Saying goodbye to Grandma.

Since this article is an obituary, I will provide a warning beforehand.
Please proceed only if you feel mentally prepared.

If you are ready, please continue.

Yesterday morning, my grandmother passed away.
She was 97 years old.

Due to funeral home arrangements and other factors, the wake and funeral will begin tomorrow, and since I had some time today, I decided to write this article.
I thought it might be considered inappropriate, but I have written about various memories with my grandmother in my 'Nan no Hanashi desu ka' (What are you talking about?) articles, and for me, 'Nan no Hanashi desu ka' is synonymous with my family and my grandmother, so I felt I should write this to inform everyone.

Also, I reached the point of 'writing' as a way to organize my feelings and find some peace of mind.

My grandmother seemed to have fallen ill around last week, and she had been gradually recovering since then.
When I saw her the day before yesterday, she seemed a bit less energetic than last month and her cognitive function appeared slightly lower, but I assumed it was just fatigue and thought she would return to her usual energetic self.

As I was leaving, I said, 'I'll come visit again, take care,' and she replied, 'Yes, come back again.'

The next morning, I learned of her passing through a call from my family.
It was so sudden that I couldn't comprehend it.

It is highly likely that she collapsed due to a stroke or some other cause while trying to move from her bed on her own in the middle of the night.

I was actually planning to see her again when she was feeling better, but those words became her last words to me.

I am very sad and have cried a lot, and even now, thinking about it or remembering her makes me cry.
My grandmother was someone who always told many fun and happy stories while laughing. She was the quintessential grandmother who was always meddling and worrying about us.
With her old-fashioned dialect and her own unique ways of doing things, there were so many 'What are you talking about?' moments that made for fun days I wanted to write about here.

My grandmother had six children, three times as many grandchildren, and so many great-grandchildren that it's a hassle to keep track of them, so I'm sure she faced many hardships, but I also think she had many lively and happy times as a result.
Even the funeral director said that it is rare to see a deceased person with such a peaceful smile, and she truly looks so good that I am sure she must have had a wonderful life.

Yesterday, relatives living nearby gathered immediately, and after grieving and crying to our hearts' content, we spent time looking at photos and videos, laughing and having a lively time.
At my aunt's suggestion, we decorated a whiteboard with photos of my grandmother and messages, and for some reason, we all ate a whole cake; it was practically a party (laughs).
I am sure my grandmother was there with us, listening to our jokes and stories, and laughing along with us.

I have cried many times so far, and I know I will cry again, but I am happy that we can send off my late grandmother so brightly, sometimes laughing out loud while sharing memories of her and talking with everyone.

It feels just like my favorite movie, 'Summer Wars,' which makes me happy, and I think every time I watch that movie, I will have a nostalgic feeling as if I am watching my own family. So, in a way, it has become a good memory.

In heaven, my grandfather and our late cat are waiting, so I am sure the two of them and the cat will be able to spend time together peacefully and securely.

Also, in May, I wrote about memories with my family, including my grandmother, in my e-book 'Nan no Hanashi desu ka,' so I hope she can peek down from heaven and enjoy it (laughs).

#WhatAreYouTalkingAbout

Please continue to watch over and enjoy our lively family
from heaven🌈💐
Grandma, thank you for everything until now! I love you🫶
Say hello to Grandpa and the cat for me too👴🐈✨️