Miu, Holding My Mother’s Hand

We had planned to scatter my father’s ashes on November 3.

But beforehand, we were told that the harbour in Hayama would be closed for three days.

Our family had arranged to spend a night in Atami, then head to Hayama the following day.The scattering was postponed, but we decided to go ahead with the trip.

We would spend the time together to mark the forty-ninth day after my father’s death.

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During the trip, my sister’s eldest daughter, Miu, asked me to help with her Indian visa application.

She would soon be travelling to India on her own.

Last year, she took part in an NGO’s work in the Philippines.The organisation also works in India, and this time she would be joining them there.

But she was having trouble with the visa application.After struggling with it for about four days, she had apparently reached a point where she could go no further.

With some help from AI, we worked through the process together and managed to submit it.

Just when we thought that was sorted, a message arrived the next day, while we were all eating sashimi served on a boat-shaped platter: her application photo had been rejected.

They wanted her to send another one.

We took a photograph there and then, used AI to make the background white, and resubmitted it.

Yesterday, her visa was finally issued.

I was glad it came through in time.

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The weather was poor on November 2, but the following day was beautifully clear.

We all went to Cape Manazuru and enjoyed the view of the sea.

My mother is unsteady on her feet, and Miu stayed beside her the whole time.She held her hand and helped her walk.

Meanwhile, my sister’s younger daughter, ten-year-old Nayuu, stayed close to me.

I carried her, and we played on the swings.She is still young enough to climb onto my lap.

Come to think of it, Miu used to sit on my lap until she was about fifteen.

She had already grown quite tall by then. I remember letting her sit there while thinking what a rather surreal sight we must have made.

That same Miu now holds my mother’s hand.

She is twenty now.

And soon, she will be boarding a plane to India on her own.

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My sister’s son, fifteen-year-old Kou, is preparing for his high school entrance exams.He plans to apply to the school that my mother, my sister, and I all attended.

I have known all three since they were born, and each is growing up in their own way.Watching them, I feel how much time has passed for me too.

This time, I helped Miu with her visa, and she helped my mother walk.

Nayuu is still sitting on my lap.