Good morning
everyone.
Last week, we had
2 wonderful guest speakers from our Dharma school students Kristi Morita and Courtney
Hori. I am sure that they were
nervous to speak in front of all of us.
But, they shared wonderful messages. Again, I want to give them a big hand…
Last Monday night,
some of you may know that… I was on TV for the KINGS game. Fortunately, Don and Marcia Matsuda gave
us courtside tickets. And next to
our seats, there were Sensei Patti’s Brother and father who drove up from
All last week, I
was very busy. I was busy because I
had to keep house… Last Saturday,
my Michi caught a cold and developed a sore
throat. She had to stay in
the bed for almost 5 days. And she
did not show up for even the last Sunday’s service.
Every night, she usually
makes a delicious dinner…mostly she cooks Japanese food... But during her sickness, I had to cook
dinner by myself. I like cooking,
so it was no problem to cook by myself.
She did not want to eat dinner, because she did not feel well at all. So, I had to eat by myself… Each night it felt so empty to eat
dinner without conversation…
Every Wednesday morning, the garbage
truck comes to our street to pick up the trash. Last Tuesday night, I was realized that all
of our waste baskets were full in our home. So, I asked Michi,
“did you take the garbage container to the sidewalk?” She said “No, I didn’t.” I collected all the trash from the of waste baskets in our home and dumped them into the
garbage container.
While I was doing
this little chore, I realized how much I have come to depend on Michi. Before I
got married, when I was single, it was natural to keep house by myself. But, after getting married, we began to
share everything, including the housework.
Currently, my main housework is only to do the dish washing.
It is easy to fall
into a routine and take for granted someone’s continuous help and support. But, when we lose that help and support,
we realize just how much we depend on them…and just how much we need them.
Just 2 days ago,
on Friday night, we celebrated Michi’s birthday. That night, I took her to a restaurant
where she wanted to go. While we
ate, I felt a deep gratitude for her and I realized just how much she always helps
me in my everyday life.
What I felt was
the feeling of “Namo Amida Butsu”. I felt
that just saying the words “thank you” were not enough to express my deep
gratitude
When we realize just how much we depend
on others, I think we cannot help but feel that deep gratitude that is… “Namo Amida Butsu”.
Throughout Michi’s time of sickness I realized the feelings of “Namo Amida Bustu.”
I’m so happy that she is recovered
now. But, I will try to remember and
continue to express my deepest gratitude to her.
Itumo Arigato.
I will always say Namo Amida Butsu
to you.
In Gassho
When someone’s help and support becomes routine?
We may easily begin
to take them for granted.
So please realize
how much we do depend on others. Especially within our family. When we feel such a deep and true
gratitude for them, let us say “O-Nembutsu”.