<Begin Segment 34>

TI: So at this point, Maynard, is there anything else that I've left out? Anything that... we went through your life pretty quickly, in, I think, about, oh, three and half, four hours. And so we were only able to touch on just kind of some of the highlights. And I know I left out so much, but is there anything that you would like to, to add at this point?

MH: I really feel that that's probably... I mean, I would have so much more to say, and I really, I really think that I've, as you say, hit the highlights of my life.

TI: Because you've just lived this incredible life, and there was one thing during a break we talked about that I just wanted to mention, was your singing. Because, and you mentioned it earlier, in how you like to walk early in the morning, and as you walk, you sometimes sing.

MH: Yes.

TI: And talk a little bit about your love for singing.

MH: Well, I've always... my mother was a singer. And as a matter of fact, she supposedly was going to head for a career as a singer, except that she had a series of colds that ruined her voice, supposedly. And her mother was a Christian Scientist, and she, so she wasn't cared for as far as her health was concerned. And so I inherited that voice from her, but also I understand in my father's line there were some singers also. And when I went to the junior college here, for one year there was, one of the courses I took was a man who was teaching music, singing. And he told me, he praised my voice very highly and said that I was one of the best singers he'd ever, ever heard, very proud of me. And I told my mother that I wanted a career as a singer, and she said, "Your health wouldn't permit it. You're not strong enough to ever have that career." So I stopped thinking about that, but I've always sung privately. And the first time that I really -- well, actually, in high school, I had the lead in a little, here in Sonoma, I had the singing lead in a particular little operetta they put on. And then in Tsingtao, they put on an operetta there, yes, some sort of little drama, singing, there, and I sang in that, too. And then, but I didn't really have any other exposure until I came, we came back to Sonoma this last time. Then I started in the chorale, the Sonoma Chorale, singing in the chorale. And I enjoyed that very much. I did that for a couple of years, yes. That's my singing career.

TI: And I'm guessing when Brian was young, you mentioned reading and singing.

MH: Oh, yes.

TI: So did you sing a lot to Brian?

MH: Oh, I did, I did. This rocking chair here, which incidentally, Lucius and I bought in the same folk art store I told you about in Tokyo, that's what I had in Brian's room. And at night I would sing to him and read to him in that rocking chair.

TI: And were they, like, lullabies, or what kind of songs would you sing?

MH: Mostly, to him, lullabies, yes.

TI: Do you still remember them? Are these things that you would hope to sing to your grandchild?

MH: I would like to. Yes, I would like to.

TI: Because just to get up to date, the last time I was here, earlier this year, I think it was right about the time your son was getting married. And so to, I guess, bring full circle, and this visit, I understand that they're expecting.

MH: Yes, that's true.

TI: And so when I mention grandchildren, the hope is in May or so, I think.

MH: Yes, it is.

TI: That you'll have a grandchild. So what song would you sing, do you think, if you had to sing to your, your grandchild? What are some of the songs?

MH: There's one song that Brian particularly liked that I would sing. But it's one that's not a familiar American song. It's one I learned years ago that would not be an American song. So I can't tell you about the words to it... let me see if I can think of the words to it.

TI: Would you be able to sing it now?

MH: I don't know if I've got a voice today. It comes and goes. But it was, "Go to sleep my little baby, close your eyes, my dear, close your eyes." I'd have to sing, I can't do the words without singing it. [Laughs] But it was a beautiful song, and it's the one that he loved the most.

TI: My suggestion is, when you feel really strong with your voice, you should record it.

MH: I would love to.

TI: And you'd have that available to the family.

MH: I would love to do that. But the, I guess the only thing I would possibly be able to do it on is, with our equipment, would be on tape. Just a small tape cassette. I don't think there's any other way I could do it, except that way.

TI: I'll give that some thought. Maybe I'll have some other ideas for you. Well, so, Maynard, this was a delight. I had such a great time, with my time here with you and learning so much.

MH: Well, thank you. You opened up my memories so much, that I'm just practically swamped with them. I could go on talking forever, I'm afraid.

TI: Well, my suggestion is now start writing. If you can find the time, you might want to just start jotting down some of these memories that have bubbled up. Because they are, your story, as I think I mentioned to you, could be a novel or a movie. It's just incredible, all the things that you've seen in your life.

MH: Well, it's been a good life, in spite of the rocky parts, it's been a very good life.

TI: Well, thank you very much.

MH: Thank you.

<End Segment 34> - Copyright © 2008 Densho. All Rights Reserved.