"The Letter"

Who would have guessed that an old, undated letter from Okinawa would be the link to the past? A letter that would bring those who have lived in times far different from ours to life--and all through a simple email request from Dad, asking Jun to translate an old Japanese letter into modern English. Now this letter bonds our family together in a quest to unravel an exciting mystery of our heritage and past!

This is very much in answer to questions I posted in an earlier blog "We Were Here." In that blog, I opened left the door open for comments about our life's journey, and the "messages in stone" or legacies that we should record and leave with our loved ones to show that "We Were Here!"... legacies that would inspire our future generations with a sense of passion and purpose!

Little did we know that we would discover such a "Message in Stone." Below you will find the emails and translations that started it all! I would like everyone to contribute to this blog by telling their side of the story--Aunty Amy, your conversations with Jeanette Lee at Aunty Adele's funeral ... Dad, your conversations with Aunty Amy and Grandma Masako ... and the finding of ... The Letter.

The Quest is on!

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Date: Sun, 18 May 2008 19:30:20 -0700
From: lyonashiro@yahoo.com
Subject: Mata Onegaishimasu
To: junito610@hotmail.com
CC: vickie_ito@hotmail.com

Hi Jun!

I hope things are going well for you and Vickie. We enjoyed our trip to Utah. Thank you both so much for taking such good care of us when we were there.

Sorry, I have another request for translation for my Mother. There is no rush, and please only do it if you have the time.

We believe this is an old letter from Hiroko Teruya? from Yonabaru in Okinawa. We are trying to find out if she is the person that took care of our Uncle Adaniya on his trip to Okinawa. Please also let us know if there is a date in this letter. Also, we're not sure of Uncle Adaniya's first name, maybe Kame? Uncle Adaniya was married to Chio Yonashiro, my father's sister. Their children are Donald (Noboru), Gladys (Yuriko), and Jenette (maybe Hiroko?).

Please verify the name of the lady that took care of Uncle Adaniya. We need to find out if she is still alive. Uncle Adaniya, Chio, and Gladys have already passed away, but Jennette wants to find out.

So, onegaishimasu! When you have the time, please translate as much as you can of this letter.

Thank you so much.

Dad

From: junito610@hotmail.com
To: lyonashiro@yahoo.com
Subject: RE: Mata Onegaishimasu
Date: Sun, 18 May 2008 23:07:56 -0600

Hi Dad,

This letter was written by Ushi, who is the mother of 2 daughters, Eiko and Hiroko. All three of them live in Okinawa. Ushi's family live in Hawaii. Noboru is her younger brother. She also has a father, mother, and younger sister(s), who are mentioned in the letter, but not by name. It looks like everyone but Ushi was able to go to Hawaii. We don't know the reason why she was left behind, but it sounded like it was due to the family's indigent circumstances. She does mention 'Grandma and Grandpa Yonashiro,' who we think were in Hawaii at the time.

There was one kanji that we didn't know--indicated by a (--) sign. They saw (--) of Grandma and Grandpa Yonashiro (something that they possibly made) and Eiko received a (--) machine.

Please see attached! (see below!)

Thanks!

Jun

Jun's English Translation of The Letter...

Page 1

It’s now into the rainy season and we’ve been having a gloomy weather over here. How are you doing in the island of Hawaii? It’s been a while since I contacted you. How are father, mother, and my lovely sister(s) doing? The three of us, as a family, are enjoying our lives, so please don’t worry about us.

I have been separated from father since I was little, and I have only seen his face in the picture, so I recognize his face when I see the pictures. But, it is my strong desire to see my father in real life and talk to him about many things.

When my lovely brother visited Okinawa, when I saw him, I felt so glad, and also had sort of a melancholic feeling that I couldn’t even sleep that night. Father, Mother, like many others, I sometimes worry about things in my life, but I feel that I am a really happy person. My brother “Noboru,” whom I saw for the first time, is very smart and treated me as a real sister. In addition, he also took a good care of Eiko and Hiroko. Even though it was a short visit, my heart is filled with gratitude like I can’t describe in this letter.

Page 2

I guess this is because Noboru is such a man of character, and also you, Father and Mother, you two must have told him that I am a real sister of his. There is no joyful thing better than this. I strongly regret that I missed the opportunity to tell him how I feel. Since I feel happy to know that I had such a wonderful brother, please tell Noboru how happy I am to be able to see him. We had a wonderful time together going on a picnic.

Hiroko just started going to high school. I’m planning on working hard because I want her to have a good education, not like me. Because Eiko was born as an older sister, we couldn’t really help her because of the life style we had back then. But now, since Eiko is helping me a lot, I’m hoping that a least my youngest one will have an education. If I said this, it might sound ironic to you, my father, but that is not my intent. As a parent myself, I understand the love parents have towards their children. Back then, in that situation, it couldn’t be helped. But, please good take care of my younger brother and sister.

Page 3

Please tell them that I saw (----) of Grandpa and Grandma Yonashiro. I almost forgot this because my letter is so lengthy—I received $20 from Noboru and $30 from Father and Mother. Eiko and Hiroko were so overjoyed and excited! Eiko received a (-----) machine and Hiroko got a bag and a big present. Please imagine how happy they are.

For now, please take care of yourself. Under the Okinawan sky, I pray that you have wonderful days.

To Father and Mother, and my lovely sister,

From Ushi, Eiko, and Hiroko

Until next time, Sayonara.

Date: Sun, 18 May 2008 11:48 PM
From: lyonashiro@yahoo.com
Subject: Doomo Arigatoo Gozaimashita!
To: junito610@hotmail.com
CC: vickie_ito@hotmail.com

Jun!

Thank you so much! That letter brought tears to my eyes. This must have been right after the war, and as you know, Okinawa was devastated. There was so much poverty and suffering. Yet the letter seemed so uplifting and bright, amid the darkness that you know was all around them. Good job on the translation! I think you captured the mood of the letter very well. You are a very good writer!

Now I am really interested! We need to find out if there are more letters from Hiroko. What happened to her and her family? Is she still alive? What has become of her children? And who exactly is Noboru - is he Uncle Adaniya? And how does that make her related to my Obaban and Ojichan? The letter seems to be addressed to them, and yet, it was sent to my Mother.

Now I have a flood of questions. This is like a portion out of a wartime novel of Okinawa!

Thank you so much! Now the investigation begins....

Love,

Dad

We Were Here!

This is where I was a year ago, when, on a hot summer day in May 2007, Liz, Jun, and I went hiking up a trail by the Red Butte Gardens behind the University of Utah.

Near the top of the trail, there was a pile of red rocks.

I can't remember if it was me or Jun who picked up a stone and wrote "Vickie was here!" on a stone tablet,


but it showed our human tendency and desire to want to leave something behind in our trek--to show that we had made it...and that we had been here!



The hike itself was like a journey of life...

it started off flat and easy-going, with scenic and pleasant landscapes,
...and then gradually became more and more steep. There was sweat on our face from the combination of physical exertion and the heat of the sweltering sun.

Paul Coelho in his book The Alchemist, said that "Every search begins with beginner's luck, and every search ends with the victor being severly tested."

There were some very steep areas on the side, that we only ventured up partway just for fun and to get some good photo shots!


At the top and end of the path, we were welcomed with an amazing view of the valley below, a strong, cool breeze, and make-shift stone chairs--a real treat. It was definitely worth the trek.


It's amazing to think that this was only a year ago. How fast time flies by. I like to see life as a journey that is full of many wonderful experiences and challenges. Paul Coelho called this journey a "search" or "quest."

As I open up my first blog, I would like to open up the floor with 3 thoughts...

*In this journey we call life...what "message in stone," or legacy should we record and leave with our loved ones?


*What is your "search" or "quest" that drives you to keep moving forward through those times when the rocky roads seem endless?
*What can we do to show that "We Were Here!" and made a difference in the lives of those around us?

Answer one or all questions! I'm interested in seeing what all your responses are!