Dear Mochi,

In just a few days it will be Christmas, and soon after that the beginning of a new year.  Grandma and myself think of you always.  With the advent of the holiday season we wanted you to know how much you are in our daily thoughts and hearts.   Time seems to have passed by so quickly since we last held you, talked with you and laughed with you.  Your smile, politeness, tender ways and infectious laugh continue to resonate within our souls daily.  In just the few years we were able to be present in your daily life, you brought a life long carpet of happiness to ours.  

To coincide with the Dec. 18th rally in Tokyo by parents there, we took to the streets of Seattle to speak with holiday shoppers about how they can help children that have been abducted to and within Japan. As usual people here in the U.S. were shocked to learn about this human rights crisis.

Japan is a country with a heart two sizes too small.  It is the only country in the world which has NEVER returned a single abducted child. While it may be individuals who are stealing children, it is the Government of Japan that does nothing to resolve these cases allowing the abductions to take place.  As the single worst country for harboring internationally abducted children, Japan has shown the world they truly are a Grinch that steals children.

Went to Iwaki again Friday, December 2nd.

Upon arriving at the Suzuki family home I discovered it to be very quiet. I heard a television on in a side room and upon knocking and investigation it turned out that my father-in-law was there sleeping. It seems that my middle daughter Lauren had returned from school and was upstairs either playing very quietly or (more likely) having a nap. Suzuki Akiyoshi (her grandfather) upon waking him had no idea that she was even there. What is wrong with these people that a six year old is left to fend for herself in the company of an ill old man who is unaware of her presence. Children walk the streets alone here in Japan. They are raised by schools and ostensibly must raise themselves much of the time. My father-in-law had no idea where his wife was, no clue where my eldest daughter Rion was, no information at all. Unbelievable and sad.