My friend Tomohiro Takei posted this message on Facebook. I have translated it in hopes that it provides comfort to us as we face the losses that are a necessary part of living with courage and compassion.
先日、次男の命日に、一周忌の法要を行いました。あれから一年、もう一年です。思いを綴っていたら、こんな感じになってしまいました。ご興味のある方だけ読んで頂ければ。「幸せで完璧だった日々が、突然、もろくも砕け散る。何の前触れもなく、誰の落ち度もなく。」人生がそんな危うさを内包している事を１年前の悲劇から私は知りました。
そして、この１年のもがきの中で伴侶・子供・両親との死別。そんな悲しみや絶望に耐え忍んでいる人が、他の家々の灯りの下にも、珍しくないことに気づく。 誰もがこの道を通る。家族の死は避けられない。
失った日々は、輝きを増す。動画に納められた息子のかわいらしい仕草。家族みんなの笑顔。温かいまなざし。幸せな時間。
ほろ苦く、切なく、美しい。 しかし、それが人生。
満開の桜の花に人生を重ね、涙する心。そんな営みが、私達の社会では、太古の昔から続けられてきた。
しかし、同時に、少しでも笑顔が増える社会を目指して、何世代も前から、私達の先祖は頑張ってきたのだろう。社会の不条理や、病死、犯罪、不慮の事故は減少傾向。
それぞれの持ち場で、それぞれの方が、限りある命を使い、石を一つづつ積み上げてきた結果だ。
自分もその末席に参加しよう。意味あることを何か成し遂げ、命のバトンを繋ぐ。
この１年間ずっと、私達家族に愛を注ぎ、支え続けてくれた方々が、何人かいる。
時に、こちらが満足な対応ができなくとも、何の見返りも求めず、根気強く、暖かい心遣いを頂いた。今の私達に、笑顔が戻ってきたのも、その方々のおかげ。本当に有り難いし、心から頭が下がる。人間は、人の間で生きている。
そんな立派な人間に、私自身はなれないかもしれないが、せめて、触れあった一人一人の命が輝くことに貢献していこう。
そして、産まれ来る小さな命が守られ、家族に笑顔があふれ、ささやかな幸せが守られる社会を作って行こう。責任感と使命感を持って、時代の礎として。
震災後、私達以上の苦しみを耐えてきている方々がたくさんいるはずですが、その苦しみは全く理解できてなかったんだなあと、いまさらながらに思います。
それが人間の限界かもしれませんが、自分にできる生き方を精一杯やり抜きましょう！
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Yesterday was the first anniversary of my son's passing. Since then it's been one year--already one year. Writing down my thoughts, this is what came out.
Completely happy days were suddenly shattered--with no warning and with no one to blame. From that tragedy one year ago I learned that life includes such danger.
Bereavement for my partner, child, and parent. I realized that it's not unusual for people in other households to live bearing that kind of sadness and despair. We all walk that path. No family escapes death.
The more you love, the greater the sense of loss.
As the days of loss pass the struggles increase.
Watching my son's cute behaviors captured in video.
The happy faces of family. Their warm looks. A time of happiness.
A little painful, heartrending, beautiful. But that's life.
Life fills our crying hearts with cherry blossoms in full bloom. This kind of way of being has continued from ancient times. However, at the same time, our ancestors have worked hard, aiming for a world where there are a few more smiles.
And they have built a society where there are fewer injustices, fatal illnesses, crimes, and accidents. This is the result of various people in various places using their limited lives to stack pebbles one by one. I too want to participate in a small way, doing something meaningful and passing the baton of life.
Over the past year many people have given us their love and support. Even when we couldn't sufficiently respond, we continued to receive deep, unconditional, love. [if !supportLineBreakNewLine] [endif]
Now the smiles have returned to our faces because of you. We truly appreciate you and bow our heads with grateful hearts. Humans live in connection.
I may never become such a splendid person, but am determined to contribute to the life struggles of each person that I meet. Let's make a society where we defend the small lives of those born to us, the smiles of families overflow, and we nurture small happiness. May the feeling of responsibility and sense of purpose be the foundation of our times.
Following the great disaster so many people suffered far more than me, but now I realize that I couldn't understand their suffering. That may be our limitations as humans, but let's live life to its fullest!