Loving Life Blog

I have received two sad news today.

A student peer of mine got assassinated in Sweden in front of his two-year-old son.

My friends grandpa passed away unexpectedly leaving his wife behind after 68 years together.

In memory and honor of those, and sympathy and support for the ones left behind, I am sharing a poem that touched me at the memorial service in loving memory of my friend’s husband who also recently passed away.

When I’m Gone

When I’m gone from our side,
And all our tears have been dried…
Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow;
I am the diamond glints of snow;
I am the sunlight on ripened grain;
I am the gentle autumn’s rain.

When you awaken in the morning hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft star that shines at nigh.

And when you stroll in the evening hours
And smell the aroma of beautiful flowers;
There’ll be no need to sob and cry…
I am not there, I did not die!

– Mary Elizabeth Frye –

Here is the Japanese translation:

千の風になって(A Thousand Winds)

私のお墓の前で 泣かないでください
そこに私はいません 眠ってなんかいません
千の風に 千の風になって
あの大きな空を 吹きわたっています
秋には光になって 畑にふりそそぐ
冬はダイヤのように きらめく雪になる
朝は鳥になって あなたを目覚めさせる
夜は星になって あなたを見守る
私のお墓の前で 泣かないでください
そこに私はいません 死んでなんかいません
千の風に 千の風になって
あの大きな空を 吹きわたっています
千の風に 千の風になって
あの大きな空を 吹きわたっています
あの大きな空を 吹きわたっています

Take really good care of yourselves.

Johanna