We Are Family

I was recently reminded of a story from March 2007 when we held a special Shinsa (rank examination) for 15 year old Frank Gomez.  In our dojo, we use Sho Dan-ho (初段補 - apprentice Black Belt) as a rank, and youths under 16 years old can only hold Shonen Sho Dan-ho (少年初段補 - junior apprentice) before their 16^th birthday.

Mr. Jerry Saravia happened to be home from college and worked intensively preparing Frank to test.  We decided on a special test date for the last Sunday Mr. Saravia would be at the dojo.  On test day, Mr. Saravia showed up, as did Mr. Jose Pineda.  Both Sho Dans were in their 20s (21 & 27), around Frank’s size, and both originally made Shonen, earning their ranks before age 16.  I knew Frank and Mr. Saravia would work well together, but was surprised how well Mr. Pineda worked with Frank and coordinated with Mr. Saravia on ippons (1-step self-defense) and kumite (sparring) as they worked Frank hard.  After shinsa, the two Sho Dans introduced themselves: By the way, my name is Jose.  Hi, I’m Jerry.  I was stunned that these two were strangers.  It never dawned on me that they trained different years, made rank at different times, and never crossed paths before.  I then complimented them on their teamwork; how smoothly they worked with each other.  Their response was matter-of-fact: Even though it was different eras, they both trained with me.  Of course they would think alike, react alike, and move alike.