Happy Independence Day (Weekend)

On Saturday, we had Mom's 49 Day Memorial Service...a tradition in the Jodo Shinshu Buddhist faith. Rev. Hanayama wrote a fantastic, albeit lengthly explanation of the 49 day service. Basically, when a person dies, they face "judgement" every 7 days to determine which realm a person would be reborn into. The 49th day is the final judgement. This custom started in India, travelled through to China then to Japan, where it was brought over with my Grandfather's generation to the US.

After the service, we had dinner...and then hung out at the house. Dad had ordered a birthday cake for me and Uncle Sam...but, he went to sleep, so, Dave took cake to his house.

Karen, Haku and Kalena came to the house for cake...here is Jeff with Kalena.


Much to Neil's delight, Auntie Lori Yoshida sent some fireworks with Rev. Hanayama for the boys. Jeff had told the boys and my Dad that we were NOT going to do fireworks...it was nice...Mom would have liked the boys to do some...it was the perfect amount. Even Uncle Gary got in the mood...



Please note, that these were the safe and sane fireworks....much to our shock and surprise....my father's friend's house was burnt down on the 4th by bottle rockets. Both cars and the entire house was gutted...luckily both he and his wife are safe...especially when you consider that he just turned 95 on the 2nd...yes, we share our birthday...

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