Celebration of Love and Creation

It is the last day of 2014 and we are about to welcome in the New Year. Tomorrow we will hold our annual New Years training at Aikido of San Jose from 11am to 12:30pm. We've taken the last week off to let instructors and students alike rest.It has been a busy year. It has included among other things:

-A January trip to Japan to Hombu dojo and the Kumano Area.
-Another Osensei Revisited weekend in Occidental.
-A wonderful Summer Retreat in Santa Cruz made memorable by Anno sensei's presence
-Fall workshops in Roseville and at Sophia University with the Western States Aikido Association
-Seeing Betsy Hill sensei promoted to 5th dan
-Presiding over a great session of black belt exams earlier this month
-Learning that my daughter Jennifer and her fiance Dover will tie the knot next month

On the other side I have witnessed the passing of 2 dear aunts, one uncle, and my step mom. It is interesting that life is definitely always in motion. Children in the family being born while older members pass. The Giants win still another championship, the Warriors burst out of the gate, and the 49ers collapse. There is an impermanence to everything. Yet this gives everything a poignancy it would otherwise lack.

I would like to thanks Robert Nadeau shihan for his continued support and guidance. Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba for his warm welcome and hospitality at Hombu dojo. Anno and Yanase sensei's for continuiing in their own ways to walk the path. Mary Heiny and Linda Holiday senseis.....it is good to have friends. And the teachers and students of Aikido of San Jose for their continued support and growth.

In the 'Kojiki' Izanagi and Izanami stood on the floating bridge of heaven and with a magic spear created the islands of Japan. I decided they needed a love song: