Our world is. Some are fortunate and some are not. I was lucky enough to born in this family, in this time, and at this place. My grandfather came to America in the early 1900s to carve out a new life for the one he had back in Japan. America is truly a land of opportunity. His fathers before him worked had and lived life with integrity and honor. He passed that legacy onto his son, My Father. He, in turn, passed on the values that his forefathers passed onto him to me at an early age. Growing up, I didn't always follow the rules or do the right thing but I always knew what was right and what was wrong.
My father and the generations before him were farmers who lived off the land. They were proud of what they had built. It became apparent to him that I would not be following in his footsteps as a farmer. I was too much of a dreamer. He was probably disappointed by that but he never once failed to support me in anything I wanted to do. His words of encouragement and his undying support enabled me to to spread my wings and fly to whatever venture I chose.
Now as a father myself with sons, I can only hope that I have laid the groundwork for them to be able live life with honor and integrity. I pass this onto them so they can carry the torch. I hope they understand how lucky they are to be born in this time, at this place and in this family.
Guest Musician - Ryan McKinley violin - another excellent performance
My father and the generations before him were farmers who lived off the land. They were proud of what they had built. It became apparent to him that I would not be following in his footsteps as a farmer. I was too much of a dreamer. He was probably disappointed by that but he never once failed to support me in anything I wanted to do. His words of encouragement and his undying support enabled me to to spread my wings and fly to whatever venture I chose.
Now as a father myself with sons, I can only hope that I have laid the groundwork for them to be able live life with honor and integrity. I pass this onto them so they can carry the torch. I hope they understand how lucky they are to be born in this time, at this place and in this family.
Guest Musician - Ryan McKinley violin - another excellent performance
FATHER, U&I
Father, You and I, are made from the earth and sky
We call this earth our home a place to sanctify
Father, You and I, are blood till the day we die
Well, we won't leave each other alone
Amidst the fallen thrones
To save what we call home
Father, You and I
Father, You and I, at times we see eye to eye
You forged your life from the earth as you taught me to fly
Father, You and I, well we both have our separate lives
But we believe in each other
And in the vision each other sees
Bonded by family
Father, You and I
We have followed the dreams we both have seen
Taken by tomorrow and the hope that it will bring
Father, You and I, are blood till the day we die
Bound by generations that have come before
Father, You and I, have our home of the earth and the sky
So together our fates become
The cycle of Father to Son
Our strength, our honor are one
Father, You and I
We call this earth our home a place to sanctify
Father, You and I, are blood till the day we die
Well, we won't leave each other alone
Amidst the fallen thrones
To save what we call home
Father, You and I
Father, You and I, at times we see eye to eye
You forged your life from the earth as you taught me to fly
Father, You and I, well we both have our separate lives
But we believe in each other
And in the vision each other sees
Bonded by family
Father, You and I
We have followed the dreams we both have seen
Taken by tomorrow and the hope that it will bring
Father, You and I, are blood till the day we die
Bound by generations that have come before
Father, You and I, have our home of the earth and the sky
So together our fates become
The cycle of Father to Son
Our strength, our honor are one
Father, You and I