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MA: Well, you know, we only have a couple minutes, but I wanted to know if there's anything else you would like to share before we wrap up, any thoughts?

CQ: Well, I think this is the greatest country in the world. Because with the reparations I was able to start the grandchildren's fund for college. As far as I was concerned, my husband became a philanthropist and gave to every group that he thought should deserve a thousand dollars or more. And it's come full circle. An apology from the President and a small token did go a long way into making me feel that I'm appreciated as an American. And it was too late for my brothers and my aunts and uncles who lost everything during World War II, but it does help the future generations, and that's really important. And the other thing I'd like to say is I'm just very, very happy being an American, and I'm so glad that my dad came to this country. I'm so glad that I went through that horrible experience, because it taught me so much. And I married the man of my dreams that my dad said he would commit hara kiri if I married him because he was a hapa, he was half Mexican and half Japanese, Richard de Quieiroz, and I married him after two failed marriages but three wonderful, wonderful children. So out of the bad came good, and I'm just very happy playing tennis and doing tai chi and qi gong and painting and painting.

MA: And busy with your ten grandchildren, I'm sure.

CQ: Oh, and yes, loving every minute with the grandchildren. And they say, "Oh, Grandma Chiz, can you just bring a racquet down to the Kid's Club right now?" I mean, I will just jump. And my husband's sitting with the other grandchild. It's just such a joy. It's just such a joy. Life is so beautiful, and everything that I look back on is a fantastic experience. And all the sadness and all the trials and tribulations and the heartache and the pain that I thought I went through during World War II really, really proved to be sort of a stepping stone into becoming a better person, if that's possible. [Laughs] I'm teasing, I'm teasing.

MA: Well, I want to thank you so much for sharing your story. I learned a lot, and it was just a wonderful interview. So I want to thank you for sharing.

CQ: Well, thank you so much, and I'm so glad that you called.

<End Segment 16> - Copyright © 2009 Densho. All Rights Reserved.