98. Dear Mom

What's prompted me to write this letter is the fact that I've been writing a book called "A Mother's Diary, or Growing Up With My Children." Journeying back through time, I've come to realize that what I learned, from you and Dad as my parents I unconsciously put into practice, with my own children, who have given me untold blessings. The "Circle of Life" continues.

Both you and Dad practiced parenting by not telling us what to do, when to do, or how to do. True, Dad wasn't happy, when I changed my major from Dental Hygiene to Art, but you never said a word. In fact, I don't recall that I ever once heard you raise your voice at any of us. You simply always said you trusted us and that we would have to be responsible for our own choices, that we would each have to live our own lives. At the time, I thought it was because you didn't care. I've come to learn that it was the greatest gift a parent can give a child; complete faith and trust in them, the freedom to be, without restriction.

When Kurtis walked in with green hair that one day, Dad just looked, nodded his head and beamed. There was no comment, no questions, just acceptance. You didn't miss a beat either. My sons know well how I was raised.

Recently I received a "love letter," from Kurtis and I thought it was time I write a similar letter to my mother.

At 82 years, you are not only proof positive of age as just a meaningless number, you are an inspiration to all. I still have one more year before I take up jogging, the age you began, but I'll be there in spirit, when you run your... is it your tenth 'Bay to Breakers' 10K?

Not only are you my inspiration, you are my guiding light. Thank you for the great genes, thank you for being my mother, and thank you for being YOU!!!

I love you, I'm proud to call you my mother, and I couldn't have chosen better grandparents for my sons.

Your eldest daughter, Judi Sachiko

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