Hisao's Birthday

 Today would have been Hisao's 64th birthday!

I just spent half an hour reviewing photos to include here. I was amazed at what I found. 

Somehow, my memories of our time together are of struggle. Of never having enough money, of having to teach all the time, and the kids being bullied in school.

All of that is true, and it did happen, but there were so many great times. Days out, trips to England, birthdays, and Christmases!

Here are some of the photos, in no particular order.

Outside the storage place here!

Top of the mountain overlooking where we live

I think these were taken when we first came to Japan. About 34 years ago!  Before kids.  I remember my plan was to stay here for 5 years and then go back to England. I don't think I told Hisao that!

Mikey, still in the hospital

Mikey is about a year old here.

Nice photo!

After the appointment to confirm my pregnancy, Hisao backed the car into a pole in the parking lot! He was so excited! I was excited, but so sick!

Hisao was a real hands-on Dad. I never gave the kids a bath when they were babies. Hisao always took care of that!

The caption with this photo says "Dad's birthday."

Maybe at the zoo

We went to different places a lot when the kids were little. The zoo was always popular. We didn't go to the movie theater so much, I'm not sure why, but we preferred to get videos to watch at home.  Some weekends we would get a couple of movies and have a nice movie evening.

The year with a beard

We went to England this year.

As we entered England, the kids and I went through the British passport control. Until they were 21, the kids had dual citizenship. Hisao had to wait and go through passport control for visitors to the UK.

This year, his passport photo had him looking very sinister! 

The kids and I were waiting near the counter. Hisao handed over his passport, the officer looked at it, then looked at Hisao. The officer asked the purpose of Hisao's visit. Hisao said he was visiting his in-laws with his wife.  The officer asked where I was. Hisao pointed at me, the officer called me over!  He asked if we were together. I answered yes, and then added, "And he has all the money". The officer laughed and stamped Hisao's passport!

With Hannah

I love this one

Hannah was almost a year old here.

As much as he loved the boys, Hannah brought a lot of joy to Hisao. Having a girl after three boys was such a different experience. Again, he was very hands-on with her. Being the youngest and only girl, he spoiled her. While he was alive, that was alright, I could be the strict parent, and he could be the parent who spoiled her. After he passed away, I had to do both, and that was hard. 

I often wonder what Hisao would be like now. What would he think of us living where he grew up? Would he be happy to be back here?  I know he would be happy at not having to pay rent!

I found a photo of the original house that was here. I think this was the first time I visited here.

The original house

The house now, well, last year!

I hope to have time to go through the photos, finish putting them into smaller albums. Maybe looking at them, I can remember the good times more!