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Heather Pratt ('77): Going to the Nashville reunion was a turning and returning point for me in my life. Big things had been brewing for me - a time for change and looking ahead to better times. I am one of many who has had to , in a sense, sweep my life in Japan under the proverbial carpet, as it were, in order to fit in here in my relatively new life in New England. I came from twenty years in California where I graduated from college and began my life as a professional musician and instructor. Having two beautiful children pushed me to move out of the crime and into a more serene and safe environment for my whole family. But here I discovered that the circles are more tightly knit, the traditions are what they are, without looking to the rest of the world and especially not to "third culture kids" - we might as well be aliens in this part of the country - Southern Vermont, that is. Don't get me wrong, I like it here and appreciate that my kids are getting that hometown homebase life I never had, and mostly that they are safe. But Mom has had to let go of life in Tokyo and live as a misplaced New Englander in order to create a good life for the kids. Until I came to the reunion. There I realized that life in Japan and the memories I cherish are still very much alive in my heart and soul and I need not bury them anymore. It was, of course, all about the people I connected with and the memories we all have of a party extravaganza I have never known the likes of. Brent Ware gave a piece of himself in a way that many people can't even conceive of, and it was a gift to me I will treasure forever. I am sure I am not alone in feeling this. The events and the people attending the events made it what it was, and I feel blessed for the experience. Some of the people I connected with were Naomi Nakajima - we picked up where we left off twenty-nine years ago as if the time in between hadn't happened. She is a peach and sent a Christmas package to me and my kids, Nashville photos included! I hope to meet with her again in the near future. Nathan Lund, whom I knew very little of, was a monumental help to me in overcoming, finally, a severe case of lead poisoning, by offering me vitamins from his stash that did the trick. I was not only eternally grateful but also able to enjoy the rest of the trip as I arrived with yet another sinus infection which threatened to disable yet another trip for me. Thank you Nathan!! You are a great guy. Mirja Karikosky - I loved and idolized her as a freshman when she was a senior, and had thought about her lots after ASIJ days. My condolences to her for the tragic death of her wonderful sister Eija, whom I also remember with love and humor!! On Saturday, at the farm, Mirja was in the living room with the grand piano when I had the chance to play it - such a treat to play such an instrument. She then asked me later if I would send her some of my music, which I am working on. It was inspiring to touch someone with my creativity and to be so appreciated. Nanae Hunter was someone I knew very little of at ASIJ, but was the first person I spoke with at the Hilton that Friday afternoon, and we clicked. Somehow we were able to spend some quality time during the events - amazing - as there was so much happening all at once, wasn't there? I hope we keep in touch. Carl Sundberg, well, he is an icon of ASIJ from the past, the present and will be into the future. I had such wonderful talks with him on Friday night, Saturday on our horsebackriding adventure (one of the highlights of the trip for me) and he gave me a sense of resolution regarding some very delicate issues that had been bothering me for some time. Carl, you are a very kind and gentle soul and I am so glad you are still an active part of life at ASIJ. Maybe that choral position will open up for me and we'll be co-workers...Another wonderful soul I connected with but didn't know very well at ASIJ was Paul Swain. Although we didn't spend a lot of time together, the time we did share was priceless and I am really glad to have gotten to know him. We became good friends and he has had a lot of intelligent input on life changes, marketing, parenting, all offered with an incredible sense of humor. Thank you Paul, for such a kind heart. You are a great inspiration. I know we'll keep in touch. And to all of you I didn't mention, thank you for a wonderful time in Nashville! The memories both opened up and created have given me a sense of hope I felt I had lost years ago. I wouldn't have imagined that going to a reunion (it wasn't even my class!!) would or could have done this for me and I am eternally grateful - especially to Brent and all those who worked to put it together. Needless to say, I hope that there will be more and I will attend. Likely I will bring my children so they can get a feel for the incredible people I knew so long ago and the culture that is the beauty of Japan and the American School in Japan.
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