The
first words I'll write is that I loved my Bachan very much. She was at
each milestone in my life, at my high school graduation and then at my college
graduation at Mount Holyoke.
And
I was there when Bachan went back to a past milestone: Heart Mountain
Relocation Center in Wyoming which was one of the 10 concentration camps where
the Japanese-Americans were relocated to during WWII. It was also where Bachan
gave birth to my Mother.
I’ll
never forget the remote and vast emptiness where Bachan and the family were
interned for years in the middle of nowhere just outside of Cody, Wyoming.
The blistering heat was almost unbearable, I remember not even wanting to
get out of the air conditioned rental car.
It
takes a person with a strong constitution to survive the incredible heat in the
summers and harsh wind and freezing temperatures in the winters of
Wyoming in the poorest of living conditions for not one but many years.
If you consider what we’re used to living with today, you can begin to imagine
the strength and determination it took to care for two young children with only
the most basic of conveniences.
I
also admired Bachan for her solid work ethic. Whether working on a flower
farm growing up, at Aki's restaurant or Gichan's mise, Bachan worked hard. And
growing up she said it was likewise my responsibility to study hard.
One
of my favorite memories is when Bachan took the eldest cousins to the sunny
Bahamas so that we could all create some wonderful memories and experiences on
vacation together at this amazing resort right on the beach. It’s there
that I first tried scuba diving, which I still enjoy today.
In
fact, my love of scuba diving ultimately led me to Australia where I dived the
Great Barrier Reef and then later decided to come back ... and now I work and
live here. So you could say, Bachan played a pivotal role in setting the
direction of my life… and my vacations as they almost all involve scuba diving!
My
favorite photo is of us in a hammock in the Bahamas. I remember it was a
gorgeous sunny day and we were relaxed and giggling as we tried to get the
balance right so we didn't tumble out of the hammock.
There’s
nothing like a smile, a hug and a kiss on the check from Bachan.
I
love and miss Bachan and wish she were still here so I could give her another
hug, a kiss on the cheek and see her smile again.
Love,
Masa
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