To You

Thank you for remembering us at Christmas. We’re unable to send you a Christmas card, but you are in our hearts. I’m not naming names because you know who you are.

Around here, in the Japan countryside, Christmas is just another day of the year. I haven’t been greeted with a “Merry Christmas” even once today. The decorations, lights, and commercialism don't exist here. I’m sure those things exist in the big cities, just not here. It’s funny. I was sick and tired of the commercialism in the U.S. Every moment I was reminded of the fact that it was Christmas. I think you know what I mean. All of that is gone. We have to remind ourselves that it’s Christmas. Erika and I have never exchanged presents. Not for birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, etc.…not even once. We feel that purchasing presents help the economy, not our relationship. Christmas is for kids and for the kid at heart. I love this time of year. It is unfortunate that many people share the “Christmas spirit” only during the holiday season. The rest of the year, people generally keep to themselves. We’re lucky in that we can share ourselves every day with our students and parents. Sure, it’s exhausting, but it’s also rewarding. Someday, in the near future, we would like to give some of our time to the kids in the orphanages in Japan. They could use some Christmas spirit year round.

Well that’s our Christmas message to our friends and relatives. Please take care and have a great holiday and New Year.

Wishing you the very best. Cheers!

Kiley and Lucky, Erika and George