It was December 1, around 7:30 in the morning. I spritzed myself with perfume, put on my lipstick, jumped into my warm clothes, put on a wool cap tilting it a little to the side to create my style because it makes me feel good, threw on my coat, and wrapped a scarf around my neck. I raced to the elevator with my dog, Orchid, for our morning walk… all the while my mind turning back in time to thirty-one years ago in Nikko, Japan.

I recalled it being a warm September day in Nikko when a Buddhist monk at TOSHO-GO handed a young wife and mother from Honolulu, Hawaii a rectangular bright, orange and white sheet of paper with her fortune! That young woman was me.

Why have I saved and savored this worn sheet of now yellowed paper all these years? Why did I take it out of my ‘memory drawer’ where I guard my sacred keepsakes, on December 1?

Because, my fortune read: BEST LUCK.

Below are the exact words of my FORTUNE and a picture I took of it to show you!

NIKKO TOSHO-GO

FORTUNE

The Oracle of Tosho-Go Shrine at Nikko Teachings of the 1st Tokugawa Shogunate Arranged Into Divination Lots.

LOT 25

BEST LUCK

Adhere to the five cardinal virtues – benevolence, righteousness, propriety, intelligence, and truthfulness.

The Teaching Implies:

Humanity, Justice, Courtesy, Wisdom and Faith are the five most important principles we always have to keep in mind. Don’t worry too much about your present troubles and difficulties — I had many at the time!  God will bless you, so far as you keep all these five principles in mind. Fortune will soon turn in your favor. (I lived up to those values!)

The Teaching is Reverently Interpreted as to Give the Following Guidance on the Matter of:

• Wishes: You will have your desire realized but you must adhere to yours.
• Awaited persons: He will come.
• Missing Property: It may be among things.
• Traveling: You had better start so soon because you will see the world.
• Business: You can make profits if you make a decision after due consideration.
• Company: Be active. Keep company with everyone.
• Direction: Northeast is very good. This direction will bring you good luck.
• GAME OF CHANCE: EVERYTHING WILL GO WELL. YOU WILL BE A WINNER.
• Employment: Work hard.
• Residence:Live within your means.
• Birth: Easy Delivery, A baby will be born early.  
• Disease: You will get well. Choose a good doctor. (I have survived two bouts of cancer and a car accident!)
• MARRIAGE PROPOSAL: Your marriage will soon be arranged.
• Money: Your unselfishness will lead you to victory.

Of course I know we are responsible for making our luck but, nevertheless, I truly believe that our lives can be fields of happiness if we make certain to see our glass half full and believe… in good fortune.

P.S. Read about how I met the love of my life, Sheldon Good, here.

Photography by Hallie Duesenberg

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