With a heavy heart but enlightened spirit...

Bob Choi

5 February 2013

With a heavy heart but enlightened spirit, I'd like you all to know that my mother who was one week shy of 100 passed away last night.

She died in her sleep at home. Apparently in good health, with no sign of illness, pain or even discomfort, she simply "decided" not to wake up this morning. If there is such a thing as dying from old age, this is it! Thus my "enlightened spirit". It's in this same spirit that I'd like to share with you once again a poem I wrote in 2005, the year I took up writing as a hobby:

I LOVE YOU, MOM!

Hair of silver strands, skin of dried prunes,

The most “beautiful” woman I’ve ever seen.

Mother of seven, grandmother of nineteen,

Great grandmother of eight, still counting…

A fountain of love never-ending!

A matriarch for as long as I remember,

Rule your subjects with a stern and fiery temper.

There was a time when I hated you so,

As my rebellious heart yearning to break free,

The world was too small for both you and me!

Now that I’m getting older,

Our differences become smaller.

Getting along better than ever;

You begin to treat me as your equal,

But still get the last word as usual!

A torch of eternal love and kindness true,

Burns brightest with your children all around you.

A perfect picture of tender loving care

Inviting the whole world to share,

I love you, mom, all the time…anywhere!