My Sister’s Birthday

Dear Family and Friends,

Today is my sister’s birthday. 77. That seems like a very auspicious age. So, I decided to celebrate by doing something new. 

Recently, an adult student told me about a park that he likes a lot. He says he always feels relaxed when he is there. When he explained to me where it was, I realized it was not too far from my home. Always eager to explore new places, I decided to honor my sister by visiting this unknown territory. 

But as my student warned, getting there can be really tricky. The roads wind through a warren of houses and shops. So, he was not sure I would be able to find it. But I was determined. 

Sure enough, the roads twisted and turned. They were filled with both the expected and unexpected. There were old shops and new. Convenience stores and a pharmacy. And recently constructed apartment blocks and even working farms. 

At one point I thought I might be on the wrong road. So, I stopped in a teeny shop to ask directions. The owner was an older lady, who knew the neighborhood like the palm of her hand. “I grew up here. I know every nook and cranny of this place,” she said. Then she added that she was 79 and her shop was over 50 years old.

“I don’t believe it! You look so young!” 

“It’s the truth. And next year I will be 80!” She seemed as proud of her age as I was surprised by it.

“You’re not far from where you want to go,” she said, pulling out a piece of paper to draw me a map. I thanked her and said I would be back when the trees were more like autumn.

“You’re welcome anytime, Honey. I will be waiting for you,” she warmly replied.

The name of the park is Yo-Hei-Ei-Numa Koen.  与兵衛沼

Yo (与) means “give” or “join”. Hei (兵) is “army”, “soldier”, “warfare”. Ei (衛), appropriately, is “to guard” or “to defend”. And Numa (沼) is “marsh” or “swamp”.

Because its name was connected to the military, I expected wide open flat spaces. I figured nowadays the marsh would have been drained, so there would be only a grassy park with a few benches here and there.

But was I wrong! And happily so.

My first sight of the park was a large lake with a distant mountain faintly silhouetted in the background. 

Suddenly I was transported far from the city. And as I stepped into the forest, I entered a magical land of both controlled and rugged nature. It was wonderful.

The lake was rather large and completely surrounded by trees. The path went from easy to a bit challenging, but only briefly so. 

Occasional views of the lake were lovely. And indeed soothing, as my friend said they would be.

There were only a few people. Some lone “hikers”, a couple of families teaching their kids the wonders of nature, one or two dogs with their owners. And surely, my sister there in spirit. 

Going home, I chose a more direct route, wider and, unfortunately, with more cars. But even so, there were patches of autumn flowers, trees hinting color change, and a community daikon patch 

with a stage coach saying, in English, “An Old Crab Lives Here”.

My park venture was indeed a lovely way to celebrate my sister’s special birthday. 77. Seven can be seen as 4 plus 3. Four for the earth, three for heaven. So, seven is a perfect union of heaven and earth. Twice for my sister. So, surely, for her a good year lies ahead. 

Happy Birthday!

Love,

Anne