"Where we love is home, home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts."
-Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. (Homesick in Heaven)
Meet Akemi,
the Japanese woman who took me into her home
right after I graduated high school.
Now, here I am,
back in Japan more than 2 years later,
and she still treats me like her daughter.
After purchasing some home essentials for me,
and bags full of groceries,
she bought me a train ticket to Amagasaki
{her hometown}
and bought me a movie ticket
to see Avatar.
And then paid for my way home.
No matter how many times I insist I have money,
she waves me away
and hands the cashier her own satsu {bills}.
I'm so grateful for her,
and for the rest of my friends.
I miss my home dearly.
I'm out of my comfort bubble here,
but that's necessary if I want to grow up.
At least you know that while you're out there on the other side of the globe that you have a woman that loves you pretty much like her own child. :)
ReplyDeleteI have a dream of traveling to different countries! But out of most of the countries I want to see, I think the only language I'm really interested in learning is Japanese.
It sounds like you are having some awesome adventures and it's nice to have someone around who cares about you when you are far away from home.
ReplyDeleteYour last three lines sent a shiver up my back.
ReplyDeleteI said almost those exact same words when I chose to work at a new school instead of the one where my mom works. We can't really grow in the shade of the biggest trees, but we still need a forest or caring people around us.
You know I am so glad that you had such a good time and that you have a mom while you are here.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking today as I walked home from school about all the places my feet have carried me and the people I have met. I really feel grateful to be here in Japan, and it isn't because I am here (though I am grateful to be here), but the thing I am most grateful for is having you, Brooke, and Liz as my friends. I have made friend everywhere I have been, but so far I have felt somewhat disconnected to those friends. That is not true with the three of you. I feel connection with all of you, like what a real friendship should be.
Any way, it means a lot to me to have you as a friend and to be sharing this wonderful experience with you.
I love you Ashley!
Hey Chica! I love this post :) it's great that she still loves you and cares about you. I bet it's super fun! That food looks delicious! :D When you get back we need to have an all out japanese dinner night and then an all out french dinner night :) And then an England one :P hahha. I miss you! <3 ya bunches! *hugs*
ReplyDeleteAshley, sounds like your in good hands and you will have the time of your life.
ReplyDeleteI cant wait to hear more from you.
take care!
Barb....Ami's mommy BTW...she's going to be a mommy in June! Yeah!
Oh Ashley - Please give Akemi a HUGE hug from me. I love that woman!!!! Please tell her that it brings me much comfort to know that she is there and taking such good care of my (our) little girl (um... young lady) :D
ReplyDeleteShe has a very special place in my heart and I hope she knows how much her kindness to you warms my heart and brings me peace. She is such a God sent! ** Kisses & hugs to both of you **
Your blog is so well structured and has so much charcter to it. Its so intresting. I was at my school the Art Insisitue, and one of the graphic designers thought it was lay out was done beautifully. So cool !
ReplyDeletewhat a lucky woman you are to have such great friends when you are so far away. Someone is watching over you......... I'm so glad you are enjoying yourself.
ReplyDelete