WE ARE ALL CONNECTED IN MANY WAYS ALL AROUND THE WORLD
7月
1日
Summer 2022 Outdoor reception at Consul General of Japan's home on Queen Ann hill. Lori Matsukawa receiving Emperor's award from Ambassador Tomita of Japan
As we sat in the gardens of the Seattle Consul General from Japan, these were some of the words of inspiration from Tomita, Ambassador to the US from Japan, "Cooperation between Japan and the United States covers a wide range of activities, such as measures against COVID-19 and climate change, or even space cooperation. Our economies have also never been closer. Thanks to their investments, Japanese companies have become an important part of the American economy and true partners in communities across the country. Japan has become the world’s largest investor in the Unites States as of 2019."
Lori Matsukawa and I serve on the JCCCW board together. She truly deserves this recognition award from Japan as she volunteers hours and days of her time for our community, gathering people and resources, as a leader that I admire.
It's fun to be invited to such events, but the most fun are finding personal connections. We also heard words from Washington State Secretary of State, Steve Hobbs. Steve's mother is from Japan and I used to know her personally when Steve was a little kid. Miwa was also at the event and I hadn't seen her in over 40 years.
When I was chatting with Miwa Hobbs, the former Secretary of State, Ralph Monroe joined us. I asked him, "Who was your dentist in Seattle's Medical Dental Building?"
He answered, "Dr. David Branch."
I then added, "It was my husband, Sam, that made all the dental work in your mouth!"
There were several other similar encounters last night and we all agreed: THIS IS A SMALL WORLD!!
