Eiko Andrews

Eiko was the youngest of 6 children and was born in 1931 in a small town of Hokkaido, Japan. Raised in a poor home she wore hand me downs and did not have indoor plumbing. Her father worked at the train station and her mother stayed at home. In her teenage years, Miss Minakawa put it in her mind that she was determined to meet a G.I. with a firm butt and blue eyes that would give her beautiful daughters. She visited the train station often, which is where she met her G.I. husband, A.V. Adams, the father of her two beautiful girls, my wife Sandra, and the youngest Debra. When the girls were young the handsome G.I. left Mrs. Adams. Shortly thereafter she met and married Ken Andrews, who helped her learn English and gain her US Citizenship, along with raising her two girls. Ken was a professional golfer and the girls spent every weekend on the golf course with him or inside with Eiko-son flipping burgers. With the golf pro came Dee-son the step daughter, who became Eiko-son’s best friend. Now she had hit life in full stride: marriage, children, a great best friend and her first and only job at the Almond Growers. The dashing young Japanese lady had quick hands and loved her job. She showed up early in her brand new Ford Granada for gossip and loved to take her cigarette break with her friends. Her girls went from cheer leading to marriage and my mother-n-law became the biggest fan of my life. First her youngest daughter Debbie gave two beautiful granddaughters, my nieces Krissy and Missy. Later her oldest, Sandy gave her Vanessa who was adopted the day she was born. Krissy married Tony and they gave great grandma, Kyle. Missy married Petey and they gave great grand mama, Hannah Banana and Natti-kat. Dee-son gave Eiko - Cathy, grandma’s first granddaughter who had three great grand babies, Kenny the oldest boy had two, and Allen had three. Grandma moved in with us 23 years ago and I have witnessed all of the above. She cussed at me when I took the keys to her beloved Cadillac. She had run over the rock at the end of the driveway several times. But, the bingo bus came a callin’ and my mother-n-law was full blown senior citizen now. Tuesday and Friday was Bingo! As was always the case, dressed to perfection, cheerful and colorful to match her happy smile, and come home a winner. Cooking and laundry in that order were grandma’s fun things at home. Dinner every night was a result of what she had seen or learned from the cooking network, which shared top priority with her soap opera and who wants to be a millionaire. Our clothes were always clean, “fresh” as she would say. Sandy’s best friend and Momma-son spent the last 10 years of her life high atop Amazon Acres, an avocado farm with views of the ocean and 3 cities. She had a beautiful big bedroom with her own bathroom in her “cubbie” downstairs at the end of the hallway. Every morning I could hear her walking down the hall, “good morning, John” she would say with a smile. She’d sit down next to me and enjoy every sip of her coffee, read her paper, prepare cherrios with a banana and continue on with a day full of joy. What a life Eiko was living! She died peacefully and with dignity in her home. She was surrounded by loved ones and did not suffer long. She truly understood what she meant to so many people. My wife’s mother, the Queen Bee has left the hive! They came and took you away, Your last trip down the long driveway. Your house is clean, your work is done, You left the mountain at the setting of the sun. The vine you planted grows and is so tall, A cool breeze and shade, it covers us all. Anyone can go there, in the heat of the day, Ask a question and you always show the way! We will save your room, can still hear your footsteps and Vanessa cooks all your gourmet dishes. Who will I read the paper with? No worries old friend, we will drink our coffee and talk sports, until your daughter gets up and I remember who I am… your son-n-law … who had coffee with her mother … for 23 years.