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A Gravestone for Kim

My son, Simon, was born to be an artist. I remember trying to dress him for first grade. He told me, “Daddy, this shirt and pants don’t match”. That was news to me. His older brother never seemed to mind how I dressed him. And so Simon went on to be an artist; with an art degree from San Francisco State and a master of fine art from Parsons in New York City. Nowadays Simon favors large scale art, especially art that can be viewed in public places. This brings us to his latest project: creating his mother’s gravestone.

It may seem like an odd thing to say, but tombstones and gravestones are certainly public art. They are artfully crafted, engraved with carefully selected words, and on view for all to see. In this project, Simon collaborated with his father to create something really special. As you look at the stone below, you can see a combining of the traditional with the original.


click to see larger image of gravestone

The face of the stone is 40 inches by 12 inches. Kim Foreman is on the left with the right side reserved for Chris Foreman whenever his Maker chooses to call him home. In the center you see an oval wedding picture made of ceramic. In the left corner is a more recent oval picture of Kim. In the center left is “Kim” followed by her name in Korean: “Kim Hyun Deok”. The name “FOREMAN” crosses the vertical face of the stone [which you cannot see] uniting the two of us. On the larger base stone are the words of scripture: “I have glorified God on the earth. I have finished the work that He has given me to do. -- John 17:4”. This is the traditional part of the gravestone.

Now it gets interesting. Above the center oval is a shining sun – the start point. At the bottom of the oval is the Christian cross – the end point. Connecting the start point with the end point and running along the margin are 48 glyphs [or engraved symbols]. These glyphs provide a narrative of Kim’s life. The first glyph is the Korean flag signifying her country of birth. The last glyph is an overturned car signifying the manner of her death. In between are symbols of family, travel, hardship, faith, and achievement. What makes the gravestone particularly interesting is this: Kim’s website is engraved-- www.kimforeman.com. If you –or any passerby– is curious, you can learn more about this remarkable woman from the internet. I think the techno-Kim would love it! Of course our challenge is to keep the website available for generations to come. Baby Lorenzo [glyph 45] will have to speak with his grandchildren. The gravestone should be in place at Holy Sepulcher cemetery in Hayward by the first of next year. Of course you are all invited to view it and remember the lovely Kim. And if you have any questions, check the internet.

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An interpretation of the Glyphs

Before eternity, both Kim and Chris were known in the light of God.
Before eternity, both Kim and Chris were known in the light of God
Kim was born under the Korean Flag. Her mother was a Pyungyang refugee-Her father a landowner's son.
Kim was born under the Korean Flag. Her mother was a Pyungyang refugee-Her father a landowner's son.
Kim began life with war raging between North and South.
Kim began life with war raging between North and South.
Her family owned an orchard with persimmon trees.
Her family owned an orchard with persimmon trees.
Kim's mother was her wellspring of faith, hope, love, and strength.
Kim's mother was her wellspring of faith, hope, love, and strength.
Kim's father and mother often quarrreled. Kim felt abandoned by her dad.
Kim's father and mother often quarrreled. Kim felt abandoned by her dad.
In the 1950's food was scarce.  The bag of rice was the medium of trade.
In the 1950's food was scarce. The bag of rice was the medium of trade.
Kim was the oldest of six children and early-on she took responsibility for 3 sisters and 2 brothers.
Kim was the oldest of six children and early-on she took responsibility for 3 sisters
and 2 brothers.
For middle school Kim traveled to Seoul and lived alone for a while.  The lion is the figure of Seoul.
For middle school Kim traveled to Seoul and lived alone for a while.

The lion is the figure of Seoul.
Motivated by her mom, Kim studied hard and grew into a scholar.
Motivated by her mom, Kim studied hard and grew into a scholar.
Kim graduated from Kyung Hee University in 1973, majoring in English and making many friends.
Kim graduated from Kyung Hee University in 1973, majoring in English and making many friends.
Kim began her career in Cheong Ju, teaching English to middle school boys.
Kim began her career in Cheong Ju, teaching English to middle school boys.
In 1973 Kim met a Peace Corps Volunteer named Chris Foreman.  They were married on March 23, 1974.
In 1973 Kim met a Peace Corps Volunteer named Chris Foreman. They were married
on March 23, 1974.

In September 1974, Kim and Chris moved to America.  Kim became a US citizen in 1979.
In September 1974, Kim and Chris moved to America. Kim became a US citizen in 1979.
Kim's first job in America was to Teach English as a Second Language. She did this at several places.
Kim's first job in America was to Teach English as a Second Language. She did this at several places.
Kim's first child -- Zachary Jinha -- was born on May 22, 1975, in Longview, WA.
Kim's first child -- Zachary Jinha -- was born on May 22, 1975, in Longview, WA.

Kim lived in Washington State about two years, where she was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Kim lived in Washington State about two years, where she was filled with the Holy Spirit.
When Chris joined the Army, Kim became an officer's wife living in Georgia, Virginia, Missouri, Wisconsin and California.
When Chris joined the Army, Kim became an officer's wife living in Georgia, Virginia, Missouri, Wisconsin and California.

Kim's second son -- Simon Peter Pyung Hwa -- was born on June 21, 1977, at Fort Leonard Wood, MO.
Kim's second son -- Simon Peter Pyung Hwa -- was born on June 21, 1977, at Fort Leonard Wood, MO.
Kim cherished her family.  Her two sons were a joy to raise.
Kim cherished her family. Her two sons were a joy to raise.

In Oregon in 1981, Kim bought her first computer; a TRS80.
In Oregon in 1981, Kim bought her first computer: a TSR80.

At Lane Community College, Kim learned programming.  The 0s & 1s are binary code for KIM.
At Lane Community College, Kim learned programming. The 0s & 1s are binary code for KIM.
For three years Kim was a doctoral student at the University of Wisconsin, commuting 60 miles.
For three years Kim was a doctoral student at the University of Wisconsin, commuting 60 miles.
Kim was very glad to earn a PhD from the UofW in 1988. It was in Instructional Technologies.
Kim was very glad to earn a PhD from the UofW in 1988. It was in Instructional Technologies.
In 1988, Chris was reassigned to Fort Baker in California and the whole family moved again.
In 1988, Chris was reassigned to Fort Baker in California and the whole family moved again.
Kim landed a tenure track position as a professor at San Francisco State University.
Kim landed a tenure track position as a professor at San Francisco State University.
Kim always dressed the part of an academician, enjoying an extensive wardrobe.
Kim always dressed the part of an academician, enjoying an extensive wardrobe.

She enjoyed living in Marin County, driving across the Golden Gate Bridge every day.
She enjoyed living in Marin County, driving across the Golden Gate Bridge every day.
Kim progressed to Full Professor in 1994 in the ITEC department -- Instructional Technologies.
Kim progressed to Full Professor in 1994 in the ITEC department -- Instructional Technologies.
Kim and Chris became soulmates. Their marriage prospered and was blessed by God.
Kim and Chris became soulmates. Their marriage prospered and was blessed by God.
She put God before all, reading her Bible and praying for her family.
She put God before all, reading her Bible and praying for her family.

Zachary and Simon were her treasures.  Kim loved her sons enjoyed their company.
Zachary and Simon were her treasures. Kim loved her sons enjoyed their company.
Kim and Chris and a mixed marriage.  She bought Apple computers and for him it was PC.
Kim and Chris and a mixed marriage. She bought Apple computers and for him it was PC.
Kim and Chris lived in Mill Valley -- near Mount Tam -- from 1992 to 2004.
Kim and Chris lived in Mill Valley -- near Mount Tam -- from 1992 to 2004.

Kim wrote articles for the Korean newspaper, often collaborating with Chris.
Kim wrote articles for the Korean newspaper, often collaborating with Chris

To promote her culture, Kim worked with the Korea Center in San Francisco.
To promote her culture, Kim worked with the Korea Center in San Francisco.

In 1998, Kim went to Africa for the first time as a missionary.  She loved it.
In 1998, Kim went to Africa for the first time as a missionary. She loved it.

INKO BUBU is a Korean phrase for LOVE BIRDS. That's a fair description of Chris and Kim.
INKO BUBU is a Korean phrase for LOVE BIRDS. That's a fair description of Chris and Kim.
Kim always liked to draw, especially faces. These illustrations came from her notebook.
Kim always liked to draw, especially faces. These illustrations came from her notebook.
Kim's continued her missionary work.  With Chris she founded Come & See Africa in 2004.
Kim's continued her missionary work. With Chris she founded Come & See Africa in 2004.
While Chris was in Seminary, Kim and Chris served at Tiburon Baptist Church.
While Chris was in Seminary, Kim and Chris served at Tiburon Baptist Church.

Kim was a big enthusiest for exercise. She did yoga, swimming, and dance classes at 24 hours fitness.
Kim was a big enthusiest for exercise. She did yoga, swimming, and dance classes at 24 hours fitness.

Chris was called to be pastor in San Lorenzo in 2005. Kim and Chris lived in the parsonage next door.
Chris was called to be pastor in San Lorenzo in 2005. Kim and Chris lived in the parsonage next door.

Kim always enjoyed writing.  She wrote endless diaries and attended numerous workshops.
Kim always enjoyed writing. She wrote endless diaries and attended numerous workshops.

In 2008, Kim bought a Korean car.  She was undecided until she read the initials as KIM IS AWESOME.
In 2008, Kim bought a Korean car. She was undecided until she read the initials as
KIM IS AWESOME.
In 2009, Kim and Chris moved from the parsonage in San Lorenzo to Canyon Oaks condo in Hayward.
In 2009, Kim and Chris moved from the parsonage in San Lorenzo to Canyon Oaks condo in Hayward.
Kim's first grandson -- Lorenzo Hugo -- was born on Feburary 8, 2009. She showered him with love.
Kim's first grandson -- Lorenzo Hugo -- was born on Feburary 8, 2009. She showered him with love.
The marriage of Kim and Chris was as solid as a rock. After 36 years, they had become an amazing team.
The marriage of Kim and Chris was as solid as a rock. After 36 years, they had become an amazing team.

On July 31, 2010 -- in Rwanda -- Chris was sitting in the front seat / Kim in the back.  The one would be taken and the other left.
On July 31, 2010 -- in Rwanda -- Chris was sitting in the front seat / Kim in the back. The one would be taken and the other left.

The circle of life for both Chris and Kim finds eternal fullfillment in the cross of Christ.
The circle of life for both Chris and Kim finds eternal fullfillment in the cross of Christ.