師弟不二

I want to reply to Sensei. I have to reply.

This is a greater description of a previous post. Let me rewind.


On April 29, 2010, I reached Japan for the first time in two years. The very next day, I went to Shinanomachi. On behalf of my family, the YMD of Rocky Mountain Zone, and the youth members in my area, I went to Shinanomachi to present sensei with gifts. April 30: a day that now will signify the next step in my life.


But, nothing could be more touching then what happened this past Sunday.


In April, I presented Sensei with my journal, recording about a year's worth of thoughts, observations and ultimately my own commitment to advancing kosen-rufu. Specifically, I shared my own reflections on critical events--events since returning to Colorado which I believe indicate a traversing of my life's fulcrum and Rubicon--such as, but not limited to my pay cut, and subsequent layoff 7 months later, my obaachan's heart attack, a (still) difficult break-up, challenging my efforts toward July 2010, and preparing for my trip to Japan. This past Sunday, Sensei responded with a message in regards to my journal. He wrote:


"Thank you very much!  Please accept my warmest regards."


What almost everyone doesn't know is that this past Sunday signifies my obaachan's one year struggle of a heart attack (at the age of 84, now 85). Last year, on Saturday, September 19, my grandma was complaining of intense pain in her shoulder, and right before I departed for a wedding reception, I was massaging that very spot. After a few hours, I learned that that pain developed into labored breathing and subsequently she was admitted into the ER. From there, she went to the ICU, where she should have passed away. Instead she fought through it all.


Now, with Sensei's message on Sunday, to have him respond on the very day that marks one year since my obaachan's heart attack meant so much to me. It does not matter if he did it on purpose or if it was the work of the Mystic Law, it was a result of the causes I've made, my family has made since that time. My obaachan is battling her own demons, but in the end, I will cheer her on to victory.


Along with my journal, on behalf of the youth division of Wycoda Area, I presented Sensei with a youth division flag. He responded to that with a different message for everyone:

"Thank you very much. I have seen your flag. Please convey my warmest regards to everyone."

WYCODA YD FLAG

WYCODA YD FLAG WITH YOUTH LEADERS

Sunday night, I sent Sensei with a thank you memo. After his words, I had to. I could not hold in the tears for his genuine care for my family, and me. 

So, now, I am left here, contemplating my next step. Whatever I do, I cannot go with the flow of the times. Rather, I must advance beyond, adding to the flow with a surge of force felt 10,000 miles downstream.

師弟不二

Autumn is upon us - Sept. 21, 2010 ( I was in the passenger seat. Don't worry)