Page 21 - Life Legacy Project

Kindness and Enjoy Life Cynthia Louise Ozaki
“Be kind, do your best, and do something you enjoy every day. Don’t worry so much about what you can’t control anyway. Do something you enjoy, what really is important to you in life.”
Everyone always has someone they look up to or want to honor. I want to honor my grandma Cindy Ozaki because she is always so positive to everyone and everything. She is strong, intelligent, amazing, cheerful, careful, confident, easy-going, friendly, funny, loveable, and respectful. When I grow up I hope I have all the positive attitude that she does and how she loves life. Also because I want to work with people, help them, and I want to be somewhat in the Medical Field like she was.
Cindy Ozaki was born in Bellingham WA on December 3, 1953. Her name Cynthia Louise Ozaki came from her descendants of Wild Bill Hickok, the outlaw. Her middle name Louise was after a close relative of her dad’s. The earliest memory that was most special to her was in the hot summer days playing for hours with neighborhood kids, going to rodeos and parades. With their cowboy boots and pixie haircuts. When she was a little girl she was extremely shy. Her teachers had a hard time getting her to talk during class. In her childhood, her role models were her parents. They were so hardworking and honest people, who taught her the importance of family. In her adulthood, while she was still in high school she enjoyed business courses skills like typing, accounting, and shorthand. The first job she ever had after high school was working at Skagit Gardens. Then she went into the medical field. Then to the YMCA which is her favorite job so far because it had opened her eyes to the great need people have in our community.
Cindy had 4 kids and they were all girls. The funniest moment that she remembers that one of her kids did that she will never forget was done by Camie Ozaki. When Camie was about 2 my grandma's father in law wanted to take them all to a restaurant. She had 3 kids at the time 6, 4, and 2. My grandma told him over and over again that it was going to be too hard, but he insisted. When they ordered their food Camie got bored sitting in her high chair and started throwing French Fries at the people behind us. Then she took her straw out of her pop and sprayed pop on them. My grandma then took her into the car while everyone else finished eating. He did not invite them again for several years after that. She said that thing about being a parent is “Feeling the unconditional love for another person, that will not change no matter what they do. Also looking back to see that your children turned out to be good, kind people.” The proudest moment of being a parent for her is that she and her husband raised 4 amazing girls. She said what impacted her life the most was the birth of her children. She stated that “After having children your whole focus changes. Another person completely dependent on you for everything your needs become secondary.” We have a lot of traditions. Her favorite tradition is the way we all come together to celebrate holidays throughout the year. She said that “We are lucky to have 4 generations celebrate together.”
Her strongest desire, goal, or wish is to enjoy each day, try not to worry about the future, and enjoy today! If she could change the world or she had one wish to she said that “The world would be peace. Respect others, differences and all. We are more alike than different.” The thoughts that go through her mind on a daily basis is mainly her kids and grandkids. She states that “Nothing is more important than their health and happiness.” The best advice that she has gotten from someone else that is special to her is one from her dad “Don’t try to be rich; just strive to be comfortable, and to put food on the table.” What is most important to her right now in life is her family. She said that “Family will always be her top priority.”
In conclusion, I picked my grandma for this because she is such an inspiration to me! She showed me to love life and to not let anyone get to you and family is the most thing you should be caring about. My grandma means so much to me she inspires me to be myself, to love life, and to not let anyone change me. She teaches people the meaning of life and how to live it. She also shows people how to be kind and not to have so much hatred in your body. My grandma is filled with love and joy and when I grow up I hope I will have the same kind of joy and love in my body that she does.
By Ellee Carpenter
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