Grand Master Meet and Greet

We think very highly of our karate instructor. He is a Christian man, he adopts medically challenged children with his wonderful wife, and he has been really good to our family when it comes to the finances of four kids in karate. So, when the next in line super grand master (I can't remember the official title right this second) planned to visit our karate school for the first time ever . . . our instructor asked if we could be there, and we said yes. Not because we're massive next chief grand master fans, but because we want to show our own instructor that we're grateful. Plus--these men have dedicated their entire lives to training themselves and others in physical exercise, concentration, memory, manners, character, etc. etc. They've done a lot of good things for children and adults, so why not shake hands and say hello, maybe even "thank you?"



So we all got in a long line. The gentleman pictured here walked in. Everyone bowed in respect and greeted him. Then he and three other high-ranking gentlemen walked down the line to their autograph table (some kids had belts or other gear signed). 

As each one of them passed Graysen, they stopped, looked at him, and then asked, "And what's your name, sir?" Graysen did the formal bow, and handshake, then responded to each in turn, before they moved on. None of them heard the others stop to ask his name.

One of the teenaged instructors standing next to Buck and me said, "They aren't asking anyone else for their name. They all stop and ask Graysen . . . he is the CHOSEN one!" Oh my goodness, Buck and I were rolling! It was so funny :) I said, "Go stand behind him and pretend he's your little brother, maybe they'll choose you too!" The very Asian young man looked at our very beach blonde son and started laughing, "Yeah--maybe."



As each of our kids moved through the greeting line, one of the other high-ranking karate guys joked with each one, "You look familiar . . . haven't I seen you before?" Meaning he'd met brothers and sisters ahead of them. I told him, "You missed one, there are four in this line." Brennen was just excited that he was taller than chief grand master (or however you say his title). It was pretty neat that they previously got to meet the current, retiring ATA leader and now have met his future replacement.