Keiko

Today, was the first day I worked since having the girls! Calling it “work” is a slight exaggeration, I taught my first English class to a Japanese student. I am going to start teaching a few times a week and today I had Keiko an 82 year old women. I meet with her twice a month at a café a few stops away from my train station. I still can’t believe Keiko is 82, not only does she look amazing (I am determined to figure out her secret) she has an unbelievable mind, memory and has a smile that lights up the room. She taught herself English at the age of 41 so she could travel overseas to visit her husband who was working in another country at the time. Her English is incredible, I feel I am more of someone Keiko can practice her English with than a teacher. She told me today that she had always been very shy and extremely introverted until she learned English (at the age 41 mind you). She said learning English forced her to talk more because it was the only way to learn a language and it made her mind and heart open so much that her shyness faded away and she came out of her shell with a whole new outlook on life. As Keiko told me this she was beaming, I got goosebumps and could feel her vigor for life. I know I will learn more from Keiko than she will ever learn from me but its my hope I can be the teacher she needs and leave a mark on her life in some small way. It was such a joy to meet with her and I just wanted to remember this day somehow so I am blogging about it. Oh and did I mention she also takes Spanish and Ukulele classes each week too!