>> 2011.7.8 [ Mailing List ]
Dear my brother, Mino
Happy Birthday to you! 40 years old?!
I know you have been watching over me from the sky. It has been a busy year. We had the photography exhibition in three more locations in Japan and, more than 7000 people came to visit the one at Hokkaido University this Spring. About 80 people attended the roundtable discussion titled "How do we succeed Minoru Hokari's Historiography?" People who were inspired by your life and work planned and executed the exhibition, and created and provided an opportunity for others tomeet you! It is great to know that they all felt your existence throughout the event. Yes, we are still connected with you, Mino.
I am so pleased to tell you that your English book "Gurindji Journey: A Japanese Historian in the Outback" was finally published. Yes, the book is published!! We had two launches at Gleebooks and ANU Co-op Bookshop. There was a strong awareness and an exciting expectation that this book that you left would start something or change something, rather than it is sad that you weren't there at the launch. John Maynard, Tessa Morris-Suzuki and Ann McGrath shared many episodes of you and everyone was smiling and looked so happy to have your book in their hands. I felt so fulfilled as many people thanked me for not giving up to publish. All royalties from the sale will be donated to the Minoru Hokari Memorial Scholarship Fund at ANU. Yes, I know. We have to return your work to the Indigenous communities.
In Sydney, I spent quite some time with your friend, Bowhoa. I did not know it was "she" until I called her as soon as I checked in at a hotel. Yeah..Of course..it should be a woman, right? We are talking about you, Mino, here…When she saw me, her eyes filled with tears, hugging me. Tessa as well, always smiles looking at me "You really look similar to Mino."
We had dinner, took ferry and walked all over the city. As we chatted, she remembered many things about you, we laughed and laughed. My laugh reminded her of another thing about you, one after another. She clearly remembered you often said "I want to change the world." Her warm smile and personality must have been comfort and encouragement to you. After saying good bye to each other, we started walking to the different directions. Since I came to USA, somehow I stopped "seeing off" people, but I felt something and turned around to look for her. Then, I saw her looking toward me as well. It was such a wonderful feeling. We stretched out our arms and waved good-bye again for the last time.
Although I've never seen your finished project, I know you were a knitter. I started knitting again (after 20 years!) this winter and now totally obsessed and addicted to it. As one knitting project is about to finish, I talk to myself "I have to get this and that done before starting another knitting project." But as soon as I'm done, I cast-on a new project on the same day! Not much around house or Minoru Hokari related project has been done for the last few months. I wonder your saying "It's OK. You have done a lot. Please enjoy knitting as much as you like for a while." I knit a hat for you this winter and probably a pair of gloves next winter.
You said at the hospital that you would like to live your 40s. I am thinking what I can do to flourish your 40s. There are still many more things in my mind that I want to do for you. ...Oh, before I forget…here is a birthday message from Mihoko.
"Happy Birthday! You are now 40! Even 30s was a mystery to us, now already 40s! I can easily imagine Hokari-san will be just as same at 40s as you were. I wonder what you would say...probably smiling…"I finally hit 40s! Well, you will catch up with me soon!" Yes, I bet you say that!"
Talk to you soon!
Your sister, Yuki