Departed over the rainbow...

昨日、石垣島で勤めていた時に出会ったゲストの男性からメールが届いていた。彼は奥様と一緒に勤め先のホテルに来ていたが、その奥様は癌を患っていて、すでに最後のステージだった。友人と自分は偶然に彼らと縁を持つことになった。たぶん４年ほど前のことだ。

I received an email yesterday from a man who was one of the guests that I got to know when I was working in Ishigaki island. He came to my hotel with his wife who was already at the last stage of a fatal cancer then. My friend and I got an opportunity by chance to become acquainted with them. That was probably almost 4 years ago.

彼は２月に奥様が亡くなり、その４９日の法要を終えたという。すでに、友人にも連絡したそうだ。自分はちょっと後悔の思いがある。昨年の１０月に奥様からお誘いを受けた時に訪ねるべきだっただろうか？折角、彼女がお気に入りの神社に案内してくれるというのに。

He said that he already finished a 49 day ceremony this month after her death in last February, and shared it with my friend as well. I had a bit regret feeling if I should've visited her last October immediately after she invited me in her town kindly offering a guide to her favorite shrine there.

彼女が、この世を去ったという事は大変残念だ。とても心の美しい心を持った女性だったと記憶している。旦那様も奥様の為にできる限りのことをしようとなさっていたと思う。会話から、彼らがどうして石垣島を訪ねたのか、何を求めていたのかを教わった。もしかすれば、その後の４年間はその時の旅があればこその時間だったかもしれない。もちろん、奥様の生きる意志と、旦那様の願いでもあっただろう。

I feel really sorry to hear that she's passed away. Such a nice lady with a beautirul heart. Her husband might have tried whatever he could do for her and her longevity since then. Over conversations, we learned why they visited Ishigaki and what they were expecting for from this trip. Her extended 4 years longevity might have been because of a good fortune in their trip... And of course, her will to live and her husband's hope as well.

そう言えば、奥様のお気に入りの神社の名前は何だっただろう？すぐに行こうと思えば行けるんだが。今がそのタイミングかもしれない。

奥様、ゆっくり休まれてください・・・。

石垣島って、本当に不思議な島！

What was the name of her favorite shrine? I can easily visit there if I want to. Maybe this is the timing... I'm replying to him today, and better ask about it.

May she rest in peace...

What a mysterious island Ishigaki is!