To Uncle David

As you know, one of the ways I like to remember people are by the things they taught us. I think I do this because it’s one of the best ways to keep the honor, memory and stories of the person alive. And over the past week, I’ve had time to think about what Uncle David had taught me, and I realized he helped give me one of my best qualities: Work hard in a sane way. Most say, “word hard” or “be a hard worker.” However, I think most forget to say what Uncle David taught me from an early age, “Keep your sanity while working hard.”

Here’s a story to exemplify what I mean: When I was in middle school, we put up the retaining wall in our back yard. We had a number of people over helping us. And as I recall, it was a hot day with lots of heavy lifting, shoveling, etc. Uncle David was over to help. While some were furiously working with little to no breaks, Uncle David would pull me aside and have me take a break with him. I remember him essentially saying, “Don’t over work yourself; the wall will get done. Some have their way of working hardcore, non-stop till the job is done, but it’s not worth the wear and tear and on the mind and body.” And in more recent years, when we were painting Great-Grandma’s house, he took the same approach.

There’s no doubt that Uncle David was a hard worker, and did quality work to be proud of. But I think he was able to do that quality of work because he understood the importance of balance in doing things, working hard and keeping one’s sanity as well. I know when I’m in the middle of big work loads, I often think about what Uncle taught me, and take a break when needed. Not only do I keep my sanity, but you go back to the task refreshed and ready to take it on.

As I alluded to, another thing Uncle David taught me was to do quality work that you could be proud of. Sure there’s more than one way to solve a problem, some ways being easier than others. It’s alright to pick the easy way, as long as you don’t sacrifice quality or doing a thorough job.

Uncle also taught me to be socially considerate. When we were younger, and would see some of our Guro cousins basically once a year on New Years, Uncle David tried to make sure Ann and I, who were shy, were included in their games and activities. On the same coin, he also reinforced the importance of helping out the family. Uncle David was always willing to use his skills help family members with their house work.

And, in an funny way, Uncle David also stressed the importance of going to church, in a somewhat subliminal way. He would take Kumi and Kenji to Sunday school almost every week when we younger. Uncle would back in his truck under one of the trees, and read the Sunday newspaper while we were in Sunday school. And though he may not have sat in a pew, if you would have asked, he would have said, “Yup I went to church today.” But the fact that he would regularly take them to church, put in the time, patience and effort to bring them, still speaks a lot I think. (I could go into some discussion comparing the communion of the Trinity and the communion of the family, but I’ll spare that for some other time.)

And last, but not least, Uncle David taught me not to be scared of wrapping Christmas gifts in obscure things with masking tape. I have a collection in fact of some of his unique wrapping ideas, and they will always be treasured now.

I really wished I could have thanked Uncle David in person for all the lessons and memories, but I’m sure he now knows.

Thank you, Uncle David, for all that you did!