As usual, life is so very busy. And since it's not quite the popular holiday in Japan as it is in the States, Mother's Day almost snuck up on me. Just in time, I realized it was coming up in a few days, and, through the magic of the internet, ordered some flowers on-line for both our mothers. (He calls his "Mother" and sometimes "Mother Dear", I call mine Mom.)
Well, I received a note from my Mom, and I was very pleased that she liked her flowers. It really makes me happy to hear the pleasure in her words. Here's what my Mom wrote: "Thank you very much for the flowers. It is the most beautiful bouquet I have ever received. It has dark purple tulips, some fern and some small purple flower clusters in a see through glass vase. It is absolutely beautiful. "
Jonah helped me decide what to send, and we chose tulips for my mother because she recently took a tour of the Holland Michigan Tulip Festival and commented how much she enjoyed it. I'm really glad she was feeling well enough to go. There was much walking involved, and it was a long day. It included an hour and a half long parade! Martin and I found that very interesting indeed, because we also recently toured a Holland Tulip Festival, this one in the Netherlands. Mom, I think you'll enjoy these tulip pictures taken by Martin.
The picture above is of my parents last year. The reason Dad has such a s*** eating grin is
because he goosed Mom just as the shutter clicked. Well, I'm sure glad they're still having fun together after all these years. And this other pix is of Mom with some of her grandchildren. She has... let's see... 5 children, 12 grand-children, and one great-grandchild on the way. I know, I know... she looks so young. Well she is. She's always been very active. So I guess hard work is the key to youthful looks. Thanks for always being such a wonderful Mother, Mom! Thanks for making clothes for my barbie dolls, and the little canopy doll beds you made from cigar boxes and clothespins, thanks for teaching me how to make cookies and cassaroles and how to can tomatoes, thanks for instilling a love of gardening, even though it meant snipping tons of green beans, thanks for dealing with me during my teenage years, (like on the first day when I had my learners permit, and you let me drive your car, and I drove it into such a deep ditch that we had to crawl out the windows and call a tow truck to get it out...)etc. etc. etc., thank you for coming to Tokyo a few years back, I know it is a difficult trip, but we had such a nice time together. I'll always treasure those memories. Thank you forever. Here's a few pictures from my Mom's visit to Tokyo in October, 2002.
For Martin's Mother, Jonah and I chose a bouquet of roses that also came with chocolates because we know she has a passion for both. Here is the nice note she wrote: "Yesterday FTD delivered a giant box to me filled with a dozen roses and a box of Godiva truffles. The enclosed card said "we hope you have a lovely day. Love the Tokyo Murrays". How could I not have a lovely day after receiving such a wonderful Mother's Day surprise! Thank you so very much. I snipped off the ends, put the varied-colored roses in a vase with the greenery and special packet of food in the water. We put the dozen roses on our porch and this morning the buds are opening and smell so fragrant. What a thoughtful gift!"
Well, she is a very thoughtful person herself. She sends cards for every 
special occasion and she is very good at keeping in touch via frequent email updates. When we visit Colorado, like we will this summer, she always plans fun outings and makes nice meals. The picture above is of my beautiful mother-in-law, Martin's father and the four grown children. What a nice set of smiles. The other picture is of her with her singing group. She is furthest to the left. On this particular occasion, they were performing for the opening ceremony of the Blind Olympics held in Colorado Springs a couple of years ago. She has a lovely voice and we always enjoy hearing her sing whether it be in church, on stage, or around the house. And here's an extra special treat for you, Mary Kay. I heard about it from Miyuki-san and I just have to share it with you. IRONING a Japanese shirt
Both these wonderful mothers have taught us by their example to work hard, deal with sometimes very significant difficulties while maintaining a sense of humor, and always, always love the children. I very much look forward to seeing them both again this July. We will see Mom in Michigan, and then Mother Dear in Colorado.
この物語は母とマーティンの母についてです。６年間前に日本に来たから、今度あまり会わないので、毎夏でアメリカに行ったときに一つずつ家族に一週間、二週間ぐらい滞在します。今度少しい日本語を書いたので、次のは違いますね。
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