my daughter Ju-hui.” I am thankful for her boundless love, and on the other hand, I am so sorry to her at the thought that I’ve never wrote her a letter with my heart. From now on, I’d like to express my love for her, though I’m a little shy!