Grandma Soon

I have a pseudo-grandma who was a part of my family even before I was born. I wouldn't be born if it weren't for her... she played a major role in my parents' marriage. Yong Jun, my brother, and I wouldn't have gotten our college degrees without her sponsorship. And we wouldn't be who we are if it weren't for her consistent prayers. I didn't know her well because I lived far away from her but now I see her every Saturdays and this has become a dream come true.

Grandma Whang Soon Duk is an artist. When I was a teenager, I remember visiting her home whenever I would return to Korea, staring at the paintings on her walls, and wanting to know more about her abstract works and her life. I never imagined this would really happen.

This lady made major contributions to art education in Korea over the years. But now in her late 60s, she has had surgery on one of her eyes. I'm not sure what the disease is called in English but it is not one that can be cured. So regretfully she's had to end all private lessons and is even unable to paint her own works. It is very hard for her and her students, as you can imagine.

But two weeks ago, she called me and told me she wanted to give me lessons before her eye gets worse! I have prayed for this day for two and a half years! She has students who are already in art schools and wanting to continue lessons with her but she has turned them down because of her eye. Still, she wants to teach me. I can't tell you how honored I feel, and often shake my head in disbelief. I've had two lessons so far and have loved her methods of teaching and simply talking to her about the arts.

We are both praying for a miracle. If you believe in prayer, I'd like to ask you to pray too. She feels that she still has so much more to create for another 20 years but she needs her eyes to paint. I don't know exactly why our paths met and why she has invested so much into me, but I know without a doubt that there's a divine aspect to this. I know her life as an artist is not finished yet...

Click here to see her online gallery...
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