It’s been 24 years since the last time I saw them and first time I have been to their graves. 

I didn’t really get to know my grandparents. Living across an ocean can do that. I know they loved me but I have no idea what they thought about me. 

One of my only memories was the last time they came to America to visit us. I was 9 and my grandmother had a stroke and ended up in the hospital. I snuck into the car because I wanted to make sure for myself that my grandmother was okay. I terrified everyone by going missing, but I waited until my mother had left the car, got out and knew how to navigate hospitals well enough to find my grandmothers room. They were all very relieved when I walked in! She was never able to visit America after that. 

Me with my grandmother when I was a baby.

I wish I had been able to get to know her and have my own relationship with her. It was really wonderful to see her grave and her home. 

I also got to see Arundel Castle. My friend was so kind to take me to all these places and let me stay. I’m very privileged and lucky with friends. 

I did keep bowing and had to catch myself because I was automatically responding in Japanese quite a bit. I have kept my studies up! 

It was truly such an amazing and wonderful day.