Hey Jessie!
How are things at home? How is your daily life going? Daily life for me has settled in quite nicely.
When you’re in the same place, with a routine, doing the same things over and over again it can feel very comforting and familiar. Yet at times, we can get stuck into a loop where we forget to appreciate all we have. Would you agree?
This weekend my friend Mia from Tokyo came to visit me. In fact, it’s the first time I’ve had any of my friends visit the town I live in, so naturally I was thrilled! And also, a little nervous. Remember when I said I lived in the countryside? Yeah… there’s not much to do around me but visit a few cafes and walk around… and see old traditional buildings? Even though it’s something I truly find joy in, it can get a bit boring. It’s something that’s not for everyone, especially coming from the fast-paced lifestyle of bustling Tokyo. I wondered what Mia would think of my tranquil lifestyle.
However, I shouldn’t have worried because the moment I saw her at the train station, she arrived with a gleaming smile and bright eyes. That day, as we walked from my little apartment to each of my favorite mom-and-pop shops, she squealed with excitement. Of course, I love to shop for antiques like tiny, hand painted Japanese bowls or hand woven baskets to put my fruit in. So when I visited these stores for the first time alone, I was squealing in my head, not out loud. But as it turns out, Mia loves these things too! So, I finally had the chance to also squeal out loud and share my excitement for simple yet unique trinkets! It was astonishingly refreshing.
Walking along the cobblestone streets, I chuckled every time Mia exclaimed, “How are there not more tourists here! They should be coming here instead of Tokyo!” as we glanced up at the traditional Japanese homes with curved tiled roofs and rickety wooden support beams. As we wandered into a farmers market grocery store, with locally grown produce and handmade foods, we eagerly grabbed some seasonal chestnut bread, my town’s signature lemon milk (okay I’m gonna be honest I never had it before and not entirely sure I’ll get it again!), and some karage (because when would you never NOT want Japanese fried chicken?). Snacks in hand, we headed down to the peaceful road along the river and found a comfortable place to sit, eat, and chat.
Chomping away with the gentle river gurgling in front of us, koi fish bashfully poking their heads up as if to ask for a piece of chestnut bread, we chatted until the sun went down. It had been an already difficult weekend, since that Friday was the day of the anniversary of Andre passing away. But as I sat and watched the river water flow by and the sky turn pink, I felt in my body I wasn’t alone. I missed him terribly, of course. It had been five years since I had last been able to talk with him, hug him, or tell him I loved him. Despite the years of time, and with the pleasant company beside me who listened with an open heart, I found that my love still burned as bright as a roaring flame.
Remember when I told you in my last letter we meet unexpected people in unexpected places? Sometimes we find a treasure when we didn’t even know we were holding a scavenger map. You may not realize it, but you are never alone. Those who have left us, have also left us with people who remind us to love ourselves, the life we have chosen, and to be grateful for all that we have right in front of us. Just like my love for my city was rekindled and set alight once more.
I know sometimes it’s easy for you, like it is for me too, to get wrapped up in just the routine of daily life. But when you learn to take a step back, or rely on a friend to help you see all that is beautiful about the life you are living, you will find gratitude and pure joy at getting to experience this turbulent adventure of life.
I know things are pretty busy for you at the moment and might be overwhelming with the baby coming soon! I’m so excited for this next chapter in your life and I can’t stop telling all of my teachers and friends about how incredibly proud I am of you! I hope I can be for you the person Mia has been for me and tell you, that your life is truly thrilling and so incredible. I may not be there to hold your hand, but I can tell you whole-heartedly that I am so happy for you.
Wishing you all the best!
All my love,
Yoli-sensei
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