Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo!

I’m flying back from Tokyo today. Although I only had a week to spend in Japan this time (I have chemo Wednesday morning, and need to keep the infusions on track) I consider the trip a resounding success.

I met with my immigration representative and signed my visa application. I received confirmation that the application was filed – and, hopefully, will hear the results within the next month or two. (Here’s hoping for good news!)

I spent some time with my son (I call him “Junior” to protect his anonymity), ate in fantastic restaurants, and visited both the Hamarikyu Gardens and the Imperial Palace Gardens here in Tokyo.

Best of all, I fulfilled a lifelong dream to see the Japanese sakura (cherry blossoms) in bloom!

The sakura forecast didn’t call for the trees to start blooming until the week after I returned to the States, but one of the cherry trees at the Imperial Palace Gardens bloomed early. It looked entirely out of place beside the others in the grove:

I’ve wanted to see the cherry blossoms in Japan since learning about them in kindergarten, more than 40 years ago. I didn’t think I’d have the chance to see them this year, so the rogue tree at the palace gardens was a beautiful surprise. I took it as a sign that my 100 Summits adventure is off to a promising start.

Like that tree, I intend to bloom to the best of my ability this year!

I hope you, too, are blooming where you’re planted – or seeking the kind of soil you need to become the strongest, most beautiful person you can.

Have you ever seen cherry blossoms in bloom? What lifelong dream would you like to fulfill?