Lately, I’ve often been thinking a lot about the song, “My Way,” by Frank Sinatra.
The lyrics of this song truly sum up my life, as I am sure it does for many others – even though each of us has gone through a unique set of experiences throughout our lifetime.
As a teenager, I knew I had to leave the country of my origin – to keep my sanity intact. Japan is a male-dominant society which I could not appreciate at all because of one, less-than-perfect man.
Today, I realize that the Bible says to honor thy father. I’m glad that I did not know this phrase when growing up because there was no way I could have honored him — not with what he had done to my mother, my brother, and me. The 15-year-old girl was determined to learn another language and, in due course, to sever the ties to the country of my origin completely.
Through no fault of their own, my view of the entire Japanese male population was tainted with irreconcilable negativity. Yes, my family situation was that bad. And, yes, I broke a few hearts along the way – but with no regret.
In 1972, I married the love of my life in Japan, an American I had met six months prior. To this day, over a half-century later, he continues to make me feel like the luckiest girl on earth. Thanks to his unconditional love, life has been good to me ever since. Come to think of it, I have been married for longer than twice as long as I have lived at my childhood home. It is as if God has been intent on making sure that humanity was to be restored in my soul no matter how long it took.
I have been able to live every day of my adult life my way, however imperfect it may be. And I have never been alone in this journey.
Thank you, my love, for letting me live my life my way.
