Yesterday I found out that Grandma died. It just went bad suddenly when she choked on food her lung collapsed. They tried to code her but she didn't make it. Being in Japan has made it very strange because she had been dead for longer than 14 hours before anyone was able to reach me. I am feeling better now and my host family and my friends have been taking good care of me. People have gotten me so much food that I don't really know what to do with it. So don't worry about me, I am being taken care of.
The hardest part was knowing that I would not be able to bury her. I feel that I really need to do that. So, Schalkoff Sensei, who is in charge of the international students, contacted St. Xavier's church and the Priest said he would say a Mass for her. It is going to be tomorrow at 3:00. The teacher got me out of my classes so I can go to it. Then my friends went and talked to their teachers so that they could be able to go too.
My host family has been really good about it. They told me to call my family on their house phone and they even looked up the country codes for me. I said that it was too expensive but they insisted that I do it. Later they had to go get oil for the heater and, when they came back they had a box of pastries. Being very Japanese, Okaasan said that they bought them because Otousan was hungry for cakes. They split one between them and then said that the rest were for me because they need to go on diets. (Being Japanese, they don't need diets of course)
I am very glad that I can at least have the Mass tomorrow. I have one thing that I need to ask of my friends. Yuroshiku onegaishimasu. In Japan there is a very strong and very apparent belief that the family is a binding and inseparable single unit. The individual only has value as part of the whole. Please take care of me, please take care of my family. They are all very busy. They are busy even moreso now that they are planning the funeral. Also, I know that all of my aunts, cousings, grandpa, and my mom are very sad and probably stressed out. I don't know exactly what they need but they probably need someone to feed them, maybe to drive places, maybe to feed or take care of the dogs. If anyone can please help them I will be very thankful. I wish I could be there to do it but I cannot so right now I need you guys to be my hands and my heart for them. Please see what they need and try to help. I will be praying for you and I hope you will be praying as well.
本とにありがとおございます。
Thank you very much.
Beth
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1 comment:
I am very sorry to hear this Beth. I will definitely keep you and your family in my prayers.
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