the slice
THE SLICE
Today is my mother’s 90th birthday.
I mention that so you’ll know why she might have concerns about her hearing.
You see, a group of Japanese students from Mukogawa were coming to the retirement community where my parents live. Someone asked my mom if she would be among those who met with the girls. She agreed, but wasn’t sure how it would go.
(That had nothing to do with my helpful suggestion that she mention marrying a B-29 crew member while an Army Air Corps nurse during World War II.)
But they hit it off. My mom referred to having seen some Friendship Dolls sent to America from Japan in 1927. And the Mukogawa students lit up. The warm welcome those dolls received here remains a big deal in their country.
Recalling the girls’ reactions made my mom smile.
Just when you think you’ve heard all the stories, a new one gets made.
Paul Turner