Nov. 14/1991 - Okayama, Japan - Letter to my father - was found today (Dec. 21, 2014) among Dad's things.

Dear Mom and Dad, Hello from Japan. Thanks for the letter and the photo of Jane. By the way, Irma and I plan to have the civil part of our marriage performed tomorrow at the city hall. Afterwards, the religious ceremony will take place (in a couple of weeks). I'll try to call you from the city hall just before signing of papers. Opps! Irma just popped into the house on the way from her homestay to her class a the university. She is very happy and says she couldn't sleep last night because we are getting married tomorrow. We've invited a couple of our closest friends - Deirdre Roberts from the Education Centre (and my mom-away-from moms) and Monica, Irma's best friend from Argentina. And now she's gone - like a thread of gossamer caught in a gust of wind that is the breath of God. This morning I was listening to Radio Canada International, in French. The main story was about a conference in Hull for Native Women. It is seen as a blow for male natives because the women want their rights and freedoms enshrined in the "Declaration of Rights and Freedoms". Most native leaders are men, and the women are apparently worried that their rights will not be guaranteed unless they appeal to the federal government. Or something like that. It's nice to hear Canadian french again. Classes went well at Ujo High last night. That's my night school. Until recently I was only team-teaching one class per night. I asked to teach alone three classes per night. Last night I taught my first three classes. The last class was pure magic, with me sitting in front of the class and all the students listening to English and me asking them to translate everything into English. First I taught them about hello, good morning, good afternoon and good evening. Next I said: What is your name, and they told me their names. Then I drew a stick-figure on the blackboard and asked them to guess his name. How old is he, etc. It was truly inspired teaching and the class came alive!! (Nov. 15) Tonight I get married. This morning I got up at maybe 3:30 a.m. - must be nerves. I've been freezing here in my apartment. Been thinking how Japanese is taking over the world, and how English-speaking nations are simply lying down and playing dead. But the world is made up of individuals, and there are lazy and hard-working individuals in every nation. Last night I had two more good classes at Ujo. It's really quite a turnaround from the recent past. It just goes to show that anything is possible: if you find a situation unacceptable, change it!! Tonight at 4 p.m. I get married at the city hall. And I'm looking forward to it. I love Irma. Enough said, for now I must go and prepare my blue suit for tonight. Lots of love on this important day, Mom and Dad and family. Thanks againfor bringing me up and preparing me so well for this day. Quite an achievement. Your loving son, Bern. XX0X0X Love your son, Bern.