The Howl & Moon: KAIR Closing Party & The Teary Speeches

After two and a half glorious months, it was time to say goodbye. To all our new friends, to KAIR, to Kamiyama, and to an experience that has profoundly affected us. And just as KAIR organized a welcoming party, they put out all the stops for the farewell.

This year, it was decided to have the residency closing party at the theater where both Nik's and Suskens work was hanging. Tatami mats, tables and chairs were brought in and a banquet of all things delicious. It felt like being in a fire-lit log cabin with 50 of your best mates, snuggly, warm, and cheery to the max, surrounded by engulfing art.

Unbeknownst to most, Nik and I and Sayaka and Manus arranged to be outfitted in kimono, the official black tie of Japan. A sweet old lady sweated out 45 minutes of wrangling me into this gorgeous silken number. Yanking, pulling, hoisting. At one point I had to pantomime to her that I needed room to eat dinner, so she loosened it up a bit. We certainly caused an appreciative commotion when we arrived. (I spent most of the evening trying to keep Hopper's foody fingers off the silk!)

The night was a lovely emotional tribute to the intimate bonds we forged over the time together. We all gave speeches, even me all teary and choked up, and you could feel the love in the room. And just like any special party, it was over too quickly and we were off to the dresser's house to disrobe.

I've lamented for months how to adequately encompass the overwhelming gratitude I have for this organization and its lovely people. I cannot possibly put into words how magnificent the whole experience was, the magnitude of generosity and support. I cannot thank everyone at KAIR enough for inviting Nik to do what he loves and graciously welcome our family. Kamiyama and everyone there will always hold a special place in my heart for reasons too great to list here, and for that, on behalf of myself and my family, thank you thank you thank you.