The Passing Of Sensei Don Foote

We recently learned of the passing of yet another Goshin-Do Karate DeFelice-Ryu Yudansha. It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Sensei Don Foote on July 18th, 2003. Sensei Foote was one of Sensei DeFelice’s earliest black belts.

While a memorial will be posted commemorating each anniversary of his passing, we dedicate today’s kata and the following Hatsu Bon poem to Sensei’s eternal spirit. May he find our kata worthy.

Hatsu Bon Poem
Please don’t cry before my grave
That’s not where I am
Nor am I sleeping for eternity
SEE!!
I am already part of the breezes
numbering a thousand
I am part of the light
that brightens this world
Like a diamond glittering in the snow
Like the sun that coaxes seeds to sprout
And in the Fall I become the gentle rain
that nurtures all.
When you open the window in the morning
I am the breeze
That causes your hair to flutter;
And at night, I am the star
That watches over your sleep.
So, please . . . don’t cry before my grave
That’s not where I am.
I am not dead.
I have been born anew.

Sincerity in sweat Sensei, you are not forgotten.