Mom has always found joy in farming. Even with her health not at its best, she can’t bring herself to stop working in the fields, saying she only grows enough for the family. Each plant in the field reflects Mom’s heart—a silent expression of her love for our family. During a holiday visit, I found the fields overflowing with pumpkins—because I had told Mom how much I loved the ones sent. One year, after I raved about her perilla leaf kimchi, the fields were planted entirely with perilla leaves. One day, I asked, “Mom, do you think we’ll have a hundred more chances to see each other?” She replied, “A hundred? Ha! Maybe thirty more, if we’re lucky!” I promised myself that I would express my love for Mom more often whenever we were together.
“Mom, I love you. I miss you,” I tell her. “I love you too, my dear! I love you!” she responds.
Even through the phone, I can feel the warmth of her heart.
