My Journey to Freedom and Independence

Rest in peace, Charlie Kirk

Reiko — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 07:00:34 +0000

On September 10, 2025, Charlie was gunned down while “continuing to do good for America.” He was only 31 years old, leaving behind a beautiful young family, in addition to his parents and sister. I have never met him in … Continue reading →

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Happy 100th birthday in heaven, Mother!

Reiko — Sun, 17 Aug 2025 07:00:18 +0000

Today marks your 100th birthday. Wow! I wish you were here to hear me say out loud, “Happy Birthday, Mother!” I wish I could bake you a birthday cake and decorate it with 100 candles on top. You were always … Continue reading →

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Our UFO encounter

Reiko — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 07:00:46 +0000

UFO: Unidentified Flying Object In July 1972, David and I, as newly-weds, came back to the U.S.A. from Japan. Actually, for me, it was my first trip – ever – outside of my home country. According to David’s recollection, this … Continue reading →

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My brother in Japan

Reiko — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 07:00:47 +0000

Over half a century ago, in 1972, when David and I left my home country to come to the U.S.A. as young newly-weds, it cost a lot of money to communicate by telephone with my family, who lived half-way around … Continue reading →

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See you in heaven, Sandie!

Reiko — Sat, 17 May 2025 07:00:27 +0000

On May 10, 2025, our dear friend, Sandie Nelson, passed away. Today, May 17, 2025, we will be attending her funeral service in Lansing, Michigan. As of this writing, I have not yet been able to get my head around … Continue reading →

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In sickness and in health

Reiko — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 08:48:47 +0000

David used to say to me that, because we had to meet three separate and rigorous requirements to be married, it was going to be very difficult for us to undo our marriage vow. Each time, I’d simply say, “ok,” … Continue reading →

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San Francisco

Reiko — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 07:00:00 +0000

Sometimes, out of the blue, some memories are triggered to come to the surface of consciousness. Come to think of it, today, thanks to decades of being away from where nightmarish events had taken place during childhood, I am rarely … Continue reading →

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Thinking about learning to speak Italian

Reiko — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 08:00:39 +0000

When I have all the time in the world to do whatever I want, there is no excuse not to get started. My first language is Japanese. English is my second. I have been bilingual for several decades. I have … Continue reading →

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Time pressure

Reiko — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 08:00:44 +0000

So far, I’ve always managed to post my monthly blogs on time somehow – on the 17th of each month – without missing a beat since I started on this journey in 2012. I’m intent on keeping up with this … Continue reading →

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Red boots

Reiko — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 08:00:51 +0000

I grew up in Japan. After the publication of my autobiography in July 2012, there haven’t been too many memories that I think about from when I was very young. One of the few exceptions is from when I was … Continue reading →

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