Flowers For Mom

Those of you who have been reading my blog for at least a year probably know that my mom passed away from cancer on Valentine's Day in 2007. Every year, on the closest weekend to Valentine's Day, we go up to LA to visit my dad and to bring mom flowers at the cemetery. So yesterday, Todd and I left for LA in the morning.

It was a really gorgeous day, sunny and mid-80's. Actually unseasonably warm. We got to my dad and Shelly's house, then drove together in our car to go to lunch at a new-to-me Korean restaurant called Han Sang. I really love Korean food because of all the little side dishes they give you. The whole table was full of food and hardly had any space left for our plates! I thought this food was really yummy. Todd said he got too spiced-out after a while. My dad and Shelly have been once before and liked it.










You know how you know ethnic food is good? When the whole restaurant is full of people of that ethnicity. That was definitely the case at Han Sang! Everyone there was Korean and spoke Korean. I thought the food was delicious.

After lunch, we drove to Rose Hills, my mom's resting place. That phrase seems weird to me. Yes, her earthly self is buried there. But her eternal soul has gone to heaven. To me, she's no longer here on earth. In fact, visiting her there always makes me feel weird because I just don't feel like I need to go to a specific place to feel her presence and love for me, and to remember her. But I continue to go because of my dad. I want to honor his wishes.

We brought mom some beautiful flowers.








Dad asked me to say a prayer on everyone's behalf, so I did. I thanked the Lord that she is up in heaven next to Him, so joyful in His presence. She spent her life serving the Jesus that she loved, so selflessly. I'm certain her reward is in heaven. She has a special place next to Jesus. I miss her so much, but I'm joyful that she's in His presence.  I didn't cry yesterday.  I don't like to cry in front of my dad, and he doesn't like to cry in front of me.  He did get choked up though.  I'm crying as I'm writing this... delayed reaction I guess. 

The day was so clear, you could see downtown LA in the distance.




Until we see each other again, mom. Until then.