Here’s hoping that all of you, friends,
relatives, and other readers of the blog have a really Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah,
Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Yule, Splendid Saturnalia, or whatever other very
enjoyable holidays that you may be celebrating in this season.
I got presents early this year, including
the opportunity to meet two very old and close friends in person, after several
years of pandemic-related restrictions and mobility issues had prevented it. Another old friend very graciously agreed to make the trek up to the Saitama/Gunma border country and perform some excellent guitar numbers as part of an anniversary celebration for the hospital where I do rehab. Another present was an invitation to a company get-together at an izakaya near the office, fun
to see colleagues and friends in person and hoist a few tankards after about
four years of only digital contact; it was almost like old times, and well worth it despite a certain amount of fatigue
and logistics hassles.
When the year winds down it’s time to
arrange for the annual production of nengjo New Year greeting
cards. Updating the data base has
sometimes been a little sad in recent years, as notices of old colleagues and
other acquaintances having passed away have become more frequent. Each year
there are a few less cards to send, but I’m still encouraged by the number of
friends who—like me—have so far beat the odds and keep on keeping on.
May all of you be happy and healthy, and
hale and hearty, throughout the holiday season and the year to come. As I said
at this time last year, may peace and good will prevail for everyone, everywhere,
may generosity and kindness carry the day, and may the greedy and selfish be
confounded.
Truth and justice will win out in the end, and all the sooner if we help them along.
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