"Good Day David,

Finished your book yesterday. It was 3-l/2 days of reading about the lifetime of an incredible woman, your mother, Willie Mae.

I was inspired by her grit, her goodness, and resourcefulness, starting from the move from brutal racist Mississippi to Oregon, where she again encountered segregation becoming a nurse, a business woman, civil rights activist, still taking care of her family. I was touched how she never forgot the Japanese man taking pictures on the train ride from California to Oregon and how you developed a heartwarming, sad story weaving so skillfully his Japan story with Sister B's in Oregon. All this, plus historical events, familiar names, (Lipman Wolfe, Kaiser Shipyards, Vanport,) happenings both in Oregon, the US, and the world. Wow - Thanks for the journey!

Also, so much resonated with me and I felt so connected with the story. The Neko (cat) was also a name we had for one of our cats. The symbolism of Maneki-neko, a good luck welcome cat, appears on a shrine that I made for my late father. I love your mention of wise cats! My mother was of a Shinto sect, my dad was Buddhist and I am Christian. You mention Shinto several times in your book. Although I am Sansei, a third generation, Japanese, I am very familiar with Japanese words, which you have used so effectively, including the beautiful Sakura Sakura, song. As a Japanese-American, my family and I were incarceration during WWII, and you do touch on this through your character, Hannah.  

You write of Hawaii, where my late husband was from, and where I lived for 5 years. I believe I told you that Jim, my late husband was on the beach in Kailua, Oahu, on Dec. 7, 1942, when the first wave of planes flew in to bomb Kanehoe Air base, to destroy the US planes, before the attack on Pearl. His family lived and were caretakers for a US Naval officer during the war. Jim's ancestral family is from Hiroshima and we visited the city and the family home in the 80's. There was much sadness when we visited Hiroshima, and I felt sorrow when you ended Akio and Misaki Hashimoto's story.  

I think it was so fitting you ended with a Beautiful Story - about Nobuo Fujita and his wonderful relationship with the people of Brookings. When covid is behind us, Rod (my husband) and I would like to visit the Public Library to see the samurai sword.  

Am so glad that your sister-in-law, Barbara, connected us. I will share this wonderful story with our Friday group and others. Take care. These are challenging times and we shall overcome.....

Warmly,

Joni Kimoto

August 17, 2020