Please watch my update for "Life in Quarantine".

https://vimeo.com/denverchurchofchrist/review/416395393/d9d79a9422

Life has changed so much in a just a few weeks. In Denver, we have been in quarantine (Shelter in place) since March 25th. Even though we have never experienced a virus like this before, the world has been at war with each other in the past. Thankfully, these times have been a united war against a disease and not against one another.
​Please watch my video. Just click on the link above.

​Loss is a part of life. During my younger years, I experienced the loss of my mother, then my only sibling and brother, Hiroshi. This past year and half, I lost my second mother, Gloria, three dear friends and my two dogs.

It is not easy saying good-bye no matter how many times we face the death of someone close to us. The sadness can become extremely heightened during the holiday season. We know that we are supposed to be happy and grateful, but the memories come rushing back. 

For me, I can often isolate myself in my grief. I have learned through all of this that my friends and family are a gift. Every minute is a precious gift. I pray that if you have experienced grief this past year or so, you can find strength through the loved ones who are still with you. I think it's ok to be sad, if you miss those special people. Just know that you are not alone.

     ​Earlier this year, I wrote a blog about my grandchildren being born and how amazing that experience had been.  Since then, it has been over 7 months, and I have to say that it keeps getting better and better.  I enjoy and love every minute with these amazing grandchildren.  They bring out the best in me and help me to want to be my best.  No one ever told me just how incredible having grandchildren was going to be.  
    In the photo above, I am with my three daughters, Miyoko (29), Manami (27) and Mimi (18) and my two grandchildren (Emi and Lincoln).  I have loved watching my daughters and their husbands raise their children.  Of course, I love being a mother, but being a grandmother is something so special and wonderful in unexpected ways.  I get to have a “do-over” and experience motherhood in a different and fun way. I get to change diapers, bathe, feed and play with these babies while having a special connection with them which is different from being their mother.  What a joy and blessing!  I’m so glad that no one ever told me how fantastic this was going to be, because I have been completely surprised and continue to be surprised by this new chapter in my life.  I am so grateful to God…  

The top photo represents the skyline I remember seeing everyday growing up in New York City.  I recall walking one day to kindergarten with my mother and asking her what the two tall buildings being built were going to be. She told me that they was going to become some of the tallest buildings in the world.  
Close to three decades later in my mid 30's, I remember the events of September 11, 2001 like it was yesterday.  I was flying on a plane with my husband to New York City from Tokyo, Japan.  Our plane made an "emergency" landing in Canada with no explanation.  They did not tell us anything until everyone was out of the plane.  In the holding area where we were asked to wait, we watched with horror as both World Trade Center buildings collapsed in a cloud of smoke.  
During the following two weeks, our airline could not book us any flights into the United States from Canada, so my husband and I walked across the border into the US, since we were both American citizens.  What followed from our walk across the border was a long three weeks being stuck in the United States while my three children remained in Japan impatiently waiting for us.  However, during those three weeks,  I never felt prouder to be an American.  Everywhere I went, people stood and gave those who died a moment of silence. People helped one another and consoled one another.  America came together in a way that I had not ever seen... Now, living in the States again, I am reminded of what a great country I am a part of.  
My heart goes out to those who have lost someone on that day.  May their memories sustain you...

It's been over  a month since Lincoln Taka Williams came into the world!  He was born on March 13, 2016 weighing 7 lbs 1 oz.  I was blessed to be able to be with him for the first three weeks of his life as well as at his birth.  Miyoko, my oldest daughter, did really well during the labor as did her husband, Jason.  It is amazing to see the births of two grandchildren within 3 weeks of each other!  Little Lincoln Taka is such an active boy with a gentle personality.  He rolled over from his tummy to his back at two weeks!  He is all boy.  I cannot wait to have the Williams move to Denver this summer from LA.  It will be so good to have family nearby.  I am blessed!

If you have ever become a grandparent, you will understand when I say that there is no feeling like it!  Being able to watch your own child give birth to a child, was surreal and amazing!  I was in the delivery room during the whole labor and was able to witness my daughter, Manami, be a courageous and strong mother-to-be.  The longest labor that I had to ever endure was 8 hours from beginning to end.  My daughter persevered through over 31 hours of continual contractions!  She was heroic!  Then, when baby Emi cried out for the first time as she entered the world, I had tears of absolute joy.  It is truly a miracle to see the birth of a new life!  I am still in awe...

Frank and I have been trying to figure out why the bushes in our front yard have been dying.  We fertilized them.  We trimmed them.  We watered them.  THEN, my friend, Fiona, tagged me on Facebook with this photo that my neighbor took.  
All the deer have been eating our bushes! 
At least all our hard work to keep the bushes alive has kept these beautiful deer alive as well! 

We had an amazing four weeks in Africa.  Frank and I visited four different churches where I was able to do a grace series for the women, and Frank preached about being a Christian businessman.  We met amazing people in Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town.  Thank you to all the people we met in each of those cities!  We have new special friends in each of you!  You inspired Frank and me with your love, your sacrifice and your commitment to God!  Hopefully, we will get a chance to visit you all again!