Barrett’s dad landed back here in Okinawa after his first landing as a Marine, 55 years ago. Let’s just say, it has changed a little bit from the barren rock of war it was back then, to the bustling tourist hop it is now! What a joy it was to share this little island with family and a friend!
Dad2 landed here the day before Thanksgiving and we promptly had him helping us with buying food, plates, and various sundries at the commissary to host over 200 Marines the next day. Then off to swim lessons with Annabelle where he and Barrett joined her in the pool for a spill. After 20 minutes of frigid air, they were ready to go and feast on Turkish food made by Antonio! This was the beginning of his random tastes of cultural food in Okinawa. The falafel was a big hit!
The next morning (Thanksgiving) he was off to the races with Barrett to set up tables, decorate, and welcome other volunteers at the chapel while Annabelle and I cooked up pies and stuffing to stuff our lonely Marines. I would spot him chatting with Marines, clearing their plates, and making sure everyone had what they needed. The Marines all signed his “Happy Thanksgiving” banner so he could have a memory of that meal. Then we went home, cooked some more food and headed to our friends house for another meal with friends and Marines…and a mean game of catch phrase!
The following day we brought out the Christmas flare and decked our hall with lights and various sized trees while singing with the carols playing in the background! We shared stories and laughed as we hung each ornament. Then we were off again for a farewell time for a dear Sailor who was leaving the island the following week. We ended the night with trying out new chopsticks at a sushi restaurant a few blocks from home.
Since the next day was Saturday, Dad2 was able to see his rowdy boy preach to his congregation and I could see his eyes light up with pride. No matter how old you are, its great to have your parents see what you are doing and be proud of you. I again saw him engaging with many of our friends as they told him stories of Barrett. I’ll leave it to your imagination if they were naughty or nice!
The rest of our time was spent having an Okinawan survivor take us around battle sites and museums to explain what happened there 60 years before. We took a trip to Okinawa world to see, hear, and taste the culture through drum shows, snake holding, and trying every sample of seaweed soup, sweet potato cookies, and dried fruit we came upon. We walked down Kokusai Street into the fish market where Annabelle was teased by the fish sellers with live lobsters, snails, and crawfish. We were able to stick our heads in the various tourist picture spots as well as make up fun pics of our own! We walked the seawall, had sushi go-around, and had our own food in a bowl cooked for us at Ghengas Khan Mongolian Barbeque. We went to American village to see the Japanese decorate with life size Santa’s at every store and explore Okinawa from atop of the Ferris wheel! Then we introduced him to Asian Karaoke and Tailor Swifts new song. We sang Connie Francis, Jingle Bells, Lazy, Hazy, Crazy days of summer, Every Brothers, Jesus Loves Me, and Coldplay! What better way to end the night but with Indian food and our friend Khristina joining us?
He was also able to see Annabelle preform her first tap dance recital on a huge stage at Tinsel Town! We don’t like to brag, but she was the very, very early opening act for Colbie Caillat who sang later on that evening. Annabelle and her friends stole the show with their rendition of Rudolph the Red nose Reindeer! The other highlight was bringing him to the Chaplain Corp birthday ball where he dressed in his tux and we squeezed into our garb to rub shoulders with more friends and a 3 star general! Laughs abounded and the dancing was amazing!
Having Dad2 come and experience our lives here made us appreciate even more how Okinawa has become our home. We are thankful for all our friends who have become like family and make this rock beautiful. We are thankful that the Lord has placed us here where we can serve alongside with so many amazing people.