Displaced 13th Birthday - July 16

Thirteen years ago on this day, my daughter Julia was born, making me a mother and gifting the world with a spunky soul.  Once we realized we'd be spending her birthday in Japan, we had deliberated some over how to celebrate it.  Two things were important to her if we couldn’t be in Seattle on her birthday:  to have a small early party with a few friends at home, and to celebrate her actual birthday in Tokyo.  No problem.  Beyond that, she just wanted to spend the day with me, doing a variety of things that sounded fun to her.  (I love - and absolutely do not take for granted - the fact that my daughter still likes to hang out with me!)

First thing in the morning, Joy treated us to a very special breakfast of pancakes and fruit.  Seeing as how we’ve been deprived of a kitchen for weeks now, this was a real treat.  Then off we went.  

Knowing Julia was a fan of Hayao Miyazaki’s animated films, I had purchased tickets for that day to the Ghibili Museum which showcases his work as well as that of other anime artists.  It was a bit of a stroll from the Mitaka station to the museum.  The sun was intense and the air humid but the route bordered a stream with a little green belt.  After walking awhile, we found a little bench in the shade where we caught an occasional breeze and had ourselves a spontaneous little chat.  It was the kind of chat everyone should get to have on their birthday, I realized.  All about how the past year had been, what the challenges were, what lessons were learned, what brought joy, what the hopes were for the next year.

We found the museum to be a temple to whimsical creativity.  The building itself looks like something out of a fairy tale.  Inside one can view original drawings, see a reconstructed work space and what the entire process of creating an animated film is like.  I was struck by the incredible level of detailed work involved, as well as by Miyazaki’s self-immersion into so many subject areas.  

Then it was time to shop!  So we took the train to Harajuku and made a B-line for Takeshita-dori, the quintessential teen-shopping street.  Pure insanity or pure heaven, depending on your perspective.  Lots of people, lots of hollering from the store fronts, lots of stores, lots of stuff, lots of different styles and lots of teens dressed up in very unique ways!  Although many of the styes were a little overly feminine for Julia’s taste, she did find a dress she loved, so that was her birthday present.

That evening, we scooped up Joy and all went to dinner at a charming little Italian restaurant in the neighborhood, with food to die for.  (Joy's family had moved to their Nojiri cabin for the summer while she continued on in Tokyo during the work week.)

At some point, Julia observed that being in Japan and displaced from her normal environment made it not seem like a real birthday.  But she also acknowledged that it had been a very nice day, which she appreciated.  And that she was also glad she got to have that little party with her friends back home.