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"...loving a sister is an
unconditional, narcissistic, and complicated devotion that approximates a
mother's love... Sisters are inescapably connected by the same two parents, the
same trove of memory and experience."
~ Mary Bruno
"She takes my hand and
leads me along paths I would not have dared explored alone."
~ Maya V. Patel
"A sister is a friend, a
listener, a counselor, a defender who trusts you to defend her, too, and a
sharer of joys.
And sadnesses, too."
~ Author Unknown
"Being with you, I can be completely myself. When it's just us, I can
be myself and know you'll love and understand me no matter what. You don't
want anything from me except my happiness."
~ Coretta Scott King in a
letter to her sister, Edythe
WHAT IS A SISTER?
She is your mirror,
shining back at you with a world of possibilities.
She is your witness, who sees you at your worst and best, and loves you anyway.
She is your partner in crime, your midnight companion,
someone who knows when you're smiling, even in the dark.
She is your teacher, your defense attorney, your personal press agent, even your
shrink.
"Brother, brother, don't you
worry about a thing. Wherever I go, I'll take care of you."
~ Author Unknown
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A
Dedication:
At a
'ukulele workshop in Los Angeles, Ohta
San recalled his "spit and polish" days in the U.S.
Marine Corps.
The year was
1955.
The Korean
War was winding down, and he was stationed on the East Coast. He
wrote to his sister in Hawai`i, asking her to mail him his
'ukulele to help him escape the day-to-day drudgery and
hum-drum.
The 'ukulele
arrived, and Ohta San started practicing. Within a short time, he
was auditioning for a television show. A sensational talent on a
unique instrument, he promptly knocked the socks off the auditioners.
He won a
spot on the Ed Sullivan Show and dazzled a national TV audience by
playing the song Malagueña with his 'ukulele.
~~~
In his
newest 2002 instructional book, Ohta San has compiled 26 songs that he
beautifully arranged himself in Jumpin
Jim's UKULELE MASTERS: Herb Ohta, Sophisticated Hula.
One of the
songs is Jeanie.
Its lyrics
and music are written by Herb Ohta. Ohta San. It describes a
shining presence in his life: a friendly and sweet soul with a sunny
smile and kind word for everyone, who moved his heart and filled his
soul. Clearly, he wrote this song for someone who is dearly loved
by him.
In the book
is an interview with him by Jim and Liz Beloff. Ohta San speaks
affectionately of Jeanie: "She was a bubbly, whimsical, fantastic
personality."
~~~
Who is
Jeanie?
Jeanie is
Ohta San's sister.
The sister
who encouraged him to pursue his talent -- the wind beneath his
wings. The sister who sent him his 'ukulele those years ago when
he was in the Marines. The sister who is now dearly missed by her
brother.
She has
transitioned, preceding her older brother. And with his song for
her, Jeanie is now immortalized. She will be fondly remembered not only
by Ohta San, but because of his song and his kind words about her, by
his fans as well.
We owe her a
huge debt of gratitude.
So this
website is dedicated to Jeanie.
We shall remember her, too.
"God
bless her soul."
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