Japan with my Parents

It is a cold night in Kyoto tonight.  The calendar has now turned to December and the days are growing shorter with the sun beginning to drop behind Kyoto’s skyline between 3 and 4 in the afternoon. Heavy coats and scarves are all around to block the wind as daily commuters come out of the subway station.  It has been a damp, wintery day. This evening has been the first opportunity I have had to simply be quiet and listen to myself in the last two weeks.

I have just spent the most wonderful time with my parents visiting Japan after nearly half a year apart into my year in Kyoto. I am mindfully aware that this has been a once in a lifetime experience they would have never had, nor would  I have had the opportunity to share with them had I not followed the call of my heart to embark on this year long journey to Japan.

In just my last post I wrote about how after 5 long months I had finally lost sight of the shore I had left behind….something that has not come easily at all during the challenges and solitude of this journey I have undertaken.  And then my parents arrived.

We have shared the most wonderful time together in all of the years I can recall.  It was our Thanksgiving and our Christmas in Japan. We visited the beautiful gardens of the Imperial Palace, Ginkaku-ji and Nanzen-ji. We strolled along the Philosopher’s Path beneath the red and orange maples, we enjoyed fresh croissants and pastries along the Kamogawa River, visited two traditional flea markets.

For my dad, who is also an artist and craftsman, I set up a rare opportunity to observe and learn from a Buddhist Wood Sculptor.  We were served the finest of Japanese Green Tea from an old authentic Tea Master in his shop just a few blocks from my house.  My Mom had the opportunity to visit and observe my Tai chi and Calligraphy classes.   They spent two nights in a traditional Japanese home.  We laughed and cooked and shed just a few tears together in my tiny Japanese house, realizing that we could all joyfully co-exist as three people in a tiny Japanese home, even with a cold outdoor shower and an ice cold toilet seat. We enjoyed Ramen, Japanese comfort food, Udon Noodles, Sushi for my Dad for the very first time, Japan’s infamous Egg Salad sandwiches from . 7-11….and Ramen, and more Ramen.

The past two weeks have truly been one of the greatest memories of my life.  I cannot recall a circumstance in which my parents and I would have ever spent this concentrated amount of time together, living in a tiny space in a foreign country.  It was priceless. 

It was even more meaningful for me to see Japan through their eyes for the first time, remembering the confusion and overwhelm upon arrival, then seeing them discover and appreciate the beauty and simplicity and kindness of the culture and people here.

As my parents are now on their way home,  I am both overflowing with joy and yet also feel the weight their absence will leave behind here.  In some ways it may be more challenging now that they have been here in this other world with me.   However, their coming here, my mom’s willingness to overcome her fear of flying to come across the world to see me, out of her love, has given me the boost and resilience I will need to draw on to make it through the winter months and the remainder of my time here in Kyoto.  They have reminded me that I always have a home to return to at the end of my adventures and journeys.

My Mom reminded me that I have always been an explorer.  When I was little, I would have her read me the book “Henry the Explorer” again and again.  Then, at 17 I left home on my first adventure.  My parents and I parted with tears those many years ago.  We did so again today.  We have had many reunions and many goodbyes during the years since.  Today is another goodbye, but we didn't say goodbye this time.   I always find my way back home again.