Gentle Giant Meadows Ranch
  • Home
  • "Almost" Daily Diary
  • Maureen's 60th Birthday Trip to England
  • Gertie and Quest: A True Story - The Book
  • Foresaken Love
  • The Gentle Giants
  • Photo Gallery
  • WWOOFER Program
  • John & Jean Hudson Wedding Nov 2013
  • Lambs
  • Poo Time
  • Memories of a New Cattle Rancher

Farewell Tomoko

1/4/2014

4 Comments

 
There is an empty space at the table this evening. Sadly, young Tomoko has returned to California and I'm ashamed to admit I only learnt one Japanese word...and discovered that I habitually use another Japanese word on a daily basis without knowing that I was bilingual...OI !!! is my attention grabber, the word I use when Bran the border collie rolls in the compost heap, when Charm the palomino has an attitude and when I catch Tiger the ( neutered) tabby cat  wishfully spraying testosterone on the hay bales." OI !" translates from Japanese as "hey " ...all this time I was smarter than I knew...it just me a lovely young Japanese exchange student to bring it to my attention. smile. We will miss Tomoko. We didn't say good bye, we said "till next time" ...because we know she will be back. Tomoko like Nara, Song  and Shoma before her brought some Eastern magic to the ranch....our life, so familiar and routine to us is a Western experience to be absorbed by them.... and we in turn have learnt so much from their enthusiasm and culture. Our family around the world grows, with each young visitor our love and appreciation of life beyond our boundaries expands. We are grateful that our little family ranch has been able to reach into the lives of such special young people from all over the world and happy that somehow religion, language, culture and history can blend into such a special memory. Tonight, Tomoko's arrow, pointing towards Japan has joined the others on the signpost in the barnyard.

I HURT !!! How does it work that you visit the chiropractor, know full well that he is going to crunch your bones, crack your neck and squeeze your ribcage, you pay him and say ”when do I come back for round 2". Thank you  Doctor Dave in Key Center for the physical abuse I endured this afternoon...I still want to know just how you expect me to relax when I am fully and painfully aware that you are going to bear hug me into a bone crack ? Tonight it's an early night with some Tiger Balm, Icy Hot and Bengay....oh and a strong whisky..just in case. Take care, keep safe ( and if your bones hurt...visit Doctor Dave) M
4 Comments
Alan G Buford
1/3/2014 10:27:09 pm

That was a lovely, touching story of your latest new young assistant. Memories are made & family is extended, as we go along...

Reply
dean earnshaw
1/3/2014 10:37:41 pm

Mum
they are lovely words.and if tomoko reads these I to wish her self and her own family all the best.and it was lovely to meet you on Skype xx

Reply
Tomoko Yamauchi
1/3/2014 11:23:19 pm

Thank you for everything!!
I already miss you and what I experienced at your farm :(
But I'll definitely visit you again. See you again <3

Reply
Annie x
1/7/2014 06:01:04 am

Once again another visitor leaves the Ranch having become another member of the extended Sikora family. We hope that Tomoko had a really lovely time there, it looks like she did ...
Love the pictures of the farm in the cold....it looks ethereal
Lots of love Annie and Mal xox

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Its me, Maureen, (the Boss)

    Archives

    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.