Sunday, 3rd August 2025
My mother's funeral
A Buddhist priest came and recited long sutras.
We placed flowers in the coffin and then closed the lid.
When I touched her forehead, it felt cold.
She was cremated, and her remains were white bones.
Nobody cried or shed tears.
I think I'm hurt deep down inside, and it will take a long time to heal.
Incidentally, I'm a big fan of Akiko Yano, who is a Japanese pianist and singer-songwriter.
She wrote a song called 'All the Bones Are White' in the 1990s.
At that time, Tutsi and Hutu fought in Africa and many people died.
However, everyone's bones are white.
I remember Yano talking about this and then playing the song in her concert.
Here is the translation of the lyrics:
"All The Bones Are White"
I miss them, who loved me so much, that person
I can meet them again, someday
The wind stops at my shoulder as I hold it close
Those days when I thought I could do anything
I see now how forgiving they were
What a pity, this thought
When I really miss them, they're in my heart
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