Bridges

I've always been intrigued by bridges.  Not only are they beautiful architectural structures, but they are also physical and metaphorical structures that connect places and people and symbolize transition and transformation.  I recently went on holiday to Brazil for two weeks, where I had an incredible time eating, observing, and relaxing with a good friend and her family.  I also enjoyed meeting my family of 70+ people whom I had never met before.  The word "bridge" has lingered in my mind as I continue to ponder the significance of this visit and its certain lasting impact on so many of my family members.

Several decades ago, my great grandma immigrated to Hawaii along with several siblings.  Only one sister, for reasons unknown to me at the moment, immigrated to Brazil.  I believe their motivations were similar -- looking for manual labor on coffee, pineapple, or sugar fields to send back home or make a living.  My great grandma and her sister never saw each other again but continued correspondence through letters and voice recordings.  From these two women have come generations of Higas, Nakandakares, Yoshimotos, Oyakawas, Shiromas, Kuniyoshis, Shimabukuros, and the list goes on.  There had been some contact and visits between the older generations of cousins, but until this last visit, contact among the younger folks had been lacking.

I suppose it was after my grandpa passed away in 1999 that I started wondering why he and my grandma had gone to Brazil to visit.  When I was younger, I thought it an odd vacation locale but knew they had gone to visit relatives.  Over the years, my curiosity grew.  When a good college friend announced that she was going to Brazil, I decided it was time for me to go too.

When my Brazilian relatives found out I was visiting, they began planning a barbecue in my honor.  When I arrived, I was immediately greeted with hugs and a flat-screen TV with the words "Welcome Shayna" scrolling across.  Over the next few hours, more and more people came streaming in.  I took pictures with everyone there.  Luckily I know enough Japanese to speak with the older ones, which was great.  Some of the younger ones could speak English, so the bravest ones approached me and we got to know each other.  At one point, I had to get up and make a short speech.

It was such a festive but busy time that I couldn't even fully think about it while it was happening.  It was only later that I could really reflect on all that had happened and what it means to me.  The best way to describe it is as if I was separated from my family at birth, always knowing my family existed somewhere else, and finally being reunited.  There was a love and common history that somehow transcended all those miles and laid a foundation for immediate bonding and warmth.  I feel so honored that they would go through all that trouble for me.  I also learned that these gatherings are actually pretty rare for them as well, so my visit was a great opportunity for everyone to get together.  There were so many smiles and hugs, laughter, pictures, and even some tears.


As years pass, it's inevitable that people will pass and things will change.  Both my Brazilian and Hawaiian families have suffered several losses over the years, and watching a beautiful video that my cousin Juliana had made reminded me of all those who are no longer with us, namely my grandpa.  Many years ago, just as I had done, he got up in front of them and gave a speech.  I never talked to him much about what Brazil was like, but I wonder if he too felt like a bridge, spanning the continents, the generations, the cultures, the ages, and the differences.  Grandpa, I hope you're proud of what you see -- all the bridges we are forming today as a result of the one you built many years ago.  We miss you.