I was born in Oakland, California.  I spoke no English till I went to 
kindergarten.  I was playing outdoors in front of the house on 20th Street 
when a lady came by and asked if my dad was home.  I didn't know what she 
was saying, but she went up the 13 stairs and papa answered the door. She 
came down, and I think she smiled and left.

The next Sunday I was dressed in my Sunday clothes and waited. Papa said 
I was to go with the lady to church, as my brothers looked on and mama was 
apprehensive, as I remember. She came and I remember going to the big gray 
stone building (which was the Baptist Church, as I look back).  So I 
started to Sunday school. I had just turned five. Time to go to school!  
School was scary, but church was not so bad. I took the lesson home and 
papa told us the stories thereon, so my brothers, mama and papa learned 
about Jesus.

A month or so later, a Japanese few decided to start a church with a 
Caucasian Dr. Smith, a Methodist. Soon there was a change. Our little 
bunch became The Independent Japanese Congregational Church.  

While I was progressing slowly at Durant School Kindergarten, we were 
learning colors.  We had colored balls, and when it was my turn the ball 
was RED. And I kept saying LED, to the exasperation of the teacher, so she 
put me outside, where I cried till lunchtime, which was the end of my day.  
The girl that took me to school took me home, and that was the end of that 
incident. I went to school reluctantly the next day, but I enjoyed school 
and got along fine thereafter.  

We moved to the country, and I went to a country school happily - then, 
to junior high, then to high school.  Papa died, and we moved again to 
Berkley.  Berkley High.  Graduation - had appendicitis. My Doctor died 
on his hunting trip.  

I had a couple of boyfriends, one of whom I married. We had nine children, 
six of whom were born at home in Berkley. There was the Depression during 
the first part of our marriage.  

Then came the war and we were among a lot of others sent to camp.  First 
to Tanforan horse stalls.  Then, when the barracks were mostly finished, 
to a place that was named "Topaz" in the Sevier Desert in Utah, with rows 
of barracks, soldiers, etc., like an army camp in those days. T'was scary, 
but it was not so bad. 

After three years, the war was over and we went to North Platte Nebraska, 
where Dad had a job.  We lived there fifty-plus years. Gail was born in 
the camp. She was a baby when we stopped at North Platte, where the other 
two boys were born.  Dad borrowed money and bought this flower shop where 
he worked.  We lived happily in a big house on the highway.  The kids 
graduated from high school, one by one they received scholarships and 
borrowed money for college, each his own, since mom and dad were no help.  
Each left and never came back.  

Mom, who lived with us, died, and we had an empty nest. We retired, then 
Dad died. I lived alone, but had happy memories, as each child was able to 
own his or her own home.  My church friends took care of me, and I enjoyed 
being with them. I was a deacon and a greeter, and went to mission sewing 
every Tuesday. Once a month, I went to Garden Club, Altrusa Club, Nisei 
Lunch Group, Circle, and Presbyterian Women's Fellowship.  Our kids give 
me great joy, and I also am thankful for wonderful friendships.