737. Closing the Beauty Parlor to Help the Elderly Man Get Eye Surgery

💌 737. Closing the Beauty Parlor to Help the Elderly Man Get Eye Surgery

After Our Lady of Naju came to Korea shedding tears, countless pilgrims began pouring in every day and the beauty parlor was packed with people. Even before shedding tears, so many customers came to Jeong Beauty Parlor that they had to wait more than four hours. But when pilgrims started coming from all over the country, it became unbelievably busy.

Even in the midst of all that busyness, my heart was filled with a burning desire to help Andrew Bong regain his sight. Though I barely had a moment to catch my breath, I never neglected checking in on him. If I could not go myself, I made sure my mother or my children visited to help him. Then one day, when it became clear that nothing was working and his eyes still would not see, I made a firm decision—I would give him one of my own eyes.

More than anything, I wanted him to be able to see the world, even just for one day. With that hope in my heart, I willingly decided to give him one of my eyes. So first, I carefully brought it up with my husband to ask for his permission.

“Julio, I have a favor to ask you.” 

“What is it?” 

“I want to give one of my eyes to elderly man Bong.” 

Thankfully, my husband readily agreed.

I immediately went to Gwangju and visited Hong Eye Clinic, known as the best in Gwangju and all of Jeolla Province. After I explained his condition, the director said, “It is likely that his optic nerve is damaged.”

“Then... Would it be possible to give him one of my eyes?”

“It would probably be impossible.”

“Still, I will bring him here and see what we can do.”

“Yes, please do that.”

Having made up my mind to bring him the next time, I left the clinic. At that time, it was extremely difficult to run Jeong Beauty parlor, as regular customers coming to get their hair done were mixed in with crowds of pilgrims. But because of my love for the Blessed Mother, no matter how hectic or exhausting it was, I could joyfully offer it all up through Semchigo as if I were loved by the Blessed Mother. However, the employees who did not share the faith could not do the same.

When people entered the parlor, the staff would greet them politely, just as I had taught—“Hello, welcome!” But the moment they asked, “Where is the Blessed Mother shedding tears?” their tone would suddenly turn cold and curt. The hairdressers would roll their eyes and snap, “Go that way!” Startled, the pilgrim would ask, “Excuse me, where exactly?” and they would raise their voices, saying almost angrily, “I said, go into the alley!”

As a result, many pilgrims ended up feeling upset even before they had a chance to see the Blessed Mother. Whenever I was in the back room and overheard something like that, I would rush out and ask forgiveness from them:

“My apologies. Our hairdressers are not believers, so I hope you can understand.” When incidents like this kept happening, I came to realize that I could not continue running the parlor if I truly wanted to dedicate myself to the work of the Lord and the Blessed Mother.

Since I had resolved to help elderly man Bong receive surgery, I boldly decided to close down Jeong Beauty Parlor as soon as possible. It was partly to better welcome the influx of pilgrims but more importantly, if he were to be hospitalized, I would need to be by his side 24 hours a day and take care of him during his recovery after the surgery. After discussing it with my husband, I decided to sell the parlor without delay.

When I first started the parlor, I did not know what the future held, so I planned to run it for at least 10 years. Back in 1986, our parlor was very successful, earning a net profit of 4 million Won per month and attracting customers from all over the country. However, I was so eager to help Andrew Bong regain his sight as soon as possible that I put the parlor up for sale at a very low price. Because of that, many people around me thought it was such a waste and felt sorry to see it go.

But I practiced Semchigo as if I had sold it with the full value, and offered it up for the pilgrims and for his successful surgery, so I did not feel it was a loss at all. If it was for the Blessed Mother who sheds tears and if it meant helping open his eyes again—what could there possibly be that I would not be willing to do! On top of that, just imagining that even now, he was still living with rats made it unbearable. Even amidst the busyness, I made time to go house hunting and prepare for our move (from home in the parlor to a new house).

My personal reflection note with Mama Julia🌹💗 

Link 👇🏻

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScMn-IyINZ8oGN8Jv4M0-pozcdF67tEqzlPkk4s0EZKdnOdEw/viewform