So, as I start this journey, I want to give credit to those who have inspired and encouraged me. But of course, as I say thank you, you must listen to my story.
As noted in my earlier post, this site is dedicated to my mother. When Fuji passed away, I hid in my grief, wanting to bear it alone. I did not want to have services for her, but thanks to my brother, he insisted we do so. I knew there were others who were feeling the same pain, wanted to share their grief and pay their respects to my family, but I never expected the number of people in line and seated in the room. They, too, were feeling the grief. Family and friends traveled to say their good-byes and pay their respects to my family. It was deeply touching. To this day, I say, Thank You!
In my eulogy, I briefly told the story of who she was, what she meant to me and during that eulogy I remember saying, “She will continue to live in our lives with the stories you tell, so tonight, over dinner, tell a story about Fuji.”
This is the same advice I give to others who have lost a loved one: tell their story so they can continue to live on through you.
Not long after her passing, I attending a class where one of the assignments was to develop a goal list. On that list was to “become a storyteller” where the context was about my mom. Many thanks for getting me to write it down!
A few years later, I took an English class where I was asked about writing goals and ambitions. I told the instructor my goals of writing the stories my mother. I was looking for encouragement and assistance in writing. An although I did get any feedback, it motivated me to get started, here I am. Thank you for asking anyway!
I have told my close family and friends of this same desire: story tell my mother’s life, but I still had not figured out the format/platform. They have been the MOST supportive. I will thank them now, anonymously; and hopefully, in the future, with their permission, thank them publicly in a future post!
So… why now? I would like to thank my most recent writing class instructor and fellow students in this class. A project assignment pushed me to research a concept/idea involving professional digital communication. Through the sharing of my idea and their encouragement, I have finally decided to launch this blog. THANK YOU!
In my heart of hearts, I knew I wanted to tell my mothers stories. I reminisced of when we would share those moments and realized it was when we were watching movies/TV and making something. She was always crocheting or knitting as a way to pass time or to make a gift for someone. So this blog combines my desire to tell her stories, as I remember, and mine, as I am making some of my projects.
This blog is to showcase the many, TOO many things I have created. (See my project page.) Through the design and inspiration of many artists, I have been inspired by them to make and gift many items. Through the mentoring and teaching from my mom, I am able to share them with you.
My ultimate thank you and dedication is to my mother, Fuji. I wish to share with you her stories of growing up in Japan during WWII, meeting and marrying and American GI during the Vietnam Conflict, traveling to the United States in the early 1970’s, raising a family, working and retiring to raise my family. Thanks mom!
Thank you! I hope you enjoy.
Inspired by Fuji 