The Shaping of a Global Identity

The Shaping of a Global Identity

Most people identify with one place as home; the place they were born, where they grew up and occasionally stayed on into adult life. “Where are you from?” is the standard question that is asked every time we meet someone new in order to place that person into their...
Friendship and Trust – Part 4

Friendship and Trust – Part 4

The pastor waited by the tub.  The old lady handed me a clipboard with a white sheet of paper clipped on the front. I realized that this sweet lady, who, earlier on had slid into the room with the teacups so quietly, played just as an important role as the pastor and...
Friendship and Trust – Part 3

Friendship and Trust – Part 3

During our exchange with the pastor, the same older stooped lady who’d helped us in the hallway snuck in and stood in between us.  I remember thinking that was rather odd but no-one mentioned her so I tried not to think too much about her until I heard her shuffle...
Friendship and Trust – Part 2

Friendship and Trust – Part 2

I did have 2 hours to kill.  The heady feeling of having no-one else to confer with took me by surprise. Before I knew it, Miyako and I had linked arms and we were marching towards the Tokyo Metro. The first train ride was packed to the seams. It was rush hour....
Friendship and Trust – Part 1

Friendship and Trust – Part 1

After five years of happy reminiscing, it was time for me to go back. My family had lived in Tokyo for four years and for the past five years one of our favorite things to do together was to remember our fun and special experiences there. I often thought about going...