Hoddy Nakamura - Sitio Web Conmemorativo En Línea

Hi Dad, How are things in heaven?  It's a good thing you have a lot of Kleenex from Costco around here, because we're using a lot of it.

   Dad I always assumed that you'd be here at least through Weston's college graduation.  I thought we had years still.  So here I am facing reality.

   Don't worry we'll take care of mom, I know that would be your chief concern.  I can hear it now:  "You take care of your mom, you hear."

   This house isn't the same without you.

   Before you went to the hospital, you drew a face on the pommegranate and placed it on top of that curvy bottle on the kitchen sink--I love seeing that sense of humour, even now.

   I wish you could've enjoyed your high-def television longer.  I watched part of the Laker game tonight.  Kobe pulled it off--the Lakers won by a basket.  I'll remember the Laker games, going to Dodger stadium with you, and even  going to the Pauly Pavillion to watch our beloved UCLA Bruins.

   Dad, I hope I thanked you enough for allowing me to attend U of O, instead of UCLA.  Now that we're looking at colleges with Weston, I fully realize what out-of-state tuition means!  But don't worry I remained a Bruin fan.  Thanks for giving me the love & joy of sports as a youngster.  We certainly cheered for the "Wizard of Westwood"; coach John Wooden's championship basketball teams, I'll never forget that.

   While I'm at it, dad thanks for allowing me to talk you and mom into letting me go to the University of Hawaii, my sophmore summer for "Summer school".

It was a summer full of sun, sand & surf, and oh yeah, studying!  I really did finish all the my science credits that summer!

   Thanks for just rolling your eyes at me, when I came up with my final mad cap, hair brained "educational" scheme:  Junior year in Paris @ Le Sorbonne!

Daddy a million thanks for that year, it altered my life forever.  It gave me insight on how I viewed the world, politics, people, etc.  I know that "educational" year there, blew the out-of-state tuition out of the water, and you scoffed a bit, but in the end you and mom made it all possible.

    I thank you for giving me these extraordinary educational experiences.  Thanks for encouraging us to acheive academically, believing we could make it.    You made all the dreams come true, thank you dad.

Where do I start?  I miss my dad, my friend, my encourager.  He always believe in the best of people, always brought a smile, a laugh, a joke.  He was never self-conscious, dressing the way he wanted, high-top basketball shoes, one-piece jump suits, large hand towel for a hankie. 

I remember growing up, we would go to the VYC (Venice Youth C (?)), a league of Japanese-American boys, which would play basketball, football, and baseball every Saturday.  My dad would be my coach at times.  Those were special times.  He was encouraging to all.

Every time we would come down to LA as a family, he would want to take us to the Natural Historoy Museum, which the kids would loathe.  He wanted to take us to the IMAX theather and see the large screen movie.  Later, he wanted to take us out for dinner, even though my parents have two and a half refrigerators full of food.

His favorite pastime, growing up was going to Fedco every week.  It was like Costco, before Costco existed.  He would loved to go shopping.  If we didn't know where Hoddy was, we could guess Costco and we'd be right half the time.  He'd come back with packs of stuff that we already had or didn't need, but that didn't matter. 

My dad wanted to best for all of us.  He set aside funds for the grandkids for college.  He believed in a good education and wanted the children and grandchildren to go to college. 

I am blessed to have a dad like mine.  I shall truly miss him.

I know you're looking down on us.  I love you.

 

Mark

As my father in law, Hoddy was a fixture of generosity, patience, and always, compliments. He wanted to make sure his grandchildren had successful ventures in college and beyond. Even when they were toddlers, he was contributing toward their college funds, always planning ahead. He was also generous in buying us dinner out, ready to provide and win the argument over who was footing the bill. ( Winning meant paying) He was a patient man, and he gave that patience to his son, Mark. He didn't seem to mind waiting for people to get ready, postponing an event, or walking far behind us when we went on a long hike. Even when we thought we'd lost him in a crowd or at a mall, he never doubted he'd find us. We were the ones who worried. He was even patient with me. One time we went to dinner at the Madonna Inn and while enjoying his meal he kept spilling things on his shirt, or getting food stuck on his face, or dropping his napkin on the floor. Each time Manny corrected him, he just looked like a big innocent teddy bear. Then when he got up out of his chair, he stepped backwards and his chair also fell backwards, and nearly crashed into the waitress who nearly tripped into another table of guests. For some reason, this scene made me laugh uncontrollably. Even later that evening, I couldn't stop laughing when I thought of it. But Hoddy patiently endured my insanity and never seemed frustrated by my outburst. He was proud of Mark. Every time he came for a visit he'd tell him he had the best job because he had time to spend with his kids. He also frequently told Mark he was a good father and that we lived in the best town. Nearly every year, he'd give Mark a new jacket. One time, Mark put his new jacket on immediately, the tags still dangling from his sleeve, and we went on a walk. He and Mark thought this was perfectly normal behavior. I have so many unique memories of Hoddy and the times he shared with us. I'm so glad he was surrounded by his family during this last year of his life. Now I imagine his eternal life, reunited with his son, Steve and at last getting all of his questions answered, face to face with Jesus.

Grandpa was a great mechanic, he always liked to put blinking lights on everything. He always liked poetry. Here is a poem I wrote this year. Last one standing (Ballad) A wolf scavenges the snowy tundra plains. Then goes back to its home ignoring the hunger pains. During the day the wolf travels far distances looking for rations. Because eating is one of its greatest passions. The pack has no spare food. Most wolves are in a dire mood. It is one of the harshest winters. There is no time to worry about tiny splinters. This type of insensitive work takes all your might. It helps knowing that you really are doing right. There are baby and elderly wolves to feed. And sometimes you have to take the lead. The pack leader is dying because of no meat. The wolves are all on their last legs, it is no feat. They are fighting for something out of their reach. The appetite sticks to them like a leech. This cold winter is going to be bitter. It must eat anything, even something’s litter. There is a deer up ahead, that means meat. It will finally have something to eat. It hopes it can catch it, it is bigger than him. It will be a hard task; he will jump out of a limb. He leaps out of the tree and into the air. Than slices it in half, right through its fine hair. Yes! It has done it, he has killed the beast. But what he accomplished is just the least. For it will last only a few days maybe a week. The wolf can last the winter if it can be sleek. The faster wolf takes it in its mouth. And the other wolves give up and head south. The one doesn’t have to share what it will earn. Because the other ones probably will not return. This wolf is the last one standing. Even though it took a hard landing. Now it will have to survive. Because it is the only wolf alive.

I always looked forward to going to Grandpa's house and seeing what he would have bought for us or what he had made. Grandpa always had something for us almost every time he saw us. I also remember that every time he came over we would put out are lawn chair and in his spare time he would sit out their and read in the sun. I can't remember a time when he wasn't happy. I also can't remember a time during the daytime when he wasn't wearing his jumpsuit. He was always wearing one. I used to think that he wore the same jumpsuit every day until I figured out that he had a bunch of the same ones and he wore a different one every day. I will never forget you because you were so unique and special.