To the fullest

After our daily family breakfast - now with only three of us, instead of four - I walk through the hallway to get Big Brother ready for preschool. Unintentional, I've left the lights in our bedroom burning.

"Papa!" Little Brother screams in excitement. For a second I forget Kenji isn't at home, standing in front of the mirror next to our bed. Not dressing up for work, picking his tie and handkerchief, tying his shoelaces. The second of forgetting bursts in my face like a soap bubble, only the bubble hits me rock hard. Deep aches tie a knot in my stomach. I can barely stand up straight.

Later that morning, Little Brother and I share our special 'two-of-us-time'. "How about some music?" I suggest. "Y-y-yes!" anwers my little man wholeheartedly. Suddenly Michael Jackson is filling the kitchen and I find myself dancing in front of the sink. Little Brother joins me; he wiggles his hips and makes the cutest turns.

A friend once wrote that dancing can save one's life. As I lift my arms into the sky, sing out loud and look at my amazing dancing partner, I cannot wish for anything more than living my life to the fullest.

My blog is featured on Cheerio Road, the truly inspiring blog of Karen Maezen Miller. She is a Zen Buddhist priest and teacher in Los Angeles, who writes about spirituality in everyday life.

A very warm welcome to all readers from abroad! Thank you so much for visiting.