Grandma is GENKI

I was given one of the nicest surprises this past week! My Grandma visited me from Seattle, Washington! Let me preface this story by saying that she is 88 years old! That's right folks. 88 and looking FABULOUS!

She is traveling with one of her friends, Grant Hirabayashi, who is one of the most interesting people I have ever met. It was great having a chance to talk to both of them because of all the amazing things they have done in their lives.
First and foremost they belong to the Nisei(2nd) generation, which commands utmost respect from what they went through during WW2 and what they accomplished in the face of adversity. They battled blatant acts of prejudice and rejection from their own country. A country which, many of the nisei men fought to defend. However, in spite of it all the nisei remained positive and tenaciously worked to provide a better life for their next generations. During our conversations about their pasts Grant so wisely put it that, "It does nothing to be negative. So, of course we remained positive because we wanted to make something of ourselves." Needless to say, we could all do with taking a page from their book.

Actually Grant is being interviewed during about this specific topic by a school from a neighboring prefecture. He was part of the Merill's Marauders and has so many amazing stories it was a shame I only got to spend a short amount of time with them. However, if you google his name countless sites come up so I intend to read up as much as I can before I see him next time.

It was a really great little visit with Grandma and Grant. I am so happy that they got an opportunity to come out to Japan. We had a nice such and unagi (eel) dinner to celebrate their time in Kyoto. And like all my teachers said, "Your Grandma is GENKI (healthy/energentic)!!!" And its so true!!! Go Grandma!