GOTO-HEALTH

Tonight, I stumbled upon an archeological documentary, on YouTube about the pre-Maya culture some researchers have uncovered in Central America. Early in our marriage I surprised Sam with a trip to Guatamala because of his interest in the subject, while I stayed home with our preschool daughters. Later, in 2005 we went on the Lion’s Club Eyeglass Donating trip to Iquitos, Peru, and took a side trip to Machu Picchu. It was never my thing to hike in the hot sun or dig for fossils, but I learned a lot. Sam’s TV picks in his man-cave were always Archeological programs and sports.

 

Psychology, parenting and education have always been my thing, with a focus on Japanese Heritage Values. Sam was always supportive of my work with helping develop the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington and the OMOIDE writing group, but never once took any leadership roles. Verbally expressing his opinions in public was rare. He just did it through his art and comic strips.

 

When I recently heard the line: “Marriage is a commitment where neither side gets’s their way”, it occurred to me that was why we had a good marriage. Sam and I respected and supported each other’s interest, but never tried to get each other involved more in our own thing.

 

Sam was an artist and a perfectionist, and his Dental Lab was always immaculate. His dental work can be found in mouths from Nova Scotia to Australia because patients came for the work he did with strong collaboration with the dentists. Some even have his artwork on their molars. 

 

He never criticized me for how I cleaned house or cooked. I always shopped for an outfit that I liked, twice a year at the Nordstrom sales, but only kept what Sam liked because I figured he was the one who had to look at how I looked.

 

Sam did his morning shaving downstairs and I always got dressed upstairs. I think part of our habits came from our parents, but I still rarely leave my room without being fully dressed and ready to meet others. I pride myself on being able to get myself together in 10 - 15 minutes and work at keeping myself presentable, but both of us liked Dolly Parton. 

 

Arthur Brooks says that research at places like Harvard suggest “Happier” is more important than “Happiness” and comes from feeling the emotion of remembering an experience. This picture of us right after Sam and I said our vowels at the Baptist Church in Ontario, Oregon, and were headed for the reception at the Moore Hotel; makes me happier and smile every time I look at it each day.