Fifty-eight years ago, our family had a foreign exchange student student from Tokyo spend a year with us. It was truly an amazing experience for both Toko and me to spend our senior year enjoying the ins and outs of American culture. Surprisingly, we have remained “sisters” and have continued to see each other and be a part of each other’s families. Of course, I’ve never ventured to Japan, but my worldly Toko has traveled the continents and always makes time to stop in Phoenix.

She has been here the last three weeks, and we’ve been to South Carolina to see our new baby. We’ve gorged ourselves on her favorite US cuisine, and we’ve shopped until we dropped. Both my sister and brother and their spouses spent a weekend with us, and we entertained Toko with the Ohio State football game at a sports bar. (She was bored with the game but enjoyed the beer!) One of her friends from Chicago also visited for a few days and explored the sights.

We’ve had an exceptional time, filled with delightful conversations on politics, leadership, families, children, and age. Yes, we’ve talked about the reality of age. “Sue, I will not be back to Phoenix again. It’s just too much for me. My total traveling time was 21+ hours, waiting in long lines, walking great distances, crammed into tiny spaces. I just can’t do it again.”

“You, the world adventurer, tells me you’re not going to do it anymore?” I gasp, “I hope you’re not suggesting I do it! No way! I can’t read, nor speak Japanese!”

Our conversation turned reminiscent and morphed philosophical. We talked about climate, war, and death. Though we didn’t solve one world problem, each of us went to bed with a mutual understanding and hope for our grandchildren’s future. Oh, and we did agree we weren’t too old to rendezvous in Hawaii in a couple of years.