724. "I Cannot Live In a World Without You Anymore."

💌 724. "I Cannot Live In a World Without You Anymore."

Before leaving for Manila to attend the unveiling ceremony of the statue of Father Andrew Kim Taegon, I prepared food and necessities for elderly man Bong for the time of my absence. I told him, "Grandpa, I have to go abroad for a little while. I will be back in two weeks, so please eat well until then." He was so shocked and responded, "Oh dear, Ma’am, what are you saying?"

When I said, "Do not worry, Grandpa. Even if I am not here, the rest of my family will come by," he began to cry and worried said, "What if I die before I see you again?" I comforted him, saying, "Oh, Grandpa, you will not pass away. I will pray a lot for your health, so please pray too. Please practice Semchigo as if I am still with you and hang in there briefly."

At that time, I was trying to help him receive baptism by teaching him prayers like the Lord's Prayer and the Hail Mary. I told him, “Grandpa, if the prayers are too difficult, just say 'God the Father! Blessed Mother!’” Before leaving for Manila, I asked my mother to take good care of the elderly man while I was away.

Leaving elderly man Bong behind in tears and worry broke my heart. Throughout the overseas trip, I kept on praying to the Blessed Mother that he would stay safe and well. Even amid my busy life with the beauty parlor and church activities, I visited him every night. Sometimes, I was a little late when my pain was especially intense.

He would always say, “I was afraid you had forgotten me,” because he was always waiting for me whenever I was late. That made me even more anxious. As soon as I returned to Korea, the very first thing I did was run to see him. “Grandpa! I am back!” I said. “Oh, Ma’am! Why did you take so long to come back?” he cried as he turned his head toward the sound of my voice, his eyes swollen from crying.

My heart ached. “Grandpa, why did you cry so much?” I asked. He replied, “Ma’am, I cannot live in a world without you anymore. My only prayer to God was, ‘Please bring her back quickly.’ Even holding my rosary, even while cooking, all I could say was, ‘Please bring her back quickly.’” His heart was like a little child desperately waiting for his mother.

Then he added, “Not seeing you for 13 days—I thought my eyes were going to rot from crying so much.” He seemed pure and innocent at that moment—just like a child or an angel. I could not help but find him so deeply lovable. He and I held each other tightly and cried together. “Oh Lord! Please watch over, protect, and care for him until the day You call him home. Amen.”

My personal reflection note with Mama Julia🌹💗 

Link 👇🏻

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