One of the things that has struck us in the last week is how fire victims who've lost their homes are coping in such a positive fashion. The piece below is by a longtime friend and colleague of 24th Street Theatre, Elaine Kondo McEwan. Elaine is an educator and artist, who along with Deb, helped influence a young Jack Black at the Poseidon School decades ago. Her husband, Chaz, served as 24th Street's Board Chair for many years. After losing their beautiful home in the Palisades fire, Elaine wrote this piece reflecting on the teachings of her late mother, Kara, who was nisei, second generation Japanese.

Letting Go

By Elaine Kondo McEwan

Spanish translation by Jesus Chima Castaños

As we are going through the experiences of loss, homelessness and uncertainty, I am reminded of things my mother used to tell me when I was growing up. The very things that would elicit eye rolls and deep sighs of disinterest are now coming back to bring me comfort and direction. The concepts of shikata ga nai, gaman, wabi sabi, and mono no aware ring through my ears and resonate through my soul now. Funny how life works out. Mom would laugh (after crying with concern) to hear me sharing these ideas with Chaz and others. She taught me that these challenges bring opportunity for change, reflection, and gratitude.

Shikata Ga Nai. It cannot be helped.  

This is not meant to be defeatist. It simply means acceptance of what has occurred and finding a way to move on. It is about not wasting time with finger pointing, blame placing, or self-pity. It is about focusing on solutions rather than frustrations. It is about Resilience; learning to bend so you don’t break. I am trying to Be Bamboo.

We all fall down, at times. That's just the way life works. It's how we pick ourselves up that defines us. Life is full of surprises. With every challenge comes opportunity. Opportunity to see things through a different lens. Opportunity to change. Opportunity to learn. I'm reminded not to take anything or anyone for granted....

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