Precious gifts

We give special thanks for the precious gifts that we have been given.

My first stop in Japan was visiting Amara's long time friend, Chieko -- such a special friend that she is called Amara's Okaasan.  When I left I was given 3 face masks -- even in the middle of February, there were a precious commodity.  Although they are not supposed to be reused, I did reuse them and kept one unused for the trip home.  She also gave me a pair of lacquer chopsticks -- and later in Kyoto, I visited a lacquerware workshop.  And she gave me a pair of chopsticks for Will, though she never got to meet him.  We left in a hurry, and did not get ourselves any souvenirs -- so these chopsticks will be great reminders of the trip.

The second stop was visiting my long-time colleague, Koichi.  We have kept in touch and worked together for more than 30 years at this point.  From him we got not only nice memories of him, his wife, his daughter and his grandchildren, and nice memories of our trip into the countryside, but also three small (suitcase-suitable size) tiles.  Again, these serve as the souvenirs that we did not buy.

On their way out of town, Calli and Keith shopped for groceries for us.  Since we are keeping to ourselves for 14 days of self-quarantine, we visited through the window.  Good food to nourish us and to keep up our immunity.  Calli and Keith have been loaned a car, and loaned a house in South Carolina.  Working "from home" can take place most anywhere.  They will be able to spread out more than in their tiny apartment. 

A few days after we came home, Joe came by with two rolls of toilet paper AND two homemade masks that Debbie had made.  There were three rolls left in the house when we arrived -- with two more, we are in good shape.  And the homemade masks will be good in another week when we will take our own trip to the grocery store.

And yesterday Jim brought us another set of groceries.  I gave him some rather general directions because the supplies in the stores are limited.  For leafy greens, we got both Romaine lettuce and swiss chard!  I also asked if Jim had any seeds.  Watching something grow could be very cheering in these isolated times.  From his gift, I have planted sugar peas, sweet pea flowers, and sunflowers.  And he shared his supply of malt for baking bread.  Stores do not have whole wheat bread, but I have some left, and the first two loaves have been good. 

We are very fortunate to have such good friends around the world!