I have the special honor of being one of the latest friends that Dr. Joon Choi made in his life. I first met Dr. Choi in a golf course several years ago. Back then, he was just one of foursome in the group, and I did not know much about him, other than he was Dr. Jay Moon's friend. As we played golf together regularly, I slowly got to know him better. During the time of our friendship, I went through some hardships. Those were difficult days for me, and I needed some distraction, mainly golf. Dr. Choi knew this and always made time to play golf with me. He was a dependable friend and a golf partner who knew just how to ease the hurt I was feeling. I was so grateful that he took great interest in me. Maybe, I was his good study case. Someone told me... if you want to know what kind of a person someone is, play a few rounds of golf with him, then you will be able to tell his true personality and character. I found out that he was extremely competitive just like myself, and regardless of our golf skills, we, both have shown many character flaws while playing golf because of our competitive nature. But at some point, I don't know when, we decided to ignore these flaws in ourselves. We had more important to things to worry about.... Like not losing the lunch bet or dinner, or a few bucks. In most of those rounds, we teamed up together and tried to beat our stronger opponents. In those times, we cheered and suffered together. We shared our joys of good shots and sorrows of poor shots no matter whose shots they were. There, in the golf course, we built our friendship. Now thinking back, it was only a game. It was only a meal. It was only a few bucks. Yet, we fought like our lives depend on it. Also, being many years older than I and being a psychiatrist and a medical doctor, he gave my wife and me many of good advices on life while sharing meals together. He was a good doctor. Not charging us was even better. He was not just a dependable golf partner, but a good, caring friend. Some people say golf gives us many lessons in life. I always take this to heart. When a round of golf is over, we just say to ourselves that it was only a game. Now, as I reflect our past together, it was only a round of life, and no matter how well or poorly we played in that game, one sure and only thing left from our struggles on the golf course or in our lives, for that matter, was our good friendship.
Memories
Thank you Sam for your thoughtful and lovely memory.
Ronnie
Doctor Choi, I remember the care and concern you gave me during my treatment with you. Thank you and Mrs Choi for everything you both have done for me.
Dr. Choi was my doctor for 37 years. After that many years of seeing Dr. Choi as a patient, We became good friends. Joon helped me to cope with life and was like a big brother to me. Joon knew me when I was without Jesus in my life and was hopeless. As the years when on he helped me to live long enough to accept Jesus into my life and my life changed from being hopeless, to being hopeful. For the last 30 year of my being Dr. Choi's patient many of our conversations were about God and Jesus, because I became a bible student, and eventually became a bible teacher, and loved to share the new truths I was learning with Dr. Choi when I saw him, such as God's holy Sabbath is the 7th day of the week, and that there is one God, and that He has a real Son, whose name is Jesus. . I asked Joon if he was a Christian, and he told me he was.So because Joon was a Christian we talked a lot about Jesus. I believe for the past 30 years we both grew closer to Jesus, our Lord and Saviour, and some day soon, I hope to see Joon, (Dr. Choi) in the kingdom of God where we can live forever with all our loved ones. I will greatly miss my visits with Dr. Choi till then. Joon knew me better then any other person on earth. I was probably Dr. Choi's longest lasting patient, being counseled by him for over 37 years, and I appreciated every counseling session I had. He was a great doctor, and a good friend. I will continue to pray for God's comfort, and blessings for his family.
Thank you Rick for your amazing reflection and memories with my father. He will always remember you and will continue to watch you from above.
Thank you Ronald for the very thoughtful message. Thank YOU.
Ohhh, my Dr. Choi, for over 30 years gone. My doctor, my best friend, who could make me laugh harder than anyone. He was the brother I wished I had, Mrs Choi a sister to me. My doctor, my friend for all the years our children grew, married, had grandchildren; it was a life 'shared' that that I will forever treasure. I will never forget him or stop missing him & my 'sister'. My doctor, my dear friend that really cared about me, as I always will care for him. marva ferguson