San Mateo Buddhist Women’s Association
by Carrie Yoshimoto
Greetings to you all from our shelter-in-home: office, classroom, kitchen restaurant, playground, and many travel destination – kitchen to bedroom, to living room, to dining room, to backyard gardens and back again! Hope you’re nothing like me who has totally lost track of time, days, weeks, months … what are we now on day #1753? All kidding aside, we hope you all continue to remain healthy and safe from harm’s way.
We trust you all continue to attend Sunday Family Dharma Services – virtually! We are so fortunate to have the guidance of our Reverend Adams, who thankfully is technologically astute and has provided us these weekly gatherings without missing one beat! Arigatai..Gokurosama! If you have not been able to access and need assistance to join, please let us know… Sensei, David Chin, Miyuki Friedman, Yuko Suruki and myself, are all available to assist. NOTE: you do not need a computer to join, you can join via phone as well, so do not let this be a hindrance.
Been sorely missing our BWA monthly gatherings and activities. I am so looking forward to the Sunday when we can socially gather. Then, with our delicious goodies in hand, we can meet to discuss future activities. But for now, to keep all safe, June activities are cancelled, including our beloved Annual Temple Bazaar. It will be an interesting summer indeed as many of us schedule weekends around visits to fellow Temple bazaars and obons. What we will do? How about, we optimistically look to the future and begin planning on a huge CRAFT FAIR blowout?!! After WBWC we have proven that #1 we are blessed with many talented artisans, bakers and cooks etc. #2 we can raise monies for any BWA/Temple needs! Whatever, your talent, let’s begin building inventory in whatever craft, foodstuffs (canning, pickling …hint hint Rose!) and later baked goods. Works two folds… at least for me…#1 keeps my idle hands from filling my greedy tummy … it’s no longer the “Freshman 20”, it’s fast becoming the “COVID 19”… yikes! #2 keeping us close to the BWA mission … to help support our Temple … even in SIP! Are we on board….show of hands??!
FACEMASKS available: our resident master seamstress, Carole Lee, designed and has generously sewn over 100+ facemasks for our Temple members. If wish to receive, please let us know … we still have remaining inventory. We are most fortunate that Carole steps-up-to-plate without asking and is so generous with her time and donation of material. Gokurosama Carole … we appreciate your Spirit of Dana incredibly! And, many thank you’s to Gayle Fujinaga who has graciously helped with distribution.
We wish you continued good health and safety. As restrictions are lifted, please go with caution. If you need ANY assistance, please let us know. While we are unable to meet in-person, we are all here to support our members. Finally, we hope to ‘see’ you at the Sunday Family Dharma Services, virtually.
Miss you all so much!!!
In Gassho,
Carrie Yoshimoto Co-Recording Secretary