Recently, David forwarded me an email from my brother with a subject line indicating, “Urgent.” You see, David is very much a people person. In stark contrast, I am all about business.
I learned that my brother and one of our cousins, both of whom live in Japan, were worried about me because they had not heard from me in a long time. It made me realize that when I stop doing what I used to do – such as writing season’s greetings at the end of each year – people begin to fear the worst.
I had to quickly write a response so that they no longer have to worry about me. What follows is a partial note of what I wrote to them. I decided that this would be an appropriate topic to share with you this month. Come to think of it, I should have told them that, each and every month for the last three years, I have been blogging about two topics: (1) “Investing Outside of Wall Street” and (2) “War, Peace, and Gratitude.” Then again, I publish them in English and not in their (or my) native language, Japanese. I know it is a chore for them to have to decipher everything I write in a foreign language.
As some of you know, my commitment to write every month started out when Jessica, our granddaughter, suggested that I needed to do so as an author. As a soon-to-be published author herself of “From the Ashes” at the tender age of 15 at the time, she knew the importance of it. When Jessica speaks, Grandma Reiko listens!
In any event, here is my partial response to my brother and cousin:
“I am alive and well. Thank you!
“I sincerely apologize for not reaching out to you lately – and making you worried. Truth be told, I have not reached out to any friends or relatives at all. As to why, it is a long story of someone who emigrated to America in pursuit of freedom and independence. Such a simple yet lofty personal goal invariably requires, first and foremost, FINANCIAL freedom and independence.
“After the market crash of 2000 (15 years ago) and subsequent crashes of real estate as well as capital markets, I believe I’m FINALLY on the verge of ensuring that my financial future is secure – at age 65, about to be 66, no less! It has been a long and sometimes very scary road. I will be publishing my book #2, focusing on my investment journey, when I will have had 12 consecutive months of positive cash flow from investment revenues – completely replacing my current sources of income from entitlement programs. Since leaving Chrysler in 2004, my every waking moment has been focused on three simple goals where I would no longer have to rely on (1) pension income from Chrysler, (2) Social Security income from the federal government, (3) Medicare coverage, also from the federal government, and be able to pay for medical expenses out of pocket.
“Chrysler has nearly gone bankrupt several times in its long history. Therefore, there is no guarantee that its pension funds are secure for the long term.
“Social Security and Medicare, both of which are social programs created during the 1930s and 1960s, respectively, are not sustainable from a macro-economic standpoint. Given these facts, what is an immigrant to do who came here in search of freedom and independence?
“I have been given the privilege to pursue, out of my own free will, what needs to be done to address these issues. This is what my every waking moment has been focused on – much like when growing up in Japan, my every waking moment was focused on mastering the English language, which I’ve always believed – and continue to believe – as the language of freedom and independence for every human being.
“I did not come to America to be dependent on its society. I came here to be free and independent. That focus is what keeps me so incredibly busy every single day.
“With all of that being said, I am committed to taking the time out and enjoying the company of others when they come and visit with us or vice versa. February 2017, in two years, will mark our 45th wedding anniversary. We are thinking we should do something very special. Visiting Japan is at the top of our list; the details as to when, where, and how are yet to be finalized.
“Lots of love,
“Reiko”
My brother’s response to my note was swift and very sweet. He explained why he was worried and concluded it with “Please return to your work!” He made my day!!
