Again, just wanted to really thank Sensei Trish and Sempai Donna (also Sempai Wes!) for organizing and being the emcees of such a terrific Christmas celebration for the karate ministry members and their families. I actually think it was even more fun than last year, because there was more room for us to make fools of ourselves. Seriously, when I told the girls they didn’t have to go through so much effort…they said that they just wanted to bless everyone in the ministry, which they did!

I think the fun, the food, the games, the conversation, and just the social interaction amongst everyone is so invaluable. Our members make up an unusually nice group of folks and when we’re busy training, we’re often separated into different groups by belt, skills, knowledge and age. Everyone kind of trains in their own “lane”. It’s such a great opportunity for these barriers to be broken down, and to get to know each other a little better. When I was a young teen training in Aikido back in the early 1960’s, even though I enjoyed the classes, some of the memories that stand out most to me are from the annual parties that the dojo held. The old sensei and sempais tried to make it special for the kids and we loved playing games and eating all of the great food. I especially remember the smoked venison that was one of the sempais’ specialties (from Kauai, no less). I can still taste his secret teriyaki recipe. Strange, that after the many many hours of training, all those years ago, that smoky, sweet taste on my tongue, is the most vivid memory I still retain – and it was experienced at the dojo party. I am blessed by it still, and hope in the same way, that memories of a nice night in fellowship linger with us for years to come.