Yes, you can probably recognize one of the old trite old sayings that my father would sometimes tell me when he was in a philosophical mood. That means that you’re in for a “Deep Thoughts” note from me, haha.
Recently I came across the obituary for an old friend of mine who passed away several months ago. His name was Chester Sasaki who I met in Vandenberg AFB when I was a young 2nd Lt and he was a senior captain. Chet was a missile man who later worked as a project manager at the NASA Jet Propulsion Lab and led the Genesis space program in the early 2000’s. He was also an excellent martial artist, having attained a Shodan in Shotokan Karate, a Sandan in Aikido, and a black belt in Kendo as well. He received his karate black belt from the legendary Hidetaka Nishiyama, no less. In fact, one of his fellow karateka in the lineup was the actor John Saxon who you may recall, was “Roper” in the classic “Enter the Dragon” movie made famous by Bruce Lee. Saxon passed away in 2020 at age 83. Chet and I used to work out together and exchange ideas and techniques in karate, aikido, and kendo. Back then, he was in his prime, a youngish 32-year old. Unfortunately, Chet passed away in April at the age of 81. Where did the time go?
For those who don’t know, John Saxon on the left, Bruce Lee on the right.
This week, I attended the services for a long-time acquaintance and while giving my condolences to his family, his middle-aged daughter gave me a hug and exclaimed, “Sensei!”. I would not have recognized her if I passed her on the street, but indeed, she was a former student from over 30 years ago. She was the band director at an intermediate school in Honolulu. Thinking about other students from that time, I recall that one became a physician (I once saw him in an HMSA magazine), another became an engineer, I spied one (an attorney) on a television interview, another became a physicist, one got into teaching drama, yet another nearly ran into me while jogging – he had become a physical therapist. I also remember Daylen Masaki who joined us with his father, Senpai Dave Masaki when he was 6 years old. That first day, the little boy was busy drawing airplanes and talking about becoming a a pilot. He did, indeed, become a pilot; and also attained his Shodan. Alhough each young student aspired towards different goals in their adult lives, even as teens, I noted what they all had in common – a quiet perseverance and drive to improve themselves. In their practice of karate, the physician made it to brown belt; the rest all acquired their black belts. Today, they are all contributing members of our society, raising families of their own. And I ask myself; where did the time go?
As my dad used to say, “Time…waits for no one.”