I have a younger brother. He is now 15 years old and I'm 21 years old. We have six ages difference. To tell the truth, I have an older brother and a younger sister. But they are not here. They couldn't live only a few times. My mother had my older brother born dead and she miscarried my younger sister. Of course I don't remember about that. But I sometimes dream about my older brother and younger sister since I was told about that from my mother. In my dream, I can't see their faces, but somehow I feel warmed.
Several years ago, I visited their grave for the first time. In Japan, an aborted fetus and a miscarried fetus is called "mizuko". Mizuko is held a memorial service with other babies who lost their lives. And there is "mizuko-zizou" with them. Mizuko-zizou is a guardian deity for the spirits of mizuko. I was surprised to see the place. There were many many confectioneries, toys, tricycles... All of them are present for the babies. Mizuko is gathered together, so we can't find the personal space for each babies such as ordinary graves. But I was glad see them very much. I felt just as I could see my older brother and younger sister. On the point of going home, I told myself that "I'll visit here again."
Young people today don't visit graves of their ancestor or their relatives very much. And I also one of them. But I think that it is very important to express our gratitude to them.
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I often visit my family's grave becasu my important person is sleeping there. When I visit there, I think various things and have to keep trying.
ReplyDeleteI don't know about Mizuko well, but we don't have to forget them.
my godson had passed some time ago. i visited a few times when he had gone. and none since. i feel guilty. i still remember his cute face. blessings to all the innocent souls taken so early. but i know, it was their time, albeit so short.
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