Screen copy this image, print it out, make a commitment and darken right pupil.
Tape it up on your bathroom mirror!
It’s important to me that I work to make a difference today in yours and my own life. Not only do stories engage us and our emotions, but I need “thinking” and “doing” to continue my fulfillment path of INFINITE PARENTING - passing on our heritage legacy to future generations for a better world - one small commitment at a time!
The phrase INFINITE PARENTING comes from SIMON SINEK who applies this principle to business and INFINITE not finite LEADERSHIP. "Finite" means thinking in the past. I like Adam Grant's definition and quote of finite: "Science progresses one funeral at a time". "Infinite" means going ahead with uncertainty, that I stay in the game win or lose at times, but I continue to learn from my mistakes and set the example of leadership/parenting for the future generations.
My challenge, to myself and each reader and listener, is to make a copy of my Daruma drawing, make a one-year commitment to your life path, darken the pupil of the right eye and tape this to your bathroom mirror. I will do the same when I get back home.
I'm in Burbank, CA, this week enjoying the graduations of our granddaughter from Chapmin U and our grandson from Notre Dam High School! Last night at dinner, my granddaughter, who already has a job, announced that she has another offer for a better job and more money. But most of the discussion was of leaving the current job with gratitude and grace as they have been good to her while she was completing her degree.
My own commitment is to develop my podcast this year, starting with STORIES AT THE PANAMA.
![Heritage remembered nurtures...]()
Heritage remembered nurtures our souls
Sense of self builds, pride sets goals
This week I’m doing an interview for the CRITICAL ISSUES for SOCIAL WORKERS program at Arizona State University. The main reason I am being asked is because Elizabeth Lightfoot, Director and Foundation Professor of the School of Social Work, has been my daughter, Kelly’s, best friend since first grade.
Liz, you may remember when Kelly was interviewed with KING5 TV by Lori Matsukawa for “Stars of Tomorrow” program in high school and they filmed the bathroom walls in our home. Those walls are still filled with a bulletin board of memorabilia featuring who we are, our heritage and sayings left by my husband who past four years ago.
I choose to play the “Infinite Parenting Game” of taking responsibility and leaving a legacy for the next generations. There is nothing more “fun” for me than to share stories, BE INVOLVED IN THINGS THAT MAKE LIFE BETTER and continue LEARNING TO LEARN. These are some of the latest sayings on our bathroom wall and mirror that reflect my new single life mantras.
Drawings left by my husband like the Japanese sayings, NANA KOROBI, YA OKI (seven times down, eight times up!) and GAMBATTE (keep on trucking) will be in the book. We are publishing the 250 cartoon strips Sam did weekly, for five years, in the North American Post.
The 1980 US census was analyzed by the Washington State Department of Education. One of the main reasons I worked to help develop the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington (JCCCW) is because of this research. Japanese Heritage census individuals were compared to several other ethnic groups including, American Indian, Chinese, Black, White and a few others.
This research suggested those of us with Japanese heritage were committing ethnic suicide because we are having the least amount of children and next to the American Indian population, out-marrying the most. But it also showed that we had the most per-capita income and white collar jobs. Therefore, I felt we had the financial resources and I was moved to continue sharing our heritage values for a better Washington and USA community.
In 2003, Lori Matsukawa and I were part of the original board and we are again on the current board of the JCCCW. Lori picks me up as we attend meetings and specially for our OMOIDE - Memories writing group.
The exciting aspect of doing this interview is that each of you readers and listeners are motivating me to organize my thoughts as we share our stories!!
![HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!]()
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!
“Mom, you should get your feet fixed!”
“I know, but I’m not in any pain. I just can’t wear heels. Guess I can’t wear open toe shoes either? Everyone asks me what’s wrong with my toes.” Mom 83 responded.
Daughter 54 decided, “I’m not going to debate anymore. I’m going to do this Hammer Toe surgery while I’m still young enough to prevent some of the deformity you have. I’m going to have both feet done at the same time so I only have to be laid up once.”
So, eight days ago Daughter 54 had her surgery at Swedish Out Patient in Seattle. And Butt-mobile is serving her well!
Then three-days-ago, an unwelcome visitor appeared - COVID. A trip to Bellevue Community College tested POSITIVE for Grandma 83 and Granddaughter 12. Daughter 54 and Granddaughter 14 remain NEGATIVE. Daughter 54 announces, “No way am I going to get Covid and not be able to go for my follow-up doctor’s appointment and take off my bandages.”
Typical of the Daughter’s efficiency of handling life, OPERATION ISOLATION is under way: A ZOOM MEETING is arranged for a family conference.
The basement and guest room becomes the Covid Free Zone. Granddaughter 14 announces, “Grandma, you and granddaughter 12 have to stay in your rooms, We all have to wear the N95 masks if we go out to the kitchen and only one person in the Kitchen at a time. No food preparation!”
Cousin brought over snacks. Neighbor and housekeeper have provided soup for lunch and Salmon for dinner. Front Door delivery for needed items. Such is life??
We’ll see if it all works out. Nothing like friends and relatives for putting Life’s Challenges IN THE BEHIND!
![HERITABE PRIDE - TOMORROW...]()
HERITABE PRIDE - TOMORROW'S GUIDE
“STORIES AT THE PANAMA” is being created because I want to BE INVOLVED IN THINGS THAT MAKE LIFE BETTER.
My husband, Sam, passed four years ago after 56 years of a wonderful partnership. Therefore, I’m continuing the stage we set for leaving a legacy for our two daughters and five grandchildren. I remember, the whole first year after our first daughter, Lynette, was born. I watched her hours at a time, awake, asleep, crying, smiling and thought: “A year ago, she was a nothing. What a miracle this is!”
I was 25-years-old and realized there was a good chance I would see great-grandchildren thinking, “What can I do as a parent to insure those great-grandchildren will be self-reliant, kind and successful individuals?”
In 1970, I was hired by the University of Washington Library Archives to start the “Japanese Collection” gathering and documenting the Japanese Experience in the Pacific Northwest. As a third generation Japanese American, most of us no longer maintained fluency in Japanese. I had lived with my grandpa when I was little and if I relaxed and tried, I could communicate. Completing several oral tapes in Japanese, of the first generation Issei, the grant funding ran out.
Sixteen years later, both Lynette and Kelly had left for college so I decided to get a Masters in Psychosocial Nursing because I love psychology, philosophy and pursuing THE MEANING OF LIFE for myself and others. Therefore, I learned the value of story telling.
In 1991, I decided it was time to create, instead of just collecting documentation on the Japanese experience. Chuck Kato, Del Uchida, Margaret Yasuda and I gathered in my Mercer Island house kitchen and started sharing stories of growing up as Japanese Americans. We published several OMOIDE - MEMORIES stories. Thirty years later, the writing group continues to meet every third Saturday of each month at the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington, from 1pm to 4pm.
STORIES AT THE PANAMA includes the general public. The Panama Hotel has a heritage. The ground and place in Seattle represents a Heritage. Current patrons and visitors of the area are invited to share their heritage stories!
Sharing stories and creating a podcast, in 2022, is where I choose to be involved in seeking fulfillment, on the HERITAGE stage at THE HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER SWEET.
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