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NOW TO GOOD NEWS! REDEMPTION

A Japanese saying: Shippai wa Seiko no moto. (Failure is the Mother of Success).

American author, Joseph Campbell once said, “Where you stumble and fall, there you will find gold.”^1.

I found my Gold. My Gold, in one who defied his parents and dared to marry a Japanese Canadian. It was definitely not the thing to do, at that time! Much frowned upon.

My husband Howard Johnston gave me the best years of my life!

• As a university student: he took me to study at the University of London, with scholarships. I was allowed to participate as well in the Child Development Education Program.
  
  
• As a Politian: yes, can you imagine he took me to Ottawa. I was the first Japanese Canadian to enter the halls of Parliament. Members of all parties were extremely welcoming and treated me with utmost respect and love. I met Royalty, Heads of State. Maureen McTeer, spouse of Joe Clark, asked me to serve on her social committee, to entertain at Stornoway, the residence of the Opposition Leader.

• As an Artist: after his retirement from Politics, Howard had a show of his paintings at Le Cercle Universitaire d’Ottawa, where all his were paintings sold.

And, at the same time, the then Governor General, the Honourable Ed Schreyer and his spouse Lily (dear friends) invited us to stay at Rideau Hall for the weekend – a momentous occasion. Can you imagine my utter shock when she ushered us into the Royal Suite, informing us that Prince Charles and Diana had occupied the Suite four days earlier – and that we were the next occupants?!

Now you know the answer to my title — "CATTLE STALLS TO ROYAL SUITE.”

A QUICK UPDATE:

• Pat Stewart – Pat and my sister resumed their friendship as adults at the Coast. Pat and her husband owned several hotels in Vancouver and they also own the Vernon Lodge.

• Pettenuzzos bought Father’s business. They retired a few years later as millionaires.

•  Seal Cove – remember? Takao Tanabe of Seal Cove received the Order of Canada – he became a famous Canadian artist – producing enormous minimalists – Canadian scenes – they hang in every corporate building in Canada and the world.

• Dr./ Professor Henry Shirmizu – Prince Rupert – smartest in my class – became the first famous Japanese –Canadian doctor. He was on the first-ever team in North America (Edmonton) to perform a successful reattachment of an arm for a three-year-old girl in rural Alberta. She lost her arm when her Father ran over her while cutting hay. Henry received the Order of Canada for his life-long accomplishments.

•Dr. Miyazaki, of east Lillooet, needed a special Permit just to cross a bridge into Lillooet proper, to serve the Indigenous people who lived on the other side of the Lillooet. Howard recommended Dr. Miyazaki for the Order of Canada. He did receive it. We were invited to the Ceremony of Investiture. While there, unbeknownst to us, was another Japanese-Canadian, there to receive the highest Order of Canada – the Companion. He was none other than Dr. David Suzuki. I went to congratulate him – he was anxious to know what party Howard represented. When I responded Progressive-Conservative, he smilingly looked stunned – he was shocked!

• Tommy Shoyama – his father owned a tiny bakery in Kamloops. Son Tommy became Deputy Minister of Finance, reputedly the second most powerful civil service post in Canada. There are many more Nisei who have received the Order of Canada from all professions.

I want to quote Herman Hesse – a German born poet/novelist/painter. He said: “I have always believed and I still believe that whatever good or bad fortune may come our way, we can always give it meaning and transform it with something of value.”

I believe Japanese-Canadian Nisei are making significant contributions and playing a prominent role in Canada, despite having been incarcerated by our own Government.

An apology to the Japanese Canadians by the Progressive-Conservative Government of Canada came in 1988.

Lastly: I want to dedicate this to my mother - the heroine of my story.

Her sisters called her “Zunai” – formidable – but they prefaced it with, a brilliant mind. Yet, after coming to Canada, she did menial work most of her life – but did it with dignity! No thoughts of embarrassment or humiliation. She struggled all her life to make her children successful and worthy citizens. My parents were richly blessed with six grandchildren who are all successfully contributing to Canada and the world.

I will finish by sharing with you mother’s secret – ONE Japanese word. That word is “Hataraku.” It simply means “work” – but there are two thoughts in this word:

“Hata” means “near you, around you” – like family, neighbour, friends, even strangers.

“Raku” means “to ease, to lighten” – to ease the burden and to lighten the load. So, “Hataraku” combined means “you work for the well-being of others.” Mother did that all her life.

With gratitude
Dale Johnston

Footnote:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Campbell

Credit:

Images courtesy Dale Johnston