I have just finished watching on the Smithsonian Channel all about these lovely Gardens. It wasn't until I had watched and listened to the sounds that eminate from these peaceful settings I could imagine why Jay had always wanted to return for a visit. He had a number of R and R leaves while he was in the area and though he did not talk about just what it was that had interested him so, I could well see why he was so facinated by the place. Mostly what I have seen of Japan is the crowded, narrow streets with too many people and not enough space for them. The cars have to be small, the streets are not built for anything else.
While Jay was there he had the opportunity to visit a number of interesting places. One being the pearl harvesting area. It was here he picked up some 'cull' pearls. One we had set in a solitare setting that we gave to Keara some years ago. Another, I had set in a rustic mounting that I still have. He had so enjoyed the time he spent there watching the girls dive for pearls and the specialist who sorted; and those that were responsible for putting them into lovely jewlery. Most of which, he said he could hardly afford.
The time he was in the Navy he had 'made port' in a number of interesting places, even Hong Kong. That didn't impress him all that much but he did like Japan. He had opportunity to spend time on a number of the Pacific Islands and of course many places along the California Coast and in the Gulf of Mexico. He missed the Panama Canal. His first ship went through the Canal on its way to the Pacific Campaign. He was not on board at that time. He joined the ship later in San Pedro, California.
When he was recalled to Korea he again had R and R in Japan. I am not sure just what all he did then, but he did have a suit made, which turned Pink after it was cleaned here in the States. Nice suit, but hardly the color for Jay. He also had a jacket made for Paul, who was very small at the time. Amazing with all the visits to such places, he avoided being tatooed as most Sailors fell err to. He always kidded he wanted one, but in reality he thought better of such folly.
Well, after viewing the gardens, and listening to the soft sounds of the birds and the water, I could well see what might draw him back for another visit. I think we would both have enjoyed such a trip very much. It wasn't that we could not, it was always that spending the money for such a trip, or taking time away from the business was more than he was willing to give in to. It was easier to send my Mother and I off for a couple of weeks, doing 'girl' things. Great for us, but sad to say leaving him to work and keep things at home on an even keel.
How I wish now that I had been able to convince him to fulfil the desire to revisit the places that had so interested him. It may have been he was too afraid that time would have changed things too much for him to enjoy it again as he once had done. I learned in the video that some of those gardens have been there for 300 years. I doubt they would have changed, however, I imagine a great many things would have.
When we went to Hawaii in 1985 he was so disappointed he could not even locate where their 'liberty boat dock' had been. Pearl Harbor was far from what he remembered from the 3 months he had spent there training.
We should never be surprised by such things, I guess. Nothing stays the same even today. If you aren't in an area while things are being built and re-arranged, coming back later seems as if the whole town is different. Not that staying away is all that good either. It just seems we need to expect change, and look for those things that may never change in a number of years. With the traditions they have in Japan, I doubt you could go back there in another 50 years and not find those lovely gardens just as well manicured as they were when he first saw them, or as they are today. Such beauty is worth the time it takes to maintain it, and the reverence with which it continues.
Puphaps Jay has found his Japanese Garden equivalent where he is, and is enjoying it far more than ever he would have in another visit to Japan. Might well be!?
Written this 10th day of June 2010
by: Eileen Rosenberg
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