We Are Here Because of Our Predecessors

My aunt was temporarily back from the U.S., so I went with her last week to visit our family grave. She moved to the U.S. 58 years ago, the year of the Tokyo Olympics in 1964. It was not an easy time to go abroad.

It was a connection with the Catholic Church in my aunt’s hometown that led her to go over there.

At that time, the church was involved in many activities, such as summer school, and the priest was teaching American culture to the children in the neighborhood.

Because the church happened to be in the neighborhood, and because my grandmother and grandfather had contact with the priests, my mother and aunts were baptized as Catholics.

Through the church, my aunt went to the U.S. as an "exchange student" at a university on the East Coast.

My mother was initially chosen for this process, but my aunt was eventually chosen because she had worn a kimono in a photograph.

If my mother had been chosen, I might not be here now!

She spent a few years as a student there, and then married a Scottish-American man.

They are celebrating their 53rd wedding anniversary this year!

There are so many stories I’ve heard from my aunt, but there are a few have left a lasting impression on me.

1. At that time, due to fuel shortage, they had to fly to Hawaii once for refueling and then fly to Boston.

I can see how advanced airplanes are now. 

2. At that time, X-rays were required to enter the U.S., and my aunt took the X-rays with her on the plane with great care. 

3. After arriving in the U.S., she spent about a year crying every day.

I’m sure she was lonely because they didn't have many tools like we do now and communication methods were limited.

Also, it must have been difficult to live as a Japanese in a small community in the suburbs of Boston on the East Coast.

4. Drinking a Coke that a priest at church gave her and telling him that it tasted like gasoline.

(What does gasoline taste like, though? lol)

There are many other stories, but as I write these down, I feel that it is because of predecessors like her that we are here today.

We board airplanes and go abroad, enjoying work and vacations, and having cultural exchanges with each other. It is also natural for people to study abroad, work abroad, and get married internationally.

I especially felt this time that we should be thankful to our predecessors like my aunt, who were pioneers.

The black-and-white photo is of my aunt's departure from Haneda to the U.S.

My aunt is sitting in the first row holding a bouquet of flowers. And my mother is standing on the left in a sleeveless dress.

I think my aunt and those around her must have felt nervous and worried as she was leaving her family and friends for a while.

We didn't have too much time and couldn't talk for a long time, but I am very happy that we were able to greet our ancestors together and spend some quality time together.

I hope we will have the opportunity to hear more stories from our predecessors in the future!

Wishing you all a week with many smiles on your face!