Dear Grandmaster Kim Soo,
I know that you will not remember me. I took Chayon-Ryu from you in the early 1990's when I was in college as a young woman in downtown Houston. I began karate lessons with you, as I lived in fear and was eager to learn how to defend myself. I took lessons from you very late in the evenings and am humbled when I realize now how much personal attention that you gave to me. You built my confidence up, as you told me that you saw promise in me. You spent much extra time with me. I fell into hard economic times and had to move out of the city, but Chayon-Ryu stayed in my heart forever.
I moved to Wharton, Texas and sought out a Chayon-Ryu dojang there - none existed. I continued to practice what I learned under you, but life took over and I strayed from my karate ways. After a couple more years, I moved to San Antonio, Texas. I also sought out a Chayon-Ryu dojang there, and again, came up short. I knew that there was a void in my life from not continuing with your form of karate, and I was not satisfied to join another type of karate school.
Now, I am a 40 year old married mother and a successful business woman. About 2 1/2 years ago, I decided to fill the void in my life and begin martial arts. Again, I sought out to find a Chayon-Ryu school in San Antonio, but still none exists. I decided to interview a few different martial arts schools and systems and joined a Taekwondo dojang, where I have been attending faithfully 4-5 times per week.
Martial Arts has changed my life and has given me so much passion and improvement in ALL areas of my life! I am testing for my black belt in June and know that I will not only achieve that milestone, but I will also have achieved some additional martial arts goals that I have personally set. Because of my dedication to be the best martial artist that I can be, I quit drinking alcohol, I workout daily for health, eat clean, and strive to be a positive role model for everyone that I'm in contact with. Everything in my life has improved because I life the martial way.
I still have void in my heart, though. I can honestly say that I would trade my Taekwondo training for Chayon-Ryu in a heartbeat. I miss the traditional principles of the system that you have created and fill this void by reading the articles and information that you post online. Have you considered expanding your system to San Antonio, Texas? I would start over as a white belt all over again to study your system - in a heart beat.
The purpose of this letter is to thank you. I know that our time together was very short, but the time you spent with me had a lifelong impact. You are a very special person. I know that I would not be the martial artist that I am today without the foundation that you provided me with in my young and formidable years. THANK YOU. I have not only survived some pretty heavy losses in my life, but thanks to martial arts, I have persevered and have come out stronger. I wanted to ensure that I had an opportunity to let you know how you have inspired me. My goal is to continue to set new goals, to continue testing myself as a martial artist and to still be doing martial arts and the martial way - even when I'm 80 years old. I want to learn how to lead others to continue the legacy.
You are awesome and I've been amazed at all that you've accomplished as I've followed you through the years. Keep it up - you have no idea how many lives that your leadership has touched over the years! I'm living proof!
I wish you the very best!
With great respect and admiration,
Dedie
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2 comments:
Very heartfelt letter! Thanks for sharing.
Inspiring!
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