The Tea Bunch: A Judson School Connection

During 2008, I got a phone call from a dear friend and colleague, Lisa Schwantz. At the now-defunct Judson School (where I once worked), Lisa was officially the Japanese Student Advisor but unofficially the "surrogate mother" for all the ESL students. Lisa said that she had recently been talking to another friend and colleague, Debbie Kade (who had been one of the librarians at Judson). In the above photo, Lisa is standing on the left, and Debbie is standing on the right. Masayori (Masa) Hashinaka, a former Judson student who has stayed in Phoenix, is seated on the right.

Lisa then told me that she and Debbie had a proposal: that, to renew our friendship, we would start a tradition of meeting at least once a month for tea and conversation. I enthusiastically said I was interested, Lisa started organizing things, and not long after the call, our meetings began. They've continued very regularly on at least a monthly basis and have been wonderful.

In the meetings, we catch each other up on what we've each been doing, report whatever news we've heard from former Judson staff and students, give each other small gifts, share Judson mementos, and much more.

We sometimes have additions to our group. For example, as shown in the photo above, Masa Hashinaka frequently joins us. A former non-Judson student of mine, Tomoko Marafi (who now lives in Kuwait), has also been our guest.

How I enjoy these get-togethers! Thanks, Lisa-san and Debbie, for showing me the enduring power of friendship and bringing so much warmth and happiness to my life!