Worthwhile Form of Writing

You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.
-Buddha

I love Thursday when I go to the school near Polk Street to inspire the 4thand 5th grades students to write via the THINK/WRITE Program in San Francisco.   I was one of the lucky selected business people via this program to visit a local public school one day a week.   I brought in a bunch of postcards and had each student spend time writing on the back of the postcard to ANYONE they choose.   Many of them chose to write to me.   I loved reading what they wrote.   I tried to encourage them to take the time to write postcards to friends and family, explaining that this is a unique and worthwhile form of writing.

Postcard from Steven Antol of THE GREAT BUDDHA of KAMAKURA in the time of Cherry BloomMichael,
I just laid down for a nap and four of your cards were slipped under the door.   I read them all and then took a rest.   The cards were great.  Thanks.

Today is my last day off of three.   I didn’t do much but workout, study and eat.   I’ve found a few little places I like to eat Japanese food.   Hey, that was a great short trip to SFO.   I’ll look forward to my next one.   Did I tell you the moment I arrived home to Japan from SFO I got a phone call that my cousin passed away?   I was sad, of course, but it’s ok now.   Any word on Peggy?  Ha-ha…That was a fun bar we went to.   We’ll have to do that again.  We’ll just skip the beer and pizza next time. Jaa Mata (See You Later),
STEVEN
PS-This is Buddha.  He’s the big man around this country.  They have beautiful shrines and statues honoring him.

March 5, 1989 I took a self-portrait of myself using my Polaroid camera.  I believe I was influenced by Don Johnson and his TV show, MIAMI VICE.   It seemed to look okay ‘at the time’.


I went to visit mom later and she was babysitting Ashley and Lauren.   Ashley and Lauren were playing horseback riding with a broomstick.   I couldn’t help myself and had to photograph them in playmate mode.   I figured I could use it as ransom or bribery one day.
 I received another postcard from Steven of the Suizenji Park.   The formal name is Jyojuen.  It is a purely Japanese style garden comprising a lake where clear crystal water constantly wells up from the bottom.  I keep writing to Steven because I cannot help myself.   I want to him to know that I am thinking of him.  I do miss his goodness and ‘happy about life’ energy.   He had sent me a Hotel Narita Kimono that I simply love.   It meant so much to me to realize that he’d taken the time to send that gift to me.  I like how he is comfortable with confiding in me (as I am with him). Steven wrote:

Dear Michael,  When you receive this I hope that you’ve also heard from UNITED AIRLINES.   I’m rooting for you buddy.   Best Wishes.   Today, I arrived back in Japan.   It was snowing so hard when I landed.   I could hardly believe it.   It’s pretty cold too.   All evening I rearranged my room to make it more “homey”.   Thanks for your two cards.   The pools and the large tree photograph were WONDERFUL.   I’m glad you like your Kimono.   I took a shower a little earlier.   I am wrapped up in my Kimono right now, too.   Hope to see you THIS month.
ALOHA,
STEVEN

I’m wondering if I will be lucky enough to see Steven again this month.   If not, it’s okay.   I have a lot to keep me busy.   Lauren and Ashley were having a tea-party in mom’s indoor patio area.   I got mom to join-in so that I could interrupt their tea-party for a group photo.   I really liked the way the photo turned out.


I have always appreciated his confiding in me and I hope our confidential talks are not ended.--THE PURE AND THE IMPURE by Colette