My father just recently had his 60th birthday last night.  In Japanese tradition we celebrate this birthday and call it Kanreki（還暦） , it means rebirth. So we had a big party with 80 of our closest friends.  We had many people that we hadn’t seen in ages.  I was told to give a speech which I was terrified at giving,  I talk to people all the time for my job but talking in front of a large group still scares me.  I really wasn’t at all prepared for my speech but in my mind I was running through some funny things that I would say.  The original plan was to wing it and not write anything down, but I thought the wiser and decided to write out the speech.  I had to be witty and funny, at the same time be honest and heartfelt, which sounds easier than it is.  I poked fun at my dad’s age and told him that he is very difficult but those that know him, know that he only gets angry at the ones he cares about.  And I gave him many reasons to love me!  I got a good response from this and it made me feel a little better about reading in front of the large group.  My dad had a blast of a time, this was very unexpected and he loved it.  I think knowing that he’s getting older he values family more and more and wants to express it.  My father is kind of a samurai（武士） in that he holds his feelings in and doesn’t like letting people in.  He only tells you he loves you if you just got lickens.  He is a tough man but he made me what I am today and for that I am thankful.

Love you pops!