Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Memorial Sevice

We held my mother's 13th and brother's 3rd memorial service today.

These pictures were taken about half a century ago when my late bro and I were elementary school students. And we were at our city-park which has lake, amazement section and botanical garden. When I was preparing this post, I smiled the way how we preened for the camera (hope this is the right expression). And my mom was wearing casual kimono in the picture, even at that time not many women in Japan wore kimono in daily life. I remember she loved them and it is also my sweet memory with her seeing her change into diffrent type of clothes looking feminine, sprucing up a little, p;)  She taught me how to wear them and fold them when we put them back to the closet; but I could not master to tie Obi "帯" (^^;)

Despite the fact that my father is not in any condition to attend the service or no one lives there, I wished to hold it at my parent's house. I appreciate my relatives to get togather for mom and bro. After the family monk's service, we visited the grave and moved to the lunch place. We (aunts and cousins) really had nice time talking as these services are the good chances to see them. Typhoon was approaching and might have taken the course close to our area. Whew, it made me worried a bit but it didn't, I am so relieved it all went without a hitch.    

We are in the equinoctial week now.  This flower, "cluster amaryllis" blooms during this season, is called "彼岸花. higanbana" in Japanese and Higan means the special river. Buddhists believe that on the day of the equinox, the sun rises from the exact east and sets in the exact west, and the spirits of the dead can cross the river which divides this world and the other world.  
                 
                              *I wish to dedicate this flower to them*

 Thank you so much for stopping by.  I'll visit you soon from tomorrow♡♡♡ 


21 comments:

  1. Such an emotional post today, simply touching. Sorry for your loss!

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  2. Miyako, what a lovely tribute to your Mom and brother. A very touching post. Sorry for your loss. I love the pretty flower, gorgeous image. I wish you a happy week ahead.

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  3. Sehr schön diese Erinnerung...

    Lieben Gruß
    CL

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  4. A beautiful, loving tribute to your mom and brother, my dear friend Miyako. I'm so glad your aunts and cousins were there.

    I would have loved to have seen your mom demonstrating how to master the obi and fold the kimono. My 7th graders just finished a novel having to do with Japanese culture and we visited a Museum of Asian Culture, but no one could show us how to properly fasten an obi.

    I hope you spend the day basking in lovely memories and that all typhoons detour away from you!

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  5. A lovely tribute to your mother and brother. Miyako, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you at this time my dear bs. Love always

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  6. Such a beautiful post, Miyako. It touched my heart. I am glad the typhoon didn't affect the service and you were able to spend time with your family. Our loved ones are never far from our thoughts. xo

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  7. Miyako what a sweet post. Thank you for sharing. I loved how you framed the photos. It looks like you do some scrap booking. It looks really nice.

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  8. that is so sweet. i am glad the memorial and family gathering went well and was not disrupted by the weather. :)

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  9. Miyako, this post was very sweet and heartfelt. What a special way to honor those that have passed on before you. I'm sure it was quite an emotional day for you. Blessings to you my friend!

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  10. Hi Miyako san I'm glad the memorial service went well without taifu hitting the area! Wonderful memories you have...I love the episode that your brother and you preened for camera :-) That made smile, too !
    The photo of higanbana is so beautiful. I love this beautiful flower.
    Have a wonderful week, Miyako san!

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  11. How lovely you could get together for visit at the Memorial. It is always lovely to see family.
    I was watching the weather and happy to see that typhoon went some place else !
    The flowers are beautiful and what a lovely post so we can learn about them.
    Much love and many hugs to you.

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  12. What a beautiful, touching post, Miyako. I am so happy that your relatives were there to share in the Memorial for your mother and brother. Glad the typhoon went in a different direction.
    Hugs from Minnesota

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  13. What a delightful post dear friend Miyako, and such a lovely tribute to your dear mum and brother. It was good for you to meet up with cousins and aunts on this occasion. The kimono is such a lovely form of dress. I still miss my mum, even now, and she has been gone for many years, but I love the idea about crossing the river. Sending love and hugs your way dear friend. x

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  14. Dearest Miyako,

    Lovely post about your dear Mom and brother. So now I know, I cannot ask you for help with my Obi... Would love to put it on just once and correct!
    Sweet photos and memories and glad that the typhoon did not disrupt any of the solemn ceremonial.
    Hugs to you and thanks for showing the special higanbana.
    Mariette

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  15. Dear Miyako,

    Such a lovely tribute to your dear Mother and brother, with the memorial service. So glad the typhoon did not effect you and it all went without a hitch.
    We are in the Equinoctial week here too and have a lot of wind.
    Love the pretty higanbana and that you dedicated the flower to your loved ones.

    Sending hugs
    Carolyn

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  16. I should have said the cluster amaryllis is beautiful and lovely that you dedicated the flower to your loved ones.

    Hugs
    Carolyn

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  17. Dearest Miyako san,

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!
    あなたへの幸せな第57回目の誕生日!
    Lots of hugs from your virtual American friend,

    Mariette

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  18. Dear Miyako, I didn't know you were celebrating a birthday. Happy Happy Happy Birthday!
    This is a heartfelt post, a really lovely tribute to your mom and brother! I think it was good for you to meet up with your cousins and aunts on this occasion.

    Have a wonderful day my friend!
    Hugs, Gaby

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  19. What an emotional time it must be for you and as I have said before I think the memorial service is such a great idea.....

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  20. I'm so pleased to hear the typhoon passed you by and didn't disturb your memorial to you mum and brother.
    That is such a pretty flower :)

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  21. This is such a beautiful post and I not only adore the Buddhist equinox tradition, I also agree. It is lovely.

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