Nakao Diary: Entry One

March 5, 2004

Donald and I have always made our families our first priority. We met my senior year of high school when he was a senior in community college in Watsonville, Calif. After going together for six months, we got married and moved to Sacramento Calif. Don got a job with Yolo County. I went to work after our first son Brian was born in the accounting office for Weinstocks department store.

Four years later, and after two miscarriages, we gave birth to our second son, Marc. I decided to go back to work when Marc was two-and-a-half years old, this time for the California State Department of Finance. For the next couple of decades or so we were the classic American family: two working parents. I was team mom for the baseball and soccer teams, as well as room mother for both of the boys while they were in grammar school.

Don and I were busy playing and coaching softball (always taking the boys, never leaving them with a baby sitter) and the boys playing baseball, church basketball (Don was coach and athletic director of the church), soccer, swimming team, music lessons and going to both side's family gatherings and graduations.

I retired three years ago, Don two years ago, and we both like this lifestyle, as it allows more time to help the boys and both my and Don's parents, while still working part time. I also find time to watch HGTV, getting ideas for Don and I to do around the home.

Don lost his father to complications from diabetes this past November (2003) and I lost my father to cancer four years ago. I am an ovarian cancer survivor. I have always had strong faith and I know that is what enables me and my family to get through the hard times.

Entry Two
Entry Three
Entries Four and Five