Always Thankful

At this holiday time of Thanksgiving, I have much to be thankful for in my life. I won't start a list. And don't worry. Although I don't mention Art here, I do always count my lucky stars that he would come into my life and make it as happy as he has. When I told mom we were engaged, she was so happy she could hardly contain herself. She still lets him know how grateful she is for him even as her memory has been declining. 

Anyway... 

One of the things I'm so happy that Art and I were able to do for mom was to take mom and her sister, my Auntie Grace to Eiheiji. This is from the Eiheiji website:

Eiheiji, "The Temple of Eternal Peace", is one of the two head temples of Soto Zen. It is located deep in the mountains, near the northwest coast of Japan, not far from Fukui City...

This was in April, 2010. I think my grandfather was there sometime in the 1940s.

Mom and Auntie Grace's father was a zen priest who was trained there.

When I researched the temple, I learned that only relatives of zen priests who had been there would be allowed to spend a night at the temple. 

That's a photo of my grandfather at the Eiheiji Temple. 

Mom and Auntie Grace had a wonderful time with two priests-in-training who took care of us during the stay. There was a ceremony and we were all named. Not sure what they said, but mom and Auntie were thrilled.

I am so happy we were able to do this for them before Auntie Grace passed away. It did take a lot of planning on Art's part.

And here's mom absolutely ecstatic for her 96th birthday a month ago with one of her favorite grandsons. 

And another thing I'm thankful for is my brother.

He's always been my favorite brother. OK, he's my only sibling, but he'd still be my favorite.

Since we started our lives living in a plantation home in the middle of a cane field with no other neighbors for miles around until I was in 1st grade, we had only each other for playmates.

When we were in college Dennis roomed with Art and me for a couple of years. 

He and Art were and are best buddies and even did a "Round-the-Island" bike race together.

When Art and I left for Illinois, Dennis came with us for a road trip from California to Chicago. 

After arriving in Chicago, Dennis flew home to Hawaii. I remember feeling like an arm was torn off.

And now, here we are back in Hawaii again and I know he's always there to help whenever we need it.

Art also has just one sibling; his sister, Kay and they are also very close. Yes, her name is Kay too.

And now... what really makes us happy.

We have two children. Tiffany and Keola.

I'm sure I've written about this before but I just have to repeat it.

When we first brought Keola home, Tiffany was very happy.

But one night I heard her crying and went up to her room.

"I change my mind," she said. "I want a dog instead. You love him more than me."

I told her that Keola didn't belong to just Art and me, but he was also hers to protect and teach.  

And she took it to heart...seriously took it to heart. 

When Tiffany left for college, he wrote a beautiful letter telling her he'd miss her and asking who was now going to help him choose his clothes. "Certainly not mom and dad," he joked. I think he joked.

And now, if I'm frustrated because Keola hadn't written in a while or whatever, Tif would still defend him saying he's got two boys now... etc.

And yes.. friends. I'm thankful for all our friends and relatives. You know who you are. We have lifelong friends and relatives on the mainland and here in Hawaii and blogland. 

Yes, there is so much to be thankful for even though sometimes, the political climate looks bleak, there are always lots to make us happy. 

So I'm going to keep that thought with me as we travel into the holiday season.