a flower in the garden

"When I walk through the garden, I see different kinds of flowers. Each one has a different shape, color, and lifespan. Even on the same tree, each blossom will bloom and wilt in its own time. Everything in the world around me is that way, including people's lives," Mitsuyo shared with me as we stirred sugar into our tea on Sunday afternoon.

Today is the one year anniversary of Megumi Hosoi's death. She would've been 16 years old, and a 2nd year high school student. On Saturday, Crimsen and I went to spend the day with her parents and older brother. Yesterday, following worship, we had a memorial service and then several went to visit her family. Crimsen is there again today.

Approaching this date, I have experienced a variety of feelings and thoughts. Even though I know logically the progression of the grieving cycle, every feeling and thought somehow takes me off guard. On Friday, I was annoyed. Saturday I felt sympathetic and watchful. Yesterday, I felt tired and sad.

Today I've looked at each flower that surrounds me, and I've pondered Mitsuyo's comments. Megumi's life was a short-lived flower in the garden, but it was bright and full of all the sun and water she needed.