🌸Wrapped in flowers, my mother departed🌸—Turning my thanks into tears..

On the morning of May 24th, my mother passed away.

I wrote a post about that news5days ago.

Since then, our family has been making preparations, and on May 29th, we said our final goodbyes to my mother. I would like to leave this record on my blog.

🍀 Giving shape to gratitude—Funeral preparations

The funeral was held at our home.

With the help of Fukui Funeral Services, who supported us during my mother-in-law's funeral, we worked together as a family to prepare the altar, the offerings, and the floral tributes. Rather than leaving everything to others, we poured our hearts into every detail as a gesture of gratitude.

And I, serving as the officiant, conducted the funeral and
recited five prayers.

The 'Mitama-utsushi' prayer,
the 'Mitama-shizume' prayer,
the 'Kokubetsu-reisai' prayer,
the 'Sogo-reisai' prayer,

and at the crematorium, the 'Sojo' prayer—.

I recited them, pouring all my feelings for my mother into the words.

🌸 As officiant—'This body is but a temporary loan'

During the funeral, as the officiant, I spoke to everyone.

I spoke about these words from the lyrics of 'Kimi ga Yo wa Yorokobi no Yo'.

The body is a loan from God.
The day we return my mother's body, which was lent to her for 84 years, to the earth.

To her soul—I prayed that she would quickly receive a new body and return to this world again.

And that my mother's heart, having become light (spirit), is still here with us even now.

This is the Tenrikyo concept of 'Denaoshi' (a fresh start).
Even amidst the sorrow, I felt a sense of peace.

🍀 As chief mourner—Choking back tears

After the final floral tribute and before the coffin was taken out.
As the chief mourner and as her son, I tried to express my gratitude to everyone.

I wanted to convey my thanks properly, but the moment I saw the tears of my sons, whom my mother had cherished so dearly, my voice choked up.

While holding back my tears and straining to find my voice, I still managed to give my farewell address until the very end.

Honestly, the fact that I ended up crying might have been the greatest 'thank you' I could offer my mother.

🌸 Mother surrounded by flowers

During the flower offering, each person took a flower and placed it by my mother's side.
Before I knew it, the casket was filled with white and pink petals.

It looked as if my mother was sleeping among the flowers.
I also placed a photo of our whole family smiling together inside.

With the help of everyone who attended, we gently closed the lid.

When we went outside, the sky was spread wide and blue.
It was a beautiful sky.

'Ah, Mom is showing this to me,'
I thought.

🌸 Mother in her younger days

While preparing for the funeral, I found a photograph.
It is a black-and-white picture of my mother in her youth, holding baby me on her lap.

Her smile was so gentle.
The way she held me firmly in her arms said everything.
I felt once again that I had been supported by those hands all along.

Thank you, Mom.

My father passed away at the end of the year three years ago.

When my mother's dementia began to progress, my father was the one who supported her most closely. He fell while caring for her, and due to a cerebral hemorrhage, it led to his passing.

Three years have passed since then. Finally, the two of them have been reunited.
I believe they are smiling together on the other side. 🌸

🌸 After everything is over—it depends on the heart

Everyone will face this moment someday.
How we live until that time.
That becomes the shape of a person's life.
It is the same for everyone.

What kind of life can we, who are left behind, draw from here on out?

Everything, I feel, depends on each individual's 'heart'.

Now that my mother's funeral is over, that is how I feel.

To you, who are reading this article today.

There might be someone right beside you, quiet and unassuming, who is supporting you.

Someone who doesn't force anything, but just stays by your side.
Even if just for today, please try to turn your attention to that person's presence.

I will continue to walk forward, keeping in my heart the 'love that supports from the shadows' and the words 'it depends on the heart' that my mother taught me.

Always by your side, always beside you.
The era of you is an era of joy.

Thank you, Mom.

🌸I am sure you are spending time cheerfully with my mother-in-law, who made her fresh start in February, just like this.

Thank you for reading until the end today.🍀

🌿 Why not join the 'Smile Seed-Sowing Squad' and be active with us!

Click here for the activity schedule and how to participate👇
Smile Seed-Sowing Squad: Purpose and Activity Schedule

🌸 LINE Open Chat
'The world is one big family' Smile Seed-Sowing Squad

https://line.me/ti/g2/Nqjp_b1NmrVRScj0CBb7ihjiv-pf_bAvrlnewg

To you, whose heart was touched by this article.
On my official LINE, I also accept deeper conversations and individual consultations.

📩 Click here for individual consultations

Official LINE:https://lin.ee/UGJywWP

🌸Divine Ritual 'Osazuke'

🍀Profile