On Monday, I went to Santa Clarita by train to see my aunt and cousin. She is in a convalescent home. I want to upload many photos to show them and other relatives, but for some reason, the photos I take come out crooked or ended up partial. Maybe there is something wrong with my eyes.
The photos below are from 1955. Their house was in Senzoku, Tokyo.
The photos below are from 1955. Their house was in Senzoku, Tokyo.
My aunt isn’t an aristocrat, but she is in spirit. She hates the word "obasan." I do, too, to tell you the truth. So, in my family and relatives, we call her Ruri chan. Her maiden name is Yamada Ruri.
Once we were looking at this photo together.
I said, “Aren’t those flowers dandelions? I never heard anyone make a flower arrangement with dandelions!”
She smiled and said, “Anything is okay.”
She doesn’t go by the tradition like my mother. She is right. Her free spirited arrangement is quite charming and still makes me smile.
Once we were looking at this photo together.
I said, “Aren’t those flowers dandelions? I never heard anyone make a flower arrangement with dandelions!”
She smiled and said, “Anything is okay.”
She doesn’t go by the tradition like my mother. She is right. Her free spirited arrangement is quite charming and still makes me smile.
Kenneth
I wanted to play with dolls. Guns and helmets didn't interest me.
My favorite time was to play with baby Risa. I used to climb up to their large armchair and sat down. Then my aunt would say, "Do you want to hold Risa?"
I nodded. Risa was better than any dolls I had. She lives in Hawaii with her family.
The dress I wore that day was yellow with black stripes, and the belt was black patent. My aunt had taken me to a store earlier and told me I could choose any dress I wanted. I looked around. I spotted a lacey pink dress like a decoration cake. After that, for some reason, I couldn’t look that way. I became frozen. She took time and asked me multiple times which dress I wanted. I tightened my lips. Time went by. I didn’t have the second choice or third choice. The pink dress was the only choice. I was desperate. I moved a little. My hand touched the dress in front of me.
“You like this dress?” she said and lifted up the yellow dress.
I gazed down. So she bought it.
That was long time ago. Now I think back, the dress looks quite sophisticated for five year old girls in 1955. I’m glad I wore that dress rather than the pink-decoration-cake like dress. I guess it always works out at the end.
