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A couple of my most indelible memories in time for anyone who cares to observe
from the HEART ZONE: 1. When Master Uechi and his lovely wife landed at Logan airport in
their last visit to the US, he was welcomed by a thunderous standing ovation from hundreds
of American Uechi-kas who had waited for his late arrival for hours on end!! 2. I remember
this failing patriarch walk out of the plane holding his wife's arm and stand erect and proud
as the king he was while making his way into the crowd!! 3. Suddenly he broke out in tears
and was so overwhelmed by emotion that he had to sit down on a bench with his consoling
wife next to him! 4. What he did next will be burned into my heart forever: INSTEAD OF
COVERING UP HIS FACE, AS MOST OF US WOULD DO, HE KEPT HIS HEAD UP HIGH
LOOKING AT US LONGINGLY , AS ONE WOULD HIS CHILDREN, WITH TEARS OF
LOVE STREAMING DOWN HIS CHEECKS UNASHAMED AND PROUD TO UNVEIL HIS
AFFECTION FOR THE AMERICANS !! 5. Knowing his failing health, THAT MOMENTOUS
OCCASION APPEARED AS HIS LAST EMBRACE AND GOODBY FROM A GREAT MAN
AND TEACHER TO HIS LOVING PUPILS!! 6. Later , while sitting under a shady tree with
sensei Tomoyose at sensei Jack Summers house, I became involved in a political
discussion and asked sensei Tomoyose what Master Uechi thought of all the bickering!
After a few words with the Master , sensei Tomoyose said to me that Master Uechi refused
to even acknowledge the hurtful conflicts, that he had lived through similar experiences and
that he felt time and the generations to come would eventually workout some understanding
acceptable to all!! I remember having to fight the urge to get up and hug
him as I would my father for fear of appearing disrespectful! I believe HE is watching us all and understanding!!
Peace,
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