There’s a gusty wind today, roiling the crowns of the towering evergreen trees, and sending pigeons and crows tumbling across the cloudless sky.
I left a New Year party last night cold and despondent, not sure what the point of parties is. But today, when I thought about how much I’d learned about some of the guests, I appreciated it greatly, and felt a warmth toward everyone there. Plus there was the selfless love of the hosts who organized and served us such a spread, washing glasses and dishes between courses while we talked.
On the way home, I was standing on the platform of Fujisawa Station when a sleeper train from Tokyo roared through on the way to--the information windows on the sides of the cars said--Takamatsu, which I couldn’t immediately place, but knew was in West Japan.
This morning I got an email from an old student who had become a roommate and close friend before dropping off the radar. He was traveling in West Japan and told me he’d reached Takamatsu in Kagawa Prefecture. Right, Kagawa on Shikoku Island is where Takamatsu is. What a great joy it is to be in touch with him again after 20 years, and know that he's fine.
--Julian
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