Michigan and Tokyo connected by Owls

 I've had owls in my home. I couldn't resist buying them because they were so cute💕

Owls with Rose in Tokyo

Then I gave a name to each colored owl. I have moved to a new place but the owls are still with me.

Owls with Collie in Michigan

There are also owls in Collie's house. Living far away from each other in Michigan and Tokyo, it is comforting to know that we have the same owls in each of our homes. It is a wonderful gift that our hearts are connected through owls. I love that way of thinking.：）

Michigan

February. Although it is still cold in Tokyo, the sky is clear and sunny. Meanwhile, it is snowing in Michigan, where Collie lives. You can see a smiley face in the photo above☃

He is like, "It's a long cold gray snowy winter here in Michigan. I like winter...but also it is difficult", "I'm sure you have sun. I hope it shines upon you".

He frequently goes to his mother's house to help care for her. While a nurse and a care helper also visit, he often looks in. I would be a liability if I went to Michigan now.

He is in my prayers when I am here in Tokyo. I will keep learning. We cherish the owls and they are watching over us. 

You can have a great time on Valentine's Day even if you are alone.

Dear people who stop in my blog,

Some of them, I think, are people from when I used to write my first, another blog in Japanese (the link to it can be found in my profile).  I'm glad you found this follow-up blog in your search.

I believe some of them are readers from this present blog. 

To all of you, many thanks for coming back despite my long absence from the blog.

May you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day💖  Whether you spend time as a couple or alone, whether you are a male or a female, please accept my heartfelt Valentine's Day greetings to you all. 

If you spend time alone, give yourself what you love to cherish yourself.  It's the fact that you are a very special person just the way you are.  If you are a man with a crush, show her how much you think of her, otherwise your girl would feel snubbed by you!  Let's all have a pleasant day😉  

Dear Saint and glorious martyr, teach us to love unselfishly and to find great joy in giving.

Enable all true lovers to bring out the best in each other.

Let them love each other in God and in God in each other.

We pray through the intercession of Saint Valentine for those we love

to keep them safe, to protect the love we share for each other.

 Lots of love on Valentine's Day...  Rose

The illness could be a sign to have second thoughts.

Apparently I am physically weaker than most people. When I pushed myself too hard, I would often develop a fever or headache. There are some items on my bucket list, but it doesn't go as smoothly as I would like. At such times, I feel frustrated by the fact that I am not achieving as much as I should be compared to the outstanding people in the world. Sometimes the life doesn't go the way you want.

However, I realized that I don't have to be as good as other outstanding people, after I have done the best I could in my own way. Having worked on it, if you realize that where you are is not the one you want, you can always change your direction. You can achieve happiness and fulfillment in life by following different paths, not sticking to the direction you originally decided to go. Your way of thinking will change over time as you continue to practice and grow.

When you catch a cold or any kind of illness, your body might be telling you that the path you should be going is not there. Then you realize that what you've continued to do because you thought you had to was more stressful than you thought. The mind is intimately connected to the body. So...

Let's rethink how we can achieve our dreams in a less stressful way than we are now, and get closer to our dreams in a way that makes us happy! We can accomplish our bucket list items at a more comfortable pace.

Each person has a unique talent. It is a special gift given by God. 

That I will always try to remember, when I feel like losing myself.

Renewing my mind with my favorite miniature rose, 

  Rose

Do pets show up to thank the people who cherished them after they passed away?

今は天国にいるじろちゃんです。実家に行くといつも会えるのが楽しみでした。実はじろちゃんは実家のお隣さんのねこなのですが、よく実家に遊びに来ていたのです。

長い年月が経ち、じろちゃんが天国に行ったことを知らされました。

その後のことです。私が眠っている時、じろちゃんが私と同じ枕にいて、温もりを感じました。じろちゃんはいつものように私に寄りかかって寝ていたのです。じろちゃんがごろごろ喉をならすのが聞こえたので、私はじろちゃんはここにいるって安心してまた眠りにつきました。

最近とあるSNSで知ったのですが、ペットは、この世から去った後、ありがとうを言いに可愛がってくれた人のもとに現れるそうです。その人が現れたペットに気づかないこともあります。

私は、確かにじろちゃんがごろごろ言っているのを聞いた！　私の頭に寄りかかっているじろちゃんを感じた！

それとも夢の中の夢なのでしょうか？

しかし私は思うのです。じろちゃんは本当に私に会いに来てくれたのではないかと。

じろちゃん、大好きだよ。

私はまだ、ここにいてやらなければいけないことがきっとある。もう少しだけ頑張ってみるよ。じろちゃん、いつか会えるかな？　それまで、天国で元気でいてね。

This is "Jiro", now in heaven. I looked forward to seeing him every time I visited my parents' place. In fact, Jiro-chan is my parents' next-door neighbor's cat, and he used to visit my parents' house often.

Many years later, I was told that Jiro-chan had gone to heaven. 

It happened afterward, when I was sleeping, Jiro-chan was on the same pillow as me and I felt his warmth. Jiro-chan was sleeping leaning against me as usual. I could hear Jiro-chan making a rumbling sound in its throat, which reassured me that Jiro-chan was here, and I fell asleep again.

Pets, after they leave this world, appear to those who loved them to say thank you, that I've recently seen on social media. The person may not even notice the pet showing up around. 

I'd definitely heard him purring! I'd felt him leaning on my head! 

I wondered, "Is it a dream within a dream?"

I thought it over again, but I still think Jiro-chan really came to see me. 

I love you, Jiro-chan.

I am sure there are things I still have to do in this world. I will try a bit more. Jiro-chan, "Can we meet down the road?" Until then, may you be always happy in Heaven.

Rose & Collie's serene morning at the balcony of Royal Park Hotel in Rochester

It's the morning we check out of the hotel. I woke up early to enjoy the last view from the open balcony I liked very much. With a cup of fresh coffee, of course!

The coffee provided at Royal Park Hotel is really delicious. 

I took the elevator to the first floor. It has an imposing ambience as you can see. Every morning, I went to the library room where coffee & other drinks were being prepared. I brought back my coffee to our room on this day, too.

I secretly shot a video on the balcony before Collie woke up. Would you check it out? ＾＾

https://www.instagram.com/p/C6TRBTpxTpP/

It seems that I am laying back after the successful shooting... I was not aware that Collie took my photo from behind. He seems to have taken it secretly before he got ready to come out. Green is vivid on this photo. Lush foliage is the sign of early summer. 

After a short while, Collie turned up on the balcony out of the room. I'd already brought a cup of lemon water for him when I went down for my coffee because he doesn't drink coffee. It was a serene morning. The weekend is over and he'll go to work from now. 

Much later in Japan... When I opened my Google Photos recently, I found Google featuring this photo at the top of the site as ”Memories together”. That was our selfie. 

It was taken for us to commemorate the wonderful time here. 

Royal Park Hotel is located in hip and historical Downtown Rochester, Michigan. We are grateful for your hospitality. Also, I'm grateful to Collie, who booked this luxury place so I could spend time comfortably while I explored Rochester, one of my favorite cities in Michigan.

A tiny little bird in Rochester Municipal Park in Michigan

Then, we came to Rochester Municipal Park for a walk and chillout. We didn't walk very far. After walking for a while, we turned back and rested on a bench in the shade of the tree.

The Municipal Park is literally a place of play for Rochester residents, over a mile of paved walkway with winding creek, pond as well as courts for tennis and volleyball. About 88 years ago, Rochester residents dedicated a new recreation spot on Paint Creek. Built on the site of a bankrupt dairy farm and a long-abandoned millrace, Avon Park －now called Rochester Municipal Park－ quickly became a favorite place for local residents to play, relax, and picnic etc.

Before finding a bench we sat, I saw a little something that moved small on the ground under the tree. It was a baby bird! It must have been fallen from the nest... I was so worried, but I knew I shouldn't move the little one.

Collie says, if we are nearby, parents birds cannot come to feed the baby bird. So we moved from the place. We sat on the bench, feeling the beauty of the green and gentle warm air in June.

It was not long before we noticed boys started a ball game around the place where a baby bird was on the ground. "I will tell them." Collie stood up and walked to the boys to tell them that there was a baby bird that fell out of the nest near the place they were playing. The boys honestly understood. They moved away from their playground immediately and resumed their play. 

I wondered, how many people in the world can act like him for a tiny little bird? I live far away in Japan. We have been in a long distance relationship for a very long time. However, his act like this is probably the reason why I continue to be attracted by him.

Rochester Municipal Park

400 6th St, Rochester, MI 48307, United States

Rochester Municipal Park is a place I want to visit every time I come to Downtown Rochester. There is a lot of charming cafes and restaurants in the downtown, and this park is also in my heart not only when I am in Michigan, but also when I live in Japan. 

I wish you all a wonderful week, Rose

 

My last day of work by God and a Christmas card from Collie

Nov.30, 2023 was my last day of work. Actually, I still belong to Strategic Planing Department, Creative Solution Division of an advertising agency until the end of December, however, I took my remaining paid leaves in whole December. 

Nov.30 became God's day for me. I could happen to see all the persons I wanted to see one last time at the office. Like, as if by magic, I run into a person I had something to say additionally to at the locker, also, another person I wanted to see in person while passing each other around the entrance, both of them again in the elevator going down when I was leaving, and at last a director whom my boss didn't see at the office, but I saw waiting at the light. Moreover, my boss made a phone call to a person of HR Team because she misunderstood she'd submit my return items such as PC etc. to them (actually, to General Affairs Department). That's why we knew the HR parson was on the way to the office and wanted to see me for chat before I left the company. Otherwise I had already left the company after we submitted my return items to General Affairs Department when he got to the office. There were more coincidences. It was like a miracle. So, I think it's the power of God. 

People wish me the best of luck in my new stage. As Collie wished, I can maintain friendships with some of my coworkers.

A top specialist of the company wrote back to my email of gratitude. I read her email just before I closed my PC lastly. She described me as blow.

•  I pay close attention to details at work.
• Clients were happy when she handed over Media Data 2024 to them.
• The know-how, ideas I created and left in the intranet will remain and continue to help company's people to learn.

"Media Data" is an annual booklet created by my central supervision. It indicates the characteristics of every media such as marketing/internet/train/bus/newspaper/magazine/radio/tv/area data plus advertising law. Not only intended for internal use when planing, but aIso a sales tool that mainly Sales Department people pass directory to clients.

I appreciate what she wrote to me, and I will never forget it.

at Meguro Catholic Church

Though I'm in the process of posting my June 2023 Michigan journal, I update you a little about my life as a final post in 2023.

Collie wrote to me on Nov.25, 2023

I hope you keep some good memories, skills, pictures, and experiences from your work place. 

You are appreciated, and will be missed....

Collie wrote to me on Nov.30, 2023

Now, I hope you can rest your body, and mind more often.

You have gained wisdom, friends, and knowledge.

You have been a great contributor to the company success.

May tomorrow bring you rest, new skills, new experiences, and new smiles.

Sincere warm wishes on your new day...

Collie wrote to me on Dec.21, 2023

I hope you are well and enjoying some new things and gaining health.

I awoke with fever and headaches but must go to work appointments somehow today. I'm not in good condition. I have a card for you...but didn't mail yet. I'm sorry.

Collie showed the card in his email on Christmas Eve. I will wait for the postal card to arrive to me. The above picture of me is...16 years ago or so.... It's taken in Birmingham! I still have the rose hat and the white scarf. I was blogging in Japanese before and the picture is seen there. If you are interested in my first blog in Japanese, you can find the link in ABOUT ROSE → my complete profile.

I leave the company where I have worked for long years. In 2024, I will mull over and do what I really want to accomplish in my life. 

I will resume my June 2023 Michigan journal here. I will express my Michigan in words along with photos I took. Those photos are still abundant!

I'm so grateful that you could be here to see my blog. May our hopeful wishes brighten up our life with achievements through the new year...☆

See you in 2024, Rose

to be true to myself

This weekend, Collie sent me our picture taken at his house on the day before my departure to Japan. It was the night before we left his house early in the morning to Detroit Metro Airpot.

Leaning on the sofa, we were closing our eyes and my head was on his shoulder. While his face was peaceful, my face was as if a look of distress was over the eyes. Was I anticipating piled-up work ahead of me? He says about the picture, "I kind of liked it." Good to know I look not so bad for him. 

I'm glad I could visit Michigan in June. July seems to be the most tough month. Like, every day working hard until 21:00-22:00, and this weekend, I needed to study digital literacy for the training/exam/group work around the end of this month. 

I've been stuck at work ever since I came back to Japan on June 27. But looking back, what a lovely time we spent together in Michigan! I can do my best at work because I am with the hope that I will visit Michigan again...longer, next time. 

For me, to be myself.... I will make enough time to use English. Soon it will come true both in Japan and in Michigan. Hopefully more of in Michigan than in Japan.

It's scorching hot outside. Luckily today is a national holiday. I'm done studying earlier and could have time to write here. I might go out for a drink after the sun goes down. Until then...I will enjoy a long, luxury nap. It is all right...my birthday is just around the corner so I should treat myself to relaxation.

Bye for now, Rose🌹

Rose seeds with the sun's love far beneath the bitter snows

The Rose  https://youtu.be/ISjEYji-jIA

St.Joseph Catholic Church, Lake Orion, Michigan

God, in the tensions and risks of life, may we choose you and happiness rather than sin and death. Give us a firm trust in you that we can always count on you and that your Spirit will guide us to go the faithful way to you shown us by your beloved Son. Grant this through Christ our Lord. 

Rest In Peace, Fr.Callistus. You are forever in our hearts as our Father.

Yesterday, I knew Fr.Callistus passed away about a month ago. There was a message in my smartphone, but it hadn't popped up. When I saw a different latest pop-up on my phone and opened my SNS yesterday, I found the message that he passed away which was sent to me a month ago.

I lost my biological father in December. About 2 weeks later in December, Fr.Callistus passed away, too. Had I known, I wouldn't have been able to bear losing two precious persons at the same time. Yesterday was February 3rd. The forty-ninth day ceremony after my father's passing had been over.

I am very saddened by my loss. I feel really sad. However, did God let me know Fr.Callistus's news later to reduce my shock?  He has made everything beautiful in its time.

It's my comfort that Collie met him when we went to the New Year's Mass at Franciscan Chapel Center in 2018 as he visited me in Japan.

Next Sunday Mass, I went to Franciscan Chapel Center alone as usual. Fr.Callistus said to me, "Ohhh.. Collie is gone..." I answered to him, "But he will come back again."  He nodded. 

After a long time, I showed up at Mass. He asked me anxiously, "Are you happy?"  Also, he was encouraging me with a firm handshake. He knew I was still living in Japan alone while my hope was being married with Collie in Michigan. He knows my heart. I answered, "No... Yes!"  I was almost in tears.   Looking back －

The "No" was  : I am feeling sad.

The "Yes" was : I should find a way to be happy with hope.

Fr.Callistus was really a kindhearted person. Still now, I can imagine how he would say if I opened my mind and said my hope to him. 

"Just pray."

He would say gently with a gentle smile like he did before. 

God, I am tired.... I am tired of living.  Could you let me die?  Let me die right now?

Father...  I am sorry I couldn't go to Mass during corona pandemic. I sent you an e-mail to say I was looking at you joining YouTube Mass, and to say I was always praying for you. Please forgive me....

Father... May you rest in paradise with eternal love of God... We will miss you forever. Please stay with us and watch over us from Heaven. 

God, I will live because I know Fr.Callistus hopes I will live on this earth until the day. So please let us with him in our hearts. We are hoping that he shines down on all of us as he was doing to us at Franciscan Chapel Center. 

We are praying forever for our beloved Fr.Callistus,

Raphaela, my baptismal name.

Prayer of Comfort

I'm truly sorry Rose.

 You are a good daughter. And he has been a good father. You have been blessed with faithful, good, and honorable parents.

 I only met him a couple times, but was glad to be able to meet such a good man. I am saddened at his passing.

 May you, your mother, and your family be comforted at this time by memory and knowledge of his love and care for all of you.

 May God have mercy, and may His eternal light shine upon him.

 Your father, and all your family are in my prayers today.     Collie

I'm sorry again for your loss Rose.

I was at church praying this evening....

Collie

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. (Matthew 5:4)

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18)

Prayer of Comfort

You hold time within your hands, and see it all, from beginning to end. Please keep and carry these precious people in their sadness and loss. Cover them with your great wings of love, give their weary hearts rest and their minds sound sleep.

Lord, lift their eyes so that they may catch a glimpse of eternity, and be comforted by the promise of heaven.

We ask all this in the precious name of Jesus.

Amen. 

Merry Christmas to everyone with Christmassy photos from Rose life!

I found it's Christmas. I haven't got a feeling of Christmas this year. I've been working hard, and like, it became Christmas before I knew it.

Yesterday, I knew  － 

Christmas Day is not a day Christ was born, but a day we celebrate the birth of Christ.

"Christ"  "Mas" (Mass)

Christmas Eve is not 12/24, but 12/25 night.

"Christmas"  "Eve" (Evening)

This is the picture Collie sent to me in November. You who live in Michigan recognize where it is?

I talked with Collie using Google Meet. Later, he sent me several screenshots like these. Oooh, I'm laughing too much...(@@)  I didn't know about it.

Every year from November 1st, a Christmas tree is put up at the entrance of the building where my company is in. I didn't see many Christmas decorations in town this year, but this tree was a comfort when I came to work once a week these days.

I enjoyed a Christmassy cake at home❤︎  (raspberry cheesecake with pistachio cream on top)

May your world be filled with warmth and good cheer.

I couldn't post a blog very much lately, but I really appreciate your visiting my blog. This year 2021 was a great change for me because I purchased a condo in a big city. Though I miss my previous apartment where I lived for a long time, I am very thankful that I could timely have an opportunity to move in the room which interior design is my favorite. 

Looking back, how did this year go for you?  

May the gift of love and happiness be yours this season. 

Merry Christmas!  Rose

I'm visiting my secret tranquil spot from time to time.

Something in my life made me feel like going that place.  Here we go!

Looking at the blue sky lifted my spirits. It's so hot today too!

Walking further alongside the Meguro River, I came to this place again. 

I like the comfortable breeze here.  It's like I'm in another world. 

The other day, I had a lunch here with a sushi bowl and canned sparkling wine that I bought nearby. The thing is, while I was taking a walk, I got sooo starving!   

I will come back here again.  I found peacefulness in a big city.  This is my secret tranquil spot. 

Hi I am Rose, again.

Dear People,

I just moved here last month. It was April 19th, 2021 and it will be a memorable day. Since the day in March I wrote about recently, I'd been overwhelmed with a lot of procedures and documents I should handle for buying and moving to my home. Plus, I cleaned, polished, painted my room at the previous apartment, also, pasted peeled wallpapers with glue. The wall of a corner of my room was getting black because of damp. Removing mold from the wall was pretty tough, but I wiped it again and again with cloth using natural soap, then water and finally, it got almost white! I got fatigued and thought I was going to die before moving out. But now, I am here at my new home and started writing my blog. Hello again! 

At the and of April, a previous real estate agency called me and asked why my room was too clean in spite that I'd lived there for many years. He was like, have you renovated it? I explained I tried to restore it as much as possible by myself. That was my gratitude and love for my room where I lived for a very long time. The picture was taken at my previous apartment, which I liked the interior very much. I felt sad about leaving...  

Cheer up! Now my present home is decorated with goods from Michigan as it's always been💖

I am enjoying walking around my place. I tried local groceries and and getting to know, like, which is good for milk and eggs, which is good for 20% off, which is good for affordable vegetables, and I happened to find a small greengrocer too while walking in a quiet residential area. It looks like I've established my own shopping style already. Also, I found a honest bakery's bread made from natural ingredients sold at the supermarket. 

I will show you where I enjoy taking a walk later in this blog. Until then, have a good one. :)

Rose

Happy Valentine's Day to Everyone!

In Japan, women give chocolates to men. I think Feb. 14th is still a day when a woman confesses her love to her special someone with a chocolate. A woman who already has a husband or a boyfriend gives him a chocolate. 

On the other hand, fancy chocolate for myself as a treat is getting popular. Plus, a chocolate can be a small gift as a token of gratitude to people (both males & even females).

So I'm expressing my gratitude with a lovely chocolate picture, to everyone who visits my blog. (Sorry, it's a picture and not a chocolate itself, but...)   Let's open it! 

Happy Valentine's Day to Everyone💚 

How do you celebrate Valentine's Day in your country? In Europe and the United States, men give presents to women, such as chocolates, candies, flowers...right? We all have our own way to spend this day, and it's all right. Having said that, I wonder how it is like in Poland because Collie is Polish American, although he was born and raised in America. :3  I received a poetic message from him❤︎

Still cold, yet it's a sunny day and I feel the breath of spring these days.

May you always have a smile on your face, love in your heart and peace in your soul.

Also, celebrating Saint Valentine on this solemn day, 

Rose

Hello World! Let's treat ourselves for our hard work in this difficult year 2020. :)

✨　✨　✨　✨　✨　

We were in a difficult situation, but we made the best of it!!!

The Christmas season has started☆

Hi guys, it's Rose. How have you been up to?

I thought about living a new apartment and searched for a place to live on the net, but it's not going well.  I might keep living at the present apartment.

When it comes to Christmas time... Have you seen the buildings lit up already? I love this season when we wait for Christmas. The brilliant illuminations in town fill my heart with happiness.

We hear or see the news reports about COVID-19 on TV, the radio, and websites every day. More and more people are infected with the Coronavirus all around the world. Be care of the pandemic! Still, we can keep joyful heart. Would you come to see the pictures of Christmas lights I will post later? :)

Enjoy every moment.

Wishing you warmness and love... Rose 

May this Sunday be blessed with beautiful smiles and the laughter of family, friends, and you.

When I am disagreeable with some people, I tend to ged rid of them from my life. But, I was made to realize that from a preach about today's Gospel MT 18:15-20 at FCC. Jesus treats them as gentiles or tax collectors. For Jesus, gentiles and tax collectors were some of the best members of the church. He drank and ate with them. He healed their family.

God forgives our sins so how can we not forgive people who sinned against us? We are supposed to do the same with Jesus and treat them with mercy. 

Our Lord is generous and gracious. We can feel a presence of God everywhere in our life. And it is a blessing.

May the grace of God be with you and fill you with peace and contentment.  Have a blessed Sunday!   

Rose

Living Every Minute with Love, Grace, and Gratitude

Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed.

Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.

Denis Waitley

Your Word is a Lamp for My Feet and a Light to My Path.

Teruko Yamakawa, the translator of "Foal and the Angels" on our left

Fr.Callistus Sweeney, OFM of Franciscan Chapel Center in the center

Rose who's baptismal name is Raphaela on our right :)

Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light to my path.  Psalm 119:105

We are given a beautiful promise and an eternal truth.. that God's Word

is a gleaming lamp for our feet, which will guide us through the darkness

and it is a shining light to brighten the pathway we take.

To those I look up to, with many thanks for always kind and considerate to me...

Rose