*Arigato*

Tonight Shigetomi sensei never called and wasn't at his office at 7:15pm. So I made my way back home, depressed because I couldn't really go alone (I've only ridden there once and it was a blur). But as I put my key in the lock, I was ashamed...because no one was making me go, I was going to stay home. UGH! That's how I have always been when it comes to church or volunteering...When no one is going with me to hold me accountable, I have no motivation. So, I rode...without thinking....I didn't know where I was going! But, by the grace of God or repressed memories, I kind of just ended up there...

Tonight was the wrong night to come without an interpreter. Kanai sensei, 76, died on Monday. He was the founder of the center. So everyone was solemn and reserved, and I doubt they enjoyed having to try to explain everything to me by writing down broken English on paper. He had been sick (a smoker and drinker until changing his life around in the 80's) for a while and had been writing the church regularly until November 12, 2003. By then, he was too sick to continue writing, so he sent his final letter. Exactly 4 years later, he died. They said (as far as I could derive) that when he died, he kept saying "Arigato, arigato" and "his face looked like peace" ("like Cassie," she said!...maybe I misunderstood that part...). They read his letter aloud, but no one tried translating it. However, one girl (Junko..who never introduced herself to me and seemed a bit unfriendly), studied it by herself for a long time.

As we began distributing the food, Junko pulled me aside. She said (in great English!), the letter said: (paraphrase) "Thank you for everything. Please do not have a funeral for me. People die here everyday, so instead give back to them." Turns out unfriendly Junko had been focusing on translating the letter for me all that time! She was very sweet, but kept whispering when we talked and said "shh!" when I asked how she learned English (Very secretive about it?!!? Maybe she didn't think she was good enough? I couldn't figure it out).

Anyway, tonight, for the first time, we had leftovers. I was SO excited. On my way home, I always pass several homeless and always feel sad that I didn't sneak any back for them. So tonight I asked (through Junko) if I could take some of the leftovers. They gave me a lot and said I could eat it if I had extra  (or maybe they said don't eat it? I just heard the verb "Eat"). So on my way back I gave some out, but held on to the last two rice balls for a man I see every day (Kelly should remember him...he has the longest dreads ever and is usually chilling at 7eleven). After searching a few blocks (I was determined), I finally found him picking up cigarette butts on the sidewalk down the street from 7eleven. I gave him the food and he said, "Thank you very much!" He spoke better English than most of my students!

I love Wednesday.