Exploding Heart

So sometimes I think I'm in love with like 50 little kids. Well, maybe not 50, but there are definitely a special few that really keep me going through each day and in general through the whole teaching experience. Some of them speak excellent English, and a few of them are at a pretty low level, but charm my socks off nonetheless. It is just such a wonderful gift to be able to get into their lives in some way, and the moments when it comes back to you and you realize that a) they actually LIKE you, and b) they look at you as more than just a teacher are really really gratifying and moving.

Teacher's Day is this week-- it's apparently a big deal in Korea; kids make you little cards, bring you candy, presents, just love on you in general. WELL, Bess and I found out today that since it's on Saturday this year that likely means none of the kids will make a big deal out of it. We were SO BUMMED. BUT! One of my favorite students (Danny) came to the rescue! I walked into class and he had this red box with a flower pen stuck on top of it for me, and proceeded to rush me over to my desk so he could unwrap it for me... it was adorable! He (aka his mom) got me a few pairs of cute socks, but i mean they could have put a newspaper in there for all I cared.... there was a note on the top of the box that just made my heart explode, which is now hanging above my sink:

Anyway, all this to say these little adorable gestures mean the WORLD to me and give a lot of meaning to what I'm doing here :) Here are some more pictures: 

That's me and Danny :)

This is Rachel (reachel as she spells it), and the adorable note she gave me last week. Favorite line: "4th question: Maybe, do you have magic lamp. What can you do?"

Homage to Momage

Think about it for a second.

Someone takes full responsibility for you from the moment you are a thought in their head through whatever point you start taking your independence. No complaints. No regrets. Just love and support. So much sacrifice. They learn as they go, drawing the lines between being a parent and being a friend as we grow up and go through all of those icky/wonderful phases of childhood. If I ever really sit down and start thinking about this whole amazing aspect of humanity, my heart and mind honestly feel like they're just overflowing. It's amazing! It's awe-inspiring! And for the past few years it is something I have only just begun to appreciate in the way it should be appreciated.

I am so phenomenally fortunate to have the mother that I do. We relate to each other, we respect each other, we ENJOY each other, and I don't know about her but every time I talk to her things feel like they just sorted themselves into a manageable place again. When this whole Korea idea came up, and I was initially hesitant, Mom was the one who completely got behind it and encouraged me to take the chance. (Now, the reality of packing and getting on that plane was a different emotional story...) How can someone who has poured so much energy, time, love, resources, and wisdom into raising you be so unselfish as to encourage you to move thousands of miles away from her? Holy selfless love. My heart doesn't even know what to do with it all.

Anyway. I'm really far away from my Mom today, and I really love her and miss her. And if putting myself through the emotional roller coaster of trying to write down all the ways I love her and am blessed by her can convey how amazing she is, I'll take the tears gladly.