Remembering my sister, Elaine Komai, on her April 24th birthday
Reflecting upon the realization that I am unable to wish Happy Birthday to my sister who passed away last July
Since Elaine's passing, I have come to know more about her favorite activities and character traits by browsing through the many documents and personal artifacts that she left behind.
My sister was a pack rat who rarely threw things away. She also loved to watch professional sporting events over cable television. At her death, her bedroom walls were adorned with faded newspaper clippings of the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team - one of her faves. She subscribed to the Los Angeles Times and Pasadena Star News, concentrating on the sports pages that she read diligently in order to keep abreast of player statistics and team records - knowledge that she freely communicated with her neighbors who shared her passion.
Elaine quietly demonstrated her athletic abilities and interests as early as middle school. For example, as a 7th grade student, she was a member of the women's intramural softball team that finished in 2nd place during competitions.
Elaine also enjoyed bowling. During high school, the bowling team that she was on received a trophy for placing 2nd at season's end.
As an adult, Elaine was passionate about the Los Angeles Angels, with their crosstown rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers ranking #2. On her bedroom wall directly opposite the Lakers' clippings was a collage of newspapers articles about the Angels winning the World Series in 2002.
In one of the cardboard boxes that I found in her bedroom closet was a 1965 Los Angeles Angels souvenir program that Elaine had bought and saved over the years.
Her fan enthusiasm toward the Angels has to go back even further to at least 1962, when my sister and I were joined by our father in watching the Angels beat the World Champion New York Yankees (led by Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris) 5-2 in front of 53,591 fans.
Had Elaine lived until the end of 2023, I am sure she would have been disappointed that two-time MVP Shohei Ohtani signed a 10-year contract to play for the Los Angeles Dodgers, rather than remain with the Angels. Nevertheless, I am sure that she is cheering her Angels on to victory from afar.