On Wednesday May 24th at 6:00pm, there was a welcome party held for Raymond's mother, Sharon, who was visiting Japan at the time. This was the first time that someone from Raymond's family visited Kosaka, so everyone was really looking forward to it. Perhaps due to Raymond's popularity, more than 50 people from the town hall and Kosaka International Society members came out to join the party.

The mayor said that he had been looking forward to Sharon's arrival in the same way he was when Raymond came. He imagined that this woman, who raised such a polite, sincere and kind son, must be a wonderful person indeed. He told her that, although the Sakura season had already ended, he hoped that she would enjoy the fragrance of the Acacia blossoms all over Kosaka. He wished her well on this first visit to Japan, and told her to see as much as she can of the area.

KIS chairperson Reiko Hosokawa told Sharon that her son's language skills (Japanese, French, English, etc.) were very valuable in a town like Kosaka, where we have many visitors from countries all over the world. After the toast from Ms. Hosokawa, Ms. Matthias made her way around the room meeting Raymond's friends and 'family' in Kosaka.

There was a performance by the Acacia Taiko group, after which Raymond and his mother played an impromptu duet on the Taiko drums. Mrs. Kotsugai played a wonderful rendition of the famous Japanese song 'Sakura' on her saxophone. Sharon received a bolt of Yukata cloth from the town, and she gave the mayor two framed pictures of beautiful Canadian scenery, which she had taken herself (one 'Spring' picture, and one 'Autumn'), hoping he would put them up in his office. We all thought they were quite beautiful.

Also, Sharon (who works as a consultant in the field of Health and Social Management), passed along greetings and gifts from the Mayors of two Alberta cities, Red Deer and Spruce Grove.

Through meeting many different people, we expand our possibilities. Behind the shadow of Raymond's mother, his hometown of Edmonton seemed just a bit closer. I'm sure there's no mistaking that this year's English Class trip to Edmonton in the fall will be an interesting one.

by S.H.