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Mahalo, Grandpa Suyekichi Nakawatase!
Mahalo to my maternal grandfather Suyekichi Nakawatase, who left this world and was born in the Pure Land this day 70 years ago. I never knew Grandpa Nakawatase but his influence on my life is undeniable and I am grateful for his hard work, sacrifice, and passion to ensure the Nakawatase family got off to…
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My Favorite Painting
My favorite painting of all time, painted by our son (with the ponytail sticking out sideways). The brown part on the lower half wasn’t there originally–tropical storm Darby flooded the rental storage unit on Monday! Still lots of cleaning and salvaging to do but a good chance to dispose of things we no longer need…
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Bon Dancin’ as Buddhist Practice: Come as You Are
Shin Buddhists don’t believe Obon is when the “souls” of ancestors return, nor that memorial services, offering of lights, or other rituals benefit dead relatives. Obon is a time for us, who are living this unrepeatable life, to pause and reflect, to remember and honor those who have passed on before us, to appreciate all…
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The Things We Keep #49: Dad’s Boy Scout Shirt
Cleaning out the Kiyohara family home, I discovered my father’s Boy Scout uniform shirt carefully packed away in a dusty trunk, in the very back of the garage. Normally, I’d smile as I always do when given the chance to reconnect with Dad but this time was different. Having sworn the Boy Scout oath to…
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Chapter 17: In which we discover priceless treasures
Why would cousin Darin Daz Yamaga and I spend a week moving mountains of dusty, dirty, and endless junk? To rescue priceless memories, reminders that where we come from forever defines who we are. Holding grandma Kiyohara’s naturalization certificate, made me pause. After emigrating to America, working as truck farmers, then being imprisoned in a “relocation camp”…
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The Things We Keep #17: The Red Wagon
Cleaning up grandpa and grandma Kiyohara’s house of 100 years, I discovered our uncle had kept the Radio Flyer Red Wagon that dates back at least 60 years. All of the cousins played with The Red Wagon, imagining dashing adventures and daring acts of courage, and our now 88 year old uncle clearly could not…
JUST SAY MAHALO® 