Aloha Family and Friends,

I wanted to wish all of you a Happy-Thanksgiving week and express my gratitude for your friendship and support throughout the years. 

The amazing team at Brandylane has been backlogged but working very hard to get IKIGAI out soon. We were hoping for the preorders to be filled by Christmas, which is still the plan, but not guaranteed. I have just received a draft of the text with illustrations (which look amazing) and have sent in my editing notes. But without going into the minutiae of the process, I will say things are progressing along nicely. 

My husband, Alex, says his friends and co-workers are getting restless, and believe me, so am I. I have put so much of my heart into this book, I want it to be done right and I believe the team at Brandylane Publishing are putting their efforts in with the same care. I am so grateful to them for helping me to manifest this dream of putting out much needed mirrors to children of Okinawan descendants around the world. I also want to be part of the American community colored vibrantly with so much beautiful diversity and culture. 

Thank you for all your support 

Okagesama de, 

Sending you all wishes of good health and abundance, 

Chiemi Souen