Happy Birthday to thatmelancholysoul from Mommy Cha

I can remember the first time that I laid eyes on you. You were blue, and a team of doctors and nurses were fighting for your life. Thankfully, through God’s grace, they won, and I was able to hold you in my arms. You have always been my most curious one; the one who questions everything; and my music and dance companion. If I were to define you I would say that you are multi-faceted and multi-talented. What you choose to put your mind, time, and effort into becomes a positive reality. It is in the choosing that you must display the most wisdom–because every moment spent in pursuit of a goal is a lost moment if the goal is not attained.

You have endless potential my Dear, and life is beckoning you to explore and conquer. I can remember being your age and the things that I wanted to do– imaginable and unimaginable things. The horizon was vast and many pursuits beckoned. Art college came first–then an art career. BB, [Before Babies], I was content with graphics, but after your sister and then you were born–I somehow gained a different perspective on life.  I discovered that I enjoyed children so much that my next pursuit became teaching–a pursuit I still engage in. Over time, I have taught everything from kindergarten to college; from church school to public education; infancy to geriatrics–and I have enjoyed them all. I have had a wonderful life filled with teaching and learning with and from you and your sister. Surprisingly, young people can teach their elders a thing or two. It is the young who face challenges head on and refuse to give quarter. It is the young who look for possibilities before impossibilities.

I guess I could say that I hold you responsible for introducing me to the world of J-Pop and K-Pop. First came Super Junior. I struggled so hard to remember [much less pronounce] each member’s name, and I danced many times with you to ‘Sorry, Sorry’. For a while we were unaware of any other K-pop groups until the day that you discovered ‘Mirotic’ while surfing on Youtube. That is the day that DBSK became a part of our existence. I was immediately fascinated by their dancing and singing abilities, and I can remember spending hour upon hour learning everything that I could about the group and its members. I learned to talk on the blogs and forums, and gradually became solidly supportive of Jaejoong, Yunho, Yoochun, Junsu, and Changmin. I was attracted by their musicality and their personalities. For a while I struggled because I couldn’t understand why, I, a classic music teacher, gospel singer, songwriter, wife, and mother of two grown daughters, would enjoy listening to this music. For some reason it both soothed me and challenged me to explore beyond my everyday music parameters. Hence came that immediate Mommy, agape love for the members of DBSK. If it seems as if Super Junior paled in comparison, not so, I still enjoy their music and their antics. What was most surprising, however, was that nurturing spot that DBSK immediately occupied. I became a Momma Bear, ready to defend if needed. Sadly, it would be needed.

There are happenings in life that defy description. One such happening was the split of DBSK. 2010 became a remarkable year that smelled of change on the wind. Many were confused and frightened, including the members, and in an effort that would take strength from us all, the Five became Three and Two. As a family, we stood in the position of distressed observer, never abandoning any member, but with a spirit that knew deep down that things would never again be the same. This didn’t mean that hope was abandoned, but reality dictated that change was inevitable. We fought with everything in us to maintain the faith, and we still fight for the hope that someday these friends and brothers will be able to sit down and enjoy quality time together. It is no longer about the music or the companies–it is about the friendships.

So now, thatmelancholysoul, how does this in any way relate to your Birthday? Why have I written this narrative in this way? It is because I want to see you fight just as hard to be who you are despite all the obstacles and oppositions that life can mete out. It isn’t even about who’s right or wrong–it is about seeking the truth that will set you free to pursue goals that are beneficial to you and to those around you. It is about hanging in there when everyone else says that it is time to give up. It is about clinging to hope when it seems as if hope has abandoned you. Word to the wise–hope never will abandon you as long as you cling to hope because hope is in Christ.. It is in realizing that faith and hope are the underpinnings through GOD’s Holy Spirit that keep you stable in a world full of instability.

You are now an adult making adult decisions and entering this arena called life. Think deeply about things; meditate on things; then trust your spirititual instincts. …”Whatever things are pure, think on these things”….

I will always love you, thatmelancholysoul, with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength because I am striving to be made in the image of Christ.  I do not expect perfection…I only ask you to strive for it.

Love, Mommy