By Ella Weeks
Good Morning, Everyone.
If you don’t know me already, my name is Ella. I’ve come to the Mountain View Buddhist Temple since before I can even remember, and it has always been such a central part of my life. Since pre-school, it’s been a place that I have made so many memories with the people I love, and a place I can always return to and simply be myself. It’s also one of the only places I can come and feel better about my height, as if I’m finally just average!
My very first memory is playing with the Hanamatsuri paper flowers with Rebecca as preschoolers, instead paying attention to service. (sorry Sensei). Since then, my memories are filled with happy moments:
- Chatting with my friends over refreshments after Dharma School;
- Getting so excited whenever Sensei pulled Putra out for his Dharma Talks;
- Playing fairies with Eileen every summer at Nakayoshi;
- Getting dressed up in my pretty yukata for Obon Odori;
- Making funny faces with Kendall, with our lips tainted red and blue from all the shave ice we ate; and
- The Fuji Club meetings I would always look forward to just to see my friends.
These are some of my most cherished memories, and they all happened right here.
Even after COVID, when everything went online and we could only speak to one another through computer screens, life has resumed in a way that makes it feel like I never missed anything. Now, nothing has really changed, except for the fact that I’m older, and tend to stay up too late on Saturdays so that my mom has to drag me out of bed for Sunday Service the next morning.
High school has been a similar fun and wild ride: I recall moments of running between the game of Blackjack and the dance floor at the Fresno conference; chasing Kendall around the pool in Maui after she stole my Monopoly money; cracking up at Kai’s amazing jokes at Spaghetti Dinner each year; taking photos with the Hongdae Guy and Justin Han at the Bay Area Classic; waking up at the crack of dawn for Mochitsuki and mastering the art of shaping kagami mochi; scrambling around each Iron Chef competition because I lowkey had no idea what I was doing; and not to mention, Kurumi and I dressing up as handsome frat guys to for Kendall’s 18th birthday. Though these are only snippets of the past 4 years, it’s chaotic, hilarious, and unforgettable moments like these that have allowed me to face every obstacle head on with a smile.
But none of these moments would mean anything without the people who truly made them special. I am so deeply grateful to everyone in this community that has watched me grow for the past 18 years, and has been an anchor in my life throughout its unpredictable changes.
To my parents, thank you for always loving me unconditionally, even when I’m being difficult, and for supporting me through each and every journey. I know I don’t say it a lot, but your hard work, sacrifices, and dedication mean the world to me, and I wouldn’t be standing here today without you. To Alex, Cori, and every one of my Dharma School teachers for the past 12 years, thank you for showing up every week for my classmates and I. I’ve learned so much from and have been able to grow as a person because of you. To YBA and our advisors, thank you for dedicating so much hard work to supporting our Temple community. Every fundraiser, activity, meeting, and trip wouldn’t have been possible without any of you. To all the graduating Seniors that I’ve spent the last 12+ years with, thank you for sharing this journey with me. I’m so proud of you all and I know you are going off to do amazing things. To my Nakayoshi kids, thank you for all the laughs and silly jokes we have shared; even if occasionally beat me up or you come up to me just ask me to facetime Miya (my fellow Kirin senpai), I love you guys, and I’m so glad I was able to meet you. To Sensei, thank you for Dharma Messages each Sunday. Your words always guide me back to the right path, and remind me to stay present, humble, and mindful. (pause)
I could keep going on and on forever, but I’ll stop here. To those I didn’t get to mention, thank you. Each and everyone of you truly impacted me in your own way, and helped me grow into the person that I am today. I say this with my whole heart, but I would not be who I am without any of you.
This Temple has truly been my second home, and a source of comfort, friendship, and belonging. I will carry this part of myself as I continue to university and beyond, and hold what I’ve learned here close to my heart.
Thank you.