I was born and raised in Kumejima . When I was child, Kumejima was my whole wide world. I attended Otake Elementary school. I had kid's gangs. We were together all the time. We went in the woods to pick wild fruit after school. In the summer time we went to swim in the little stream (Nakachi River). I and my friends had a good time growing up in Kumejima. Even that time we didn't have much, like toys or TV, but still we were happy sunshine kids.

When I was in 3rd grade, our school had a Christmas party invitation from an American military base. Each class had to choose one boy and one girl. Some how they choose me to go to the party. That day I was so excited and little nervous too. I never had been to the top of the mountain all my life. I only see big white ball on top of the mountain. But, I never had a chance to visit to top of the mountain.

I had to dress up that day. I was wearing nice clean cute dress, and my favorite red hood coat (It was little chilly that day). All the children and some teachers rode in the back of big Army truck. Of course I and the other kids rode in the truck for the first time in our life. We arrived in an American base. When we arrived top of the mountain, I was so supprissed, because wind was blowing so hard and it was so cold. I saw American GIs wearing short sleeve shirts. I was so impressed with them. I thought all American men were so tough because, they didn't care about the cold.
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All kids were in the big room . They showed us TV, John F. Kennedy was on TV. The man explained to us that he was the president of United States of America. We watched some funny American TV show. Of course we didn't understand any of them, nobody cared, because we were first time watched TV that day. After we watched an American TV show, they took us to another room. We saw big fat white bearded man in a red suit. He was sitting in a big chair in the middle of the room. He was Santa Claus!
   
First time we saw a real Santa Claus. All the boys ran to Santa. They surrounded him. The boys touched Santa's white beard. I was so scared of him. I stayed behind the boys. I tried not to make eye contact to Santa, but, suddenly Santa picked me up and put me on his lap, I was so scared!!!

I had so much fun and excitement that day. After we met Santa, they took us to another room (how many rooms they had anyway?) We all set down at long dinner table. They served us a piece of cake (?) When I put that cake in to my mouth, I thought my cheek fell, because that taste so good!! I never forgot that taste. That cake looked like a cake, but that was not a cake, taste like ice cream but, that was not ice cream. What was it? When I was little, I loved my baby brother so much; I shared with him most everything, but that day when I put that cake in my mouth, I forgot all about my baby brother. Sorry!

I didn't forget that taste for many years. I couldn't figure out what it was. Many years later I married an American man. That time still I was searching for that taste.

My son was born in Okinawa in 1977. We came to USA same year. One day I and my son went to his friend's birthday party. I had a peace cake at that party. When I tasted the cake my memory came back and I was screaming out What is this? f somebody answered for me  gIce cream cake h

When I found the web site Kumejima Okinawa Japan three years ago I was so excited. I couldn't believe my eyes to see those old photos. I felt I was riding in a time machine going back to the 50's and 60's in Kumejima. I wanted to tell you guys thank you very much for being so kind to us (when we were kids) and thank you very much for love Kumejima so much!

I love you guys!