on Mission 2 way back in April 2011, we found this fishing village off the main road in oshika hanto, ishinomaki. it was one of the many villages that were totally destroyed. it was less than a month after the tsunami. but something was different here. we pulled up and seen a group of fisherman working from dusk to dawn cleaning up. with so much uncertainty, these men from Kobochihama were very determined to get things back to normal, with help from the government, or without help from the government. within that group of fishermen, we met Kimura-san. a person who lost more than you can ever imagine. i don’t want to go into that now because when ever i do, i start crying. anyway, each and every time we went back to Kobochihama, Kimura-san greeted us with a smile and warm welcome. we became friends ever since and he is now a part of my life. i think about this man every time and just by his smile, he gives me strength.
that was then, this is now. when i heard about Kimura-san’s new boat ceremony, i checked my calendar, adjusted my schedule, and made sure i wouldn’t miss something i always prayed for. it’s days like this i live for, and it’s days like this that make my life so complete. watching this big, strong, and solid brand new fishing boat pulling into Kobochihama harbor brought chicken skin and tears.
tears building up in my eyes that were hard to describe. if i won a million dollar lottery, i wouldn’t cry. if i won a world championship, i wouldn’t cry. if i came president of the united states, i wouldn’t cry. this was different. this was 3 years and 8 months of emotions all coming out in one moment. this was what i was waiting for, this was in my life “The Day!” all happiness, all smiles, and all joy. this is what We Are One was all about.
japan culture is amazing. so rich in colors, so rich in tradition, and so rich in meaning. i can’t read any of these flags, but i can tell it has enormous importance in what was happening at this moment.
and to see the other fishermen on the boat was amazing. other fisherman that probably don’t remember me, but i remember each one and each of their stories of that tragic day.
a very strong boat for a very strong man.
then seeing Kimura-san’s son on the side of him was a great moment.
it was zero degrees, it was snowing, it was freezing, but it was one of the warmest moments in my life.
three generations of the Kimura-san blood, sweat, and tears.
as we were leaving Kobochihama, Matsu said it best “Hey Kirby, MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!” i almost cried then. i had to hold it in. but now, i don’t. tears of joy rolling down my face. love you all! We Are One.
Photos by: Matsu
