February 6, 2016
Dear Papa,
You blindsided me. I didn’t see this one coming. It was like a tsunami – it came and left so suddenly. And I am still trying to come up for air.
Thank you for hanging in there until I got to the hospital. I hope you heard everything I said to you by your bedside. When you quietly passed, you seemed very much at peace.
I remember visiting Ba-chan in Matsuyama when I was still a college student. She had shared your high school yearbook with me and showed me photos of you as the editor of the high school newspaper. You looked so studious and majime. She said you were always reading or writing. Ba-chan also told me when you were in middle school, there was a poster-drawing contest to celebrate the first ferry crossing between Yawatahama and Kyushu, and that you had won first place. She said she was so proud of you and told me you had artistic talents. I wish I had that poster. This probably explains why you took up oil painting classes a few years ago. You have one unfinished painting – no promises, but I may finish it for you.
9 things I learned from you….
- Laugh a lot – it’s good for the soul.
- Find a passion or hobby that you enjoy. And really work at it.
- Don’t stress too much – all of life’s problems eventually go away
- Always consider your options, then make a decision, and stick by it.
- Always do the best you can and just go with the flow.
- It’s OK to call politicians “bakatare” if you don’t agree with them.
- Keep up with current events – watch the news. Read the paper.
- Be an avid reader – it’s good for your brain.
- And lastly, drink lots of sake.
The house is jarringly quiet without you. Buddy-chan continues to wander around the house looking for you. Say hi to Mom, Jichan, Bachan, Uncle Seiji and Uncle Yoshio. I’m sure you folks have a lot to catch up on. As for me….I will be all right. Shinpai shinaide. I have Scott who is much like you – solid as a rock, kind-hearted, and insanely funny.
Your life was filled with music, poetry, and laughter.
Your loving daughter,
Keiko
