A Wonderful Gift

I've received lots of great presents throughout my life. The Christmas season always seemed a time of family, good food, and gifts under the tree. While I've appreciated all of the gifts, I am sure that some have been forgotten through time, unfortunately. But, one gift that I still carry with me is the membership to Chayon-Ryu from the Christmas of 1992.

Every year my mother would ask me the same question, "What do you want for Christmas this year?" After I finished the Fall 1992 semester taking the University of Houston martial arts class, the answer seemed obvious. Both myself and my father wanted a membership back with Chayon-Ryu.

As soon as the downtown Chayon-Ryu dojang was open following Christmas break of 1992, my father and I would make the ½ hour drive each way three times each week to train with Grandmaster Kim Soo. Many times I would train additional days during the week, and was occasionally reminded by Mrs. Kim that I was only getting credit for 3 classes each week.

English: Santa Claus with a little girl Esperanto:...

Christmas gifts.

Kim and Kriss at Trona Pinnacles

I didn't mind, because I was training for knowledge and enjoyment, not for credit.

That Christmas gift continued to give for all of 1993 and I progressed from yellow belt to blue belt. The gift was always with me and served as a "safe haven" away from the stress of school and work, or any other frustrations in my life. Often, I would arrive at the dojang 1 class early, just to spend that time cleaning, meditating, and training. Those times, just as much as the formal training, helped me find the answers to my inner 'questions' and life-balance. When the winter months came around again I didn't have to wait for my mother's "Christmas question." I told her in advance what I wanted - another...