On saying goodbye and new beginnings

Three years ago a single sensei set out to open a karate school in Bend that would provide its students with a sound understanding of traditional Japanese Shotokan Karate training mixed with an assortment of Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Brazillian, and Phillipino arts. This sensei hoped his students would enjoy learning these physical skills and would gain a complete list of mental and spriritual skills to match. He wished for them sharpness, focus, discipline, and growth of all kinds. And most of all, he hoped they would come to love the arts as much as he did.

I want to thank everyone for taking this incredible journey with me over the past three years. You all are such integral parts of the dojo. Moving from our first location above Radio Shack (forever to be remembered as "the Radio Shack dojo") into our beautiful new dojo (probably to be forever refered to as "the Empire dojo" or maybe "the Port of Subs dojo") has caused my mind to corkscrew backwards in time and realize just how far each of you all as students has traveled, how much I as your Sensei have traveled, and how far we still have to go. I took Stuart's picture down from the wall and felt a deep pain at the loss I feel whenever I think about the fact that none of you will get to meet this amazing man. Such a warrior, such a teacher, and such a student of all things, I will do my best to share his greatness and his love with you, and I know that were he to see you all in action he would smile his Sensei Stuart smile and be eternally proud.

As we sweep and vaccuum the dust, as we pack up the training gear, as we pull up the mats and take down any traces of Sortor Bushido KaiKarate, my mind races back and forth through three beautiful years. It is the end of a time, the end of an era that you were all a part of. Anyone who starts training now will have no knowledge of the hot summer nights of sweat and spirit on the 2nd floor of 1620 NE 3rd street. No one new will have the fond memories of training in what started as a sort of closet-like space, not even wide enough to do three lunge punches (barely 2 punches if you're Glenn). No one new will have the sweet, treacherous experience of walking up icy stairs in the dead of winter, of trying to find parking during 5:00 rush hour, or of punching into the blazing glare of the setting sun shining through the western windows.

It is many of these "shortcomings," these "inconveniences" that I will miss most. They are nothing if not priceless memories and integral pieces in the puzzle that is Sortor Bushido Kai Karate. I am so thankful for all of it, and for all of you. You all inspire me, especially you parents. Your dedication to Kristina and I, to training, and to honoring Stuart and the martial arts is nothing short of a miracle to me. As we move into our new dojo and begin to build new memories, I must let you all know it has been my greatest honor to have known you and trained with you. I smile a sensei's smile when I think of the magical innumerable years still to come.

God bless you all.
We'll see you on Tuesday!!!

Oss!