Remembering My Mom and Donuts

The month of May brought my copy of a new novel, Of White Ashes, written by dear friends #ConstanceHayes Matsumoto and #KentMatsumoto. This historical novel tells parallel stories of a Japanese American girl experiencing internment in Hawaii and a boy growing up in Japan during WWII. When they meet many years later, they are drawn to each other but are haunted by past trauma from each of their life experiences. This book is inspired by Kent’s parents and their love story.  It is a deeply moving read.

I have been reflecting on the resilience of my own mother recently. She passed away a few years ago.

During her eulogy, I read an excerpt from my elementary school picture journal (the original Instagram!) from my time as a 1st grader in Korea. I held it together during the service, but once I told this story, I lost it. In the journal, I had painted a picture of the time when I came home from school and told her I was craving donuts. She quickly moved into action by finding the flour, baking powder, eggs, and sugar in the kitchen and fried up a batch for me. It was an act of pure love – she was the kind of mother who delighted in doing things that brought us joy. I don’t know where she found the recipe and how she whipped up those delicious morsels, but I remember how the donuts tasted. 

I honor her and all of you who are mothers or mother figures who do the heavy lifting behind the scenes,  juggling, multitasking, and showing up to work every day. We see you. Thank you, Mom, for showing me unconditional love and making me donuts. I miss you every day.