Farewell to Eric Shigeno
Every year there are upper belts who make their way out of the Karate Club--it is in the nature of things to change. This inevitability does not make it much easier to say goodbye to those who move on into lives outside the club. However, knowing that things do not last forever makes each moment worthwhile and special. Thus it was with this last year. This last year we said goodbye to Eric Shigeno, a black belt whose influence on those around him shall forever be remembered.
Upon having met Eric for the first time, he tried to make me smile and not be so serious. Out of all the wonderful upper belts in the Karate Club, he was the one with whom I could most relate. He took me under his wing, so to speak, and tried to instill in me certain ideals that he held important. The occasional teasing only showed his playfulness, and genuine concern. And oh, do we remember the teasing...but in his way, he encouraged all of us to be more than we were. All formalities aside, Eric was an excellent student, a black-belt, and most of all, a friend. And he was my friend. Like all friends of this caliber, his impact on my life shall not easily be forgotten. For the better, part of Eric Shigeno is now part of me--taking his place among all the other influential people in my life. Best wishes for Eric in his new job and life in Oregon, and may he return someday to find the seeds he planted growing into beautiful things.
- Tom Bui |