April 1, 2026
We ate breakfast at the hotel as usual, and as usual, loved watching all the kids excited about going to the park. This had become one of my very favorite parts of our day.
Afterward, we walked around CityWalk, visited the USJ store, and picked up a few gift items to take home with us.
We had made arrangements for our #2 Japanese daughter, Yasuko, and her husband, Toshiyuki, to meet us for dinner in Lounge 6 at our hotel. This was like another closing of a chapter in Japan for me.
On the first night I arrived in Japan, Yasuko and Toshi met us at the Hilton, where we were staying. Larry had made a very big deal about how the Japanese did NOT appreciate public displays of affection. He’d said, “I know you always greet everyone with a hug and kiss, but please don’t do it in Japan. I’m going to be working with these people for several years, and I don’t want to be embarrassed.”
He was right to mention this, since anyone who knows me knows I am a hugger. All our kids know this, too. However, I was determined not to knowingly break any local taboos while we lived there. (I removed my shoes when entering buildings. I didn’t blow my nose in public. Etc.)
From the moment I got on the plane, I kept reminding myself that I couldn’t greet anyone with a hug or kiss in public—even Larry. So, when I got off the plane, I refrained from my usual greeting and even holding hands (which we did all the time.)
We arrived at the hotel and took my bags to our room. (Larry had been there for about a week for a business trip before I arrived.)
Then we went to the lobby to await our “kids’” arrival.
Before too long, I looked down the long side hallway and spotted Yasuko. Toshi (whom we had not met yet) followed her carrying their two-year-old son, Daisuke.
As soon as she spotted me, she began to run toward me with open arms, grinning like crazy. When she reached me, she gave me a huge hug. Of course, I responded in kind. And suddenly I knew I’d be just fine! Then she hugged her “dad.” He had no choice and even looked pleased.
We met Toshi, who also hugged both of us. In public, where everyone could see.
I think we must have looked a bit scary to Daisuke. He had no idea who these strange people were and clung to his parents.
We went to dinner at a terrific Brazilian restaurant. Then we walked around the Asian Trade Center.
When he got outside, Daisuke ran around and seemed more comfortable with us. He finally let me hold him, and Yasuko took a photo of Larry and Toshi with me holding the little guy.
When we returned to Hollywood, I was asked to write an article about the trip for the USJ newsletter to prepare those who were to come afterward. (I was the first spouse to visit Japan before the big move.)
During our time in Japan, we saw Yasuko and Toshi often. They visited our home in Takarazuka, and Daisuke always had a blast. I called him my “wild man.” A hallway ran through the front of the unit. He started in the entry, raced through the living room and kitchen and into the hall, then through the hall back to the entry. All the while, he chortled and tried to get one of us to chase him. Sometimes we obliged. When our daughter, Kim, visited, she had fun chasing him and then doubling back to head him off as he came around the corner.
He was crazy about trains, and from our balcony, two train stations were visible below. The balcony had a glass-topped railing, so he could look down through it. He stood there for a long time waiting for the trains to arrive, which they did quite often. Then he would crow, “Densha! Densha! (Train! Train).
When we came home for Christmas the first year, we remembered a cartoon cell Larry had gotten at an employee sale while he worked in Hollywood. It was from the cartoon, The Little Engine That Could. It had the register holes and came with a background and a certificate of authenticity. We both knew where it had to go. We also bought him a copy of the book and video to go with it.
One of the last visits we made before we left Japan in 2001 was to their home in Nishinomia. By then, they had a second son, Yusuke.
Now, in 2026, both boys had graduated from college, moved out of the house, and were working at good jobs. Daisuke had just gotten married, and I asked them to bring wedding photos.
A little before they were scheduled to arrive, we went to the lobby to wait for them. Just like in 1998, I spotted them coming through the door about the same time as Yasuko saw me. And, once again, she started to run to me with her arms open. This time, I met her halfway for a long-overdue hug. We had not been able to see them on either of our previous visits in 2021 or 2024.
For a moment, time stood still. Suddenly, I was back in a hotel lobby greeting our beloved “kids.” It felt like closing a circle and filled me with joy.
We went to the restaurant and enjoyed a nice meal, talking the whole time. Toshi had his Google Translate queued up in case we need a word or two, but we managed quite well.
I was stunned to see pictures of a now-grown-up Daisuke. He is the absolute image of his father when we first met him. We saw photos of Yusuke, too. “Our boys” were now grown men. Yasuko and Toshi like their new daughter-in-love, and the bride and groom looked very happy.
Our coupons for drinks came in handy again, and we enjoyed a lovely time with them.
Sadly, all too soon, it was time for them to leave. We hugged again in the lobby before they left. And, as always, we invited them to visit us in California. This time, I have hope they may finally come!
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