This is the reason why I went to Seattle again in Dec.
It has been a year since the day, 11 March 2012.
I had some reasons but Searching for Chris was the highest priority for me. He is my lifesaver in Seattle as I wrote on previous topic. All I wanted was to find and meet him. I didn't have any information about Chris after I went back to Japan in March 2012. I asked some people to find him, but they didn't find him... what all I know about Chris is his schedule, to going to Alaska, and some information.
Although I started twitter to search for Chris, no hope, no any information since the day. Unknown where he was and is now. But I couldn't stop going to Seattle even though I thought he wouldn't be there.
On 5 Dec. 2012, I went to the place where I and Chris first met at Downtown in Seattle as soon as I arrived. Of course he was not be there. I was so sad, I knew that situation. But something strange had been begun around me since the day. I went to look around searching for Chris, and went to 1st Starbucks preparing for surprise on Christmas as "Random Acts of Kindness" and have a coffee at 1st Starbucks.
At the time, I couldn't explain what I want to do but they understood, and helped me. After then I got a surprise gift from employee who supported me to buy gifts. (shop manager???) It was a Mug that was written their autograph on a box! I won't try to do for getting the Mug, nor didn't need it. Because I just wanted to do something for strangers, in addition I don't have a right to get it. I told them I don't need it, please give it to someone for other customer. But they told me "This is for you, take it " and put it my shopping bag which I had already bought gifts. I was very happy to get it but still felt obliged to apologize...
This was a beginning of my strange encounter. Thinking about it later, it seemed it had been continuing since the unforgettable day, 11 March, 2012... After I went back to my hotel, I noticed that my room was changed to one king suite even as I reserved a room "standard one king" on the net in Japan. I was so lucky. But to tell the truth, it was too spacious bedroom for single. ahaha.
I unpacked my suitcase and relaxed for a while. Then, I opened the Mug box that I got as a gift. When I looked it closer, I noticed it was made in Ohio. As it says on the official WEBSITE of Starbucks, it was truly the first time product, "made in Ohio" for hiring employees in US. Occasionally, no one care about the matter. But in my case, it caught in my mind because my life saver, Chris is also from Ohio.
On the next day, I noticed that I left my wallet at my hotel when I arrived at Starbucks in front of WestLake Center. Then, went back to my hotel, and went there again. After ordering coffee, I waited for a long time but it didn't come out because of lost ordering and delay by their mistake. I got a free drink ticket at the store. It made me feel sorry to receive it in such a reason.
At the time, Suddenly I remembered the topic of "Random Acts of Kindness".
It was also one of my purpose what to do in Seattle. That's what is something to do for strangers and decided to give it for someone who needs help. After then, I went to CHIHULY Garden & Glass exhibition thinking about the event on the way. After watching his works and shopping around there, I had an sudden encounter with Mr.Jim who is a Dance Studio owner on the way to Downtown. I didn't have an appointment nor had a class until the next day. Yet, after the reunion, I walked to other dance studio on Capitol Hill and I met Mr.Daren who is my ZUMBA instructor on my wayl!
I felt it's something strange encounter. Although I had a class with my instructor, I never believed such a situation. Maybe if I went by bus, it hadn't occurred. Anyway, after ZUMBA class, I went back to Downtown to have a dinner. Then, I saw a homeless guy who was standing at the same place where I met Chris in March 2012, through the view from the the bus. I decided to give the ticket and make a donation. As I did for Chris, I bought a coffee and muffin at Starbucks on the corner and brought them. "Hi!" "Hi!" It was silly little greetsing. I talked for a while and I asked him whether he knows about Chris before I gave them to him. I thought he wouldn't know about Chris.
But he replied surprisingly "I know the guy well, I often saw him and he sometimes helped me although he was also homeless." He told me the place and shelters where he may be. I was so surprised about his words. It's a really small world! It seemed that each event which I had and encounter had been linked toward to the miracle since the day, 11 Mar. 2012. The homeless guy began to talk about Chris that he has a cell phone, and smart guy, comes from Ohio, and yet he answered to my questions correctly. In addition, he told me more information which I hadn't asked him yet.
Unfortunately, he didn't know his e-mail address or phone number but he told me that almost homeless would change place to sleep at night. Therefore, He didn't know where Chris had always stayed. But the homeless told me the shelters where he had often seen Chris and gave me the information about the shelter called Roots. It's held "FRIDAY FEAST" on every Friday for homeless.
I concerned strongly he still be in Seattle at that time. I was absolutely riveted by his words. I didn't know the place exactly where it is at the time but I soon realized it's located on near University of Washington. That's my favorite place. I heard from him that almost young homeless usually would go there to stay a night. I wanted to go to the place immediately to search for Chris. But I didn't. Because it's not Friday on the day and he told me that the shelter can't be allowed to stay under 25. I knew Chris was 28 or 29 years old at the time. Now he is 29. I decided to go to Roots on the next day. After the conversation, I left a message to him that I'm looking for Chris and donated him some money. He promised me to give it to Chris when he saw Chris. I had to believe his word although I felt doubtful about it. I thought he was the only hope to search for Chris at the time but it's also the beginning and had been linked to my strange encounter.
On the next day, I went to the Shelter "Roots" in the morning, but I noticed that it didn't open in daytime. Then I asked about Chris to homeless who get out the building and neighbors. Some people knew about Chris but they didn't know where he is. I went back to downtown, and asked many homeless whether they know or see him in downtown. Then, one of them told me "I saw Chris at the other shelter in Downtown on the night". It was located 10 blocks down from the place where I asked homeless. I headed for there immediately. It is opened but they didn't tell me the information about Chris, of course the reason why privacy policy. I always lag behind Chris in every way. I left a message at the Shelter for homeless and Chris again, and went back to Pacific Place Center. I walked around on every corner, crossed near streets searching for Chris almost the day. Then, I went back to Young Adult Shelter in University District at night.
Although I couldn't enter the shelter, I asked homeless and staff about Chris. Of course staff didn't gave me any information because of their Privacy. But one of staff kindly suggested me to come on Friday Feast. She told me "Many homeless always come every Friday, then you may find him or get any information." I felt everything would go well, I may find and meet him at the time. I went back to hotel after I left a message to her in case. I couldn't sleep at the night.
In next day, I feverishly asked homeless guys who was on the street in the morning. Then surprisingly, I heard that Chris was on a few blocks distance, and in couple minutes ago from one of them. I was so glad to hear that. He suggested me to give 10 bucks if I could made you meet Chris. I agreed. I thought I would give more if I could meet him.
But Chris wasn't be there although he took me to the place immediately. It was a bus stop... I was so shocked. The homeless also seems have a regretful face. He couldn't meet me to Chris, I gave 10 bucks as a regard. He promised me to keep looking for Chris in downtown area. After then, every time I ask homeless people about Chris, I felt I was getting very close to Chris. But It is a Cruel Fate... I couldn't meet Chris on that day, too.
Finally, I canceled every schedules to search for Chris on last 2 days in Seattle.
On the next morning, I met a homeless guy who I met yesterday and saw Chris on the shelter. He said to me did not see Chris at the shelter last night. Although he asked kindly some homeless whether they saw him at shelters. But no one saw him in their shelters.
I heard that there are many shelters in down town and homeless has a territory to earn money, but sometimes they change or move their territory. I think it seems Chris moved. I often saw Chris around Pacific Place Center & Pine St. in last Mar. 2012. Then, One of homeless told me I should go to International District because he saw Chris at there in a week ago. I went there immediately but no ones saw him when I asked some.
The final day before I leave for Japan, it was Friday. I went around to search for Chris and went with a handful of hope toFriday Feast which is held by Roots Young Adult Shelter for all homeless and anyone at 5:30- 7PM. I arrived there at 6pm... I met a staff who dealt politely with me on last visit, and let me get in the Friday Feast. She also asked to all staff whether Chris came here or not.
No body saw Chris, he hadn't come yet. I waited till 7pm. As a result Chris didn't come on the day... I had come to very close even through I went across overseas. I was shocked that my last hope is dashed and realized that I can't meet Chris anymore. I suddenly felt crying. Tears welled up in my eyes, I tried to stop tears from falling. But I couldn't... The staff also was with an apologetic eye because they couldn't help me by their policy. Some homeless also cared about me and asked another people whether they know about Chris. The answer was same as people in Downtown. Well, I couldn't do anymore... No place to go, no time to search for Chris, No any information...
It made me so exhausted and depressed. I knew, I knew my feelings and I had been predicted the worst scenario. Although I did predicted, I would believe in the miracle in my mind. Of course I knew it won't go so easy... But their caring made me feel better. To tell the truth, I would never think that they were so kind, exclude one of them. he hated Japanese. Never mind. I thought homeless was cold, they won't afford to take care of someone because they struggle for their own existence under such harsh conditions in each day before I went to Seattle in December. In such a situation, one of staff suggested me to post a picture with his information and a message to homeless and Chris on a message board.
"Tell Chris having a contact to me if you saw him"
I didn't know whether it will reach Chris but my hope is still alive in Seattle even though I don't be in Seattle.
I felt they also saved my life here again. Having made a donation to the shelter, I went back to my hotel. When I arrived at my room, I suddenly felt to go to the place where is the first place I met Chris again.
Of course he was not there. But there was a performer who often be there and I saw him in March 2012 and during my staying in December. I asked about Chris and showed a picture. He remembered Chris and sometimes saw him at the place. He said "I haven't talked with the guy but a friend mine who works at Pike Place Chowder in Pacific Place Center, may know him. In addition, I didn't see the guy in these days, but I heard from my friend that maybe the guy may go back his home town. You should ask my friend about him"
I said Thank you and head to the restaurant. But he was off on the day... I didn't have time anymore... I returned to Japan on the next day...
Although I couldn't find Chris during my visiting in December 2012, we might pass by each other in different street. Downtown, Seattle, I thought it was small city but it was larger than I thought... And then, I remembered the word "Serendipity" It's a greatest word as same as "Thank you" for me.
Searching for Chris slightly had been changed to something precious. Although it is the highest priority for me, the other feeling grew up in my mind. What I do is Helping and support people who need help.
As a meaning of the word "Serendipity", the accident of finding something good or useful while not specifically searching for it.
I can't do for everyone. But I'll do for someone in random. I guess it will lead me to Chris in all the way someday. I never give up to find him till I die. I will keep searching for Chris on my web, twitter and Facebook, once, now and forever. I believe in my Fate.
Of course, there are many things to do, but I have to find my goal even though I sacrificed everything. "I has Two-Face" I'm exhausted... I wonder if how you think of me...? stupid? disesteem? avoid? abominate? care less? or cheer for me...? I don't know how you think, Now All I can do is go forward to my goal. I'll value my life even though once I tried to finish my life. Then, I would keep going to USA and always will be.
Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time. by Thomas Edison (He was also from Ohio)
