Today, it rained and rained and rained, it was also very humid.  So I decided to stay in and relax most of the day. Late in the afternoon, I went out to Starbucks in Shibuya to meet my friend for conversation and a green tea frappacino (macha cream frappachino). Macha frappachino is my standard drink during these very hot and humid days of summer in Japan.

Shortly after we sat down I noticed these two young children were staring at me, I waved and smiled at them. We exchanged waves and smiles for some time. About 20 minutes later, I asked my friend to say hello to their parents and to give them two packs of Trident sugarless gum (California omiyage) for the two children. Upon receiving their gifts, the children reached into their lunch bags and gave my friend and I a piece of candy.

I remembered that I had been looking for a pen pal for my five-year-old nephew Hakim and I thought these two children would make great pen pals for him. My friend translated for me and I asked the parents if they were interested in having an English-speaking pen pal for their children. They said yes and I gave them my nephew’s address. We took a few photos and the children said goodbye for about 10 minutes. It was such a great experience for my friend and I!

This experience reminded me of the power of positive thinking. About a year ago I found a pen pal for my seven-year-old nephew and they have enjoyed exchanging letters over the past year. Whenever I return from Japan, my nephew always asks me when am I going to find him a “pimple.”  Recently, I have been thinking every day that I need to find a pen pal for nephew Hakim.