with sweetened bits of colored string
Growing up as a hapa with a Japanese American mother, I learned many unspoken values by watching her and our family members. The care they took i the wrapping of a gift taught my sisters and me that the wrapping was just as important as the contents within.
To present a gift to a loved one was something especially meaningful. From the handwritten note attached with ribbon, to the delicate paper that safeguarded the gift itself--every aspect was given focused attention, precision and care in order to convey love, respect and appreciation.
This practice of intentional giving has been deeply rooted in me since I can remember and long before I discovered art of my own. With each parcel, I savor and enjoy the details--with extra folds so that there is never a sharp edge, with Japanese washi tape to secure its keeping, and with sweetened bits of colored string.
