Sapporo, Japan, 28 May, 2013~

Ohaiyogezaimasu!  Ogenki desu ka?  Genki desu, doumu arigatou!

This is your friend, Michiko Nagasaki, writing!  I pray this finds each and every one of you well!  As for me, I cannot wait until the baby is born in a few months!  

Yes, you read correctly: I am about to become a mother!  I am 8 months pregnant, to a little boy (our first)!  He will be named Hiroshi Kazuhiko.  I am praying with all my heart that our son is healthy when he is born, but even if he isn't, both Kenji and I will love him, no matter what!

I am still writing and going to university, to work towards becoming a professional journalist.  University is very difficult at best, but I have proven to be a diligent student who takes her grades and schooling very seriously.  I am very proud of how far I have come in my studies, and so is my husband, Kazuhiko. 

I have adapted to my blindness quite well, but some days I still turn sad, especially when I realize that I will never see what my child's face will look like.  I am sure he will be beautiful; most babies are.  I also turn sad when I realize the natural beauty that is about me; Japan is a beautiful country.  I love Japan with all my heart!

I am glad to be back here, where I can be close to my family: my sisters Amma, Kyoko, and Hiroku, and my brothers Kenji and Kazuhiko make sure I have all that I possibly need (as does my husband); they take very good care of me.  Sometimes I feel like a child's plaything because they will not leave me be for a second; they treat me as though as if I am made of glass, and it infuriates me to no end!

Just because I happen to be blind doesn't mean I am incapable of doing things for myself!  I happen to be able to do a lot of things: read, write (with special computers or by using braille), sew, get about town, go to and from university, take care of my husband and household duties, and so much more.  I also go to church and sing in the choir every Sunday and Wednesday and happen to enjoy it very, very much.

I heard from my friend in the U.S.A., Miss Louisiana Sandusky; she was my nurse when I first became blind after a tornado.  She took very good care of me and regales me with tales about her family.  I miss her very much; I love keeping in touch with her.  She is such a lively, vivacious spirit, and her family is amazing!  I am proud to call Louie and her family my friends!

I will have to write to her when I get some time; it is hard, though, because this week is finals, and then university is out for the summer.  Maybe while I am off I can write to her; I'll try to do this before little Hiroshi is born!  LOL

The weather here is rainy and cool; so I am doing my best to try to amuse myself by reading or by writing.  So far I have been successful, though my journaling is something to be desired: I last wrote back in February of 2012!  Over a year ago!  EEK!!  LOL

Well, my dear Kazuhiko wants to use the computer now, so I must get back to my household duties.  I will try to write sooner than I did this time around.  Please forgive me!  Until next time, this is Michiko Nagasaki saying sayonara!  God bless!

~Love, your friend in Japan, Michiko.  :)