In the theme of Mother's Day (NOT my Mother's Day post)

Summer 2001

Dear Cho, Kye Rim,

You may know who I am and probably you think of me as often as I think of you. My blood and your blood are connected in a very special way. I am your birth daughter, Cha, Young Sin.

I am writing this to thank you for choosing to give me life and giving me up so that my life might be better. It must have been hard for you to give me up. I thank God for you and I pray that you are doing well.

Sometimes, I look at myself in the mirror and wonder if I look like you. I wonder if I have your temperament or smile. I promise you that I will not disturb the life you have made for yourself now. I have no intentions of doing so because I know how hard it is to go on with life. I only wish to thank you for giving me life. I also am hoping that this letter will allow you some closure. I am doing just fine. My parents are loving and wonderful. They have told me time and again that if I chose to look for you, that they would help me in any way possible. They have instilled within me the difference between right and wrong as well as respect. They gave me a new name. My name now is R***** *******, but they call me Cha-chi as a nickname.

I hope that you would be proud of me. I am now attending a private university in the state of North Carolina. I am in the honors program and received a scholarship to help pay for my college tuition. I am hard on myself, so I personally could not tell you my good qualities. I do hope that I am making my family proud, and that if you were to see me today, you too would be proud.

Are you a musician? If you are, then that is where I get all my musical talent from. I sing and play the cello. I have been singing for as long as I can remember and have been playing the cello since I was twelve years old. My last year in high school, I would have been principle (first chair) in my high school’s orchestra, but we moved before I was able to obtain the honor. In college, I do not have much time for the cello, but have begun voice lessons.

Again words cannot describe how grateful I am to you for allowing me life. I hope that I have used this gift wisely and well; not to mention continue to use this gift of life well and wisely. Thank you for giving me life and a chance to live better.

Sincerely, R***** (Young Sin)