Funeral Service (告別式）

The weather forecast said it would rain today.  But it turned out to be a clear day just as it miraclously was in New York when we visited in April. 
At 12:30 there already were some attendees to see Maria for the last time.   Maria lay waiting for us in the chapel of Kiyose Salvation Army Hospice, with her face made up beautifully. 

The news was sent out the last night.  Despite of the short notice, many managed to attend the service.   I recognized many familiar faces.  Mieko, who lives in Hawaii, happened to be in Japan with her husband and she could see Maria.  Over all, about 50 people paid their last respects.

The service was held with the Salvation Army Church rite.  While the floral tributes, Ave Maria, the music Bob recorded for her, was played.  The ceremony started at 13:30 and ended at 14:30 as planned. 

Sent off by friends, Maria left for Tama Reien crematory.  Her remain was cremated at 4:20 and her soul returned to the heaven.  The cremains were young and healthy and filled the largest urn.

Then she came back to her apartment at Azabu Juban, the home sweet home of hers.

Two of Maria's sisters, Yuri, Naoko ma, Kochi, Ms Grasshopper, and I were together like a family.
We shared the stories of Maria like a family.

Her sister shared that Maria told her she was happy at the end.

"At the age of 54" ... when the minister disclosed her age, we could feel the entire attendees caught their breath in unison as if a taboo was broken.

It is nothing but a funny story in retrospect.

"OMG...  Maria would be upset," Sis Kimi said.
"She was angry in the coffin," somebody else said.
"If the minister had said 'at the age of 56' by mistake, Maria would have jumped out," somebody else said and we all  cried and laughed.

We left around 8:30, bidding the last farewell to Maria's apartment, where we had visited many times.

by Mari
Edited and translated by J. Ujiie

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本日の天気予報は雨・・・・のはずが、4月に訪れましたＮＹの奇跡のようにまたまた
よいお天気となりました。

12時半、既にぽつぽつと早くからまりあさんに会いにいらっしゃる参列のお客様。
救世軍清瀬病院の中にあるチャペルに綺麗にお化粧されたまりあちゃんは横たわってみんなを
待っていました。
急な金曜日の夕方のお知らせにも拘らず、たくさんの方が、参列くださいました。懐かしい顔ぶれが見えました。
ハワイの美恵子さんもご夫妻で偶然の日本滞在でまりあちゃんに会えました。
集まったお客様は50名くらいでしたでしょうか。

救世軍教会式で執り行われた告別式。献花の際にはボブの演奏（ピアノ）するAVE MARIA
のＣＤが流されて、13時半から予定の14時半で終了。
皆さんに見送られて、多磨霊園へと向かい、4時半には火葬され、まりあさんの魂は天に
召されました。　　　骨はしっかりと若く一番大きな骨壷にぎりぎり収まりました。
そして大好きだった麻布十番のマンションへと戻りました。

二人のお姉さんたちと　ゆりさん、なおこかーさん、こち、いなごちゃん、私、なんだか家族のように身内話をわいわい、それぞれのまりあちゃんのエピソード話。
まりあちゃん、最後は幸せだった〜ってお姉さんにいったそうです。
享年54歳　　　年は牧師さんがばらしちゃったの・・・・・
会場が全員ビクンとして、（いいの？）って空気だったのが、あとで笑い話。
「どうしよう・・・まりあに怒られる」っておねえちゃんが言うと、だれかが「お棺の中でも怒っていたね」
「年を間違えて、56歳でも言ったら、とび起きてたね」って、みんなで泣き笑いしました。

8時半ころ解散。
いっぱい通ったまりあちゃんのマンションに本当のさようならを言って、帰ってきました。

by Mari

In Memory of

The Time Has Come （その時）

The following is Mari's account:

Friday afternoon, about 1:30, I got a call from Sis Kyoko. 

I knew it before I heard the news.  The time has come.  "... Mari.  Maria just passed away at 12: 55."

Naoko ma, Inagaki Director (a.k.a. Ms. Grasshopper) and I rushed over to be at the encoffinment ceremony, scheduled at 5:00pm.  Inagaki Director stopped filming Maria when she moved to the hospice.  Her family didn't want her film Maria in her deteriorated condition.  Maria had said to her,  "I want you to film to the end.  Please make it a good documentary."   Between the family's wish and her promise to Maria, Inagaki's mind must have been wavering.  However, she explained that she couldn't find words to convince the family to be left behind.  Too considerate you are, Ms. Grasshopper.

Nothing could have been done.  Sister Kimi held off everybody just like a lioness protecting her cubs.   Naoko ma and I could sense the invisible fences she placed around Maria.

So Ms. Grasshopper rushed over from her heart, not as a job.
We've become sisters with a deep bond.

5 o'clock in the afternoon, Maria was lying on the bed.  Bathed soon after passing, she was brought back to the bed clean and warm.  She didn't look suffering any more and people belived she was sleeping in peace.

Then, with the makeup kit she had prepared for this occasion, including her trademark false eyelashes, she got her makeup done by a nurse. 

She was dressed in the outfit she had chosen for this day and brought from her home in Azabu Juban a week ago, when she believed she would have more time and chose a dress for autumn, her favorite one with a bow on the front.

Ave Maria by Bob was playing.  Sweet and wistful.

Sis Kimi gently said, "Please take a look at her face."
Sis Kimi's look was softened and serene.  You protected her well, Sis Kimi.  Good job.
She told us about Maria's last moments.

Maria had been breathing, with regular up and down movements of the lower jaw.  Then she breathed in deep.  "Hang in, Maria,"  Sis said to her and her chest deflated as she let out the air.  "You can't go on anymore, can you?" "You fought well."   That was Maria's time.

At 5 o'clock, at encoffinment ceremony, Maria's cheek I touched gently was cold and I couldn't stop crying. 

by Mari

edited and translated by J. Ujiie

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その時
金曜の午後、1時半くらい。家にいた私の携帯に京子おねえちゃんから電話。

少しの間でわかっちゃった。その時が来た「…まりちゃん。まりあちゃん、今、亡くなりました。12時55分でした。」

夕方5時の納棺式に間に合うように、なおかーさん、と稲垣Dとかけつけた。稲垣Dはまりあちゃんがホスピスに来て具合が悪くなってからは、もうカメラを回していない。「こんなに弱った姿を撮ってほしくない」という家族の思い、「最後まで撮ってね。いいドキュメンタリーにしてね。」と言っていたまりあちゃんとの約束。心はずっと揺れたままだったはず。でも、残される家族を説得する言葉を見つけることができなかったって。やさしすぎるんだ、いなごちゃん。

仕方なかった。お姉さんは子を守る母ライオンみたいに誰も近寄らせなかったものね。目に見えない檻が私や尚子さんにも見えたもの。
だから、仕事じゃなく、心から駆け付けてくれた。
もう、すっかり仲間。深い絆できてます。

夕方5時、まだベットにまりあちゃんは寝てて、あれからすぐ綺麗にお風呂に入れてもらい、ホカホカになって戻ってきたらしい。もう苦しそうじゃなくて、安らかで眠っているに違いないって思ったって。

それから自分で準備してあった化粧品一式と大事な大事なつけまつげを看護婦さんがメイクしてくれた。
一週間前に麻布十番の家から、今日のこの日に選んで持ってきた服を着せてもらう。その時はもう少し先だと信じていたから、選んだのは秋物のワンピース。お気に入りのリボンが胸にあるやつ。

ボブの演奏する「アヴェ・マリア」が流れてる。優しくて悲しい。

お姉さんが優しく言った「見てやってね」
顔が穏やかに優しくなってる。よく守ったね。キミおねえちゃん、お疲れさま。
まりあちゃんの最後の様子を教えてくれた。

それまで規則正しく顎を上下させていた呼吸だったのに、大きく深呼吸みたいに胸で吸い込んだ。「頑張って。まりあちゃん」と声をかけると、「ふぅー」としぼんで行く胸。「もう、頑張れない？」「がんばったね」
それが、まりあちゃんのその時でした。

納棺式、夕方５時、そっと最後にふれた、まりあちゃんの頬、冷たくて、私は涙が出て止まらなかった。

by Mari

A Butterfly Took Wings

Maria crossed over at 12:55 Japan time today.

In the place of between, where time does not exist
My beloved cat, Lucky
Is waiting for me.
A green stream, a breeze caresses my cheeks.


My heart is released
Feeling love and reflecting on love
I will be reunited with you.
Flowers bloom with joy
Butterflies dance.


Hands of Quan Yin
Lead me to satori


A butterfly never fails to emerge from a chrysalis
Immobile me and
An immobile chrysalis


From outside
You can’t tell
Inside the chrysalis
Metamorphosis is going on


To take wings
Working hard
Day by day.

Poem by Maria Franki

Sleeping with a Calm and Happy Look

As of July 28, Maria is sleeping, breathing lightly, with a calm and happy look on her face, while her sisters watch over at her bedside.  The music, Ave Maria, is playig endlessly in her room.

The hospice does not provide any life-prolonging care.

Ave Maria -- Phone call from Bob

As of July 27th, Maria is still in a coma.

The following is Mari's account:

On Wednesday, I burnt the music Bob had sent me on a CD and handed to Maria's sister, saying, "This is the music Bob performed for Maria. Please play it for her."

Maria was listening to it again and again, endlessly, again and again.

When I was outside of her room, I got an international call from Bob. I ran into her room and placed the phone to her ear for her to hear Bob's voice.

She was unconscious. Her lower jaw was moving up and down as she breathed. Her eyes were open, staring into space, unblinking.

"It's Bob. Can't you hear?"

Bob kept on talking for about three minutes.
Then, I saw her eyes slowly move and a twitch on her cheek.
"She knows it!"
I had no doubt that she could hear his voice.

After the call, I held Maria's hand and searched for her response. There were none, but her hand was very warm.

by Mari

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水曜日、私はボブの送ってくれた、音楽をCDにコピーしてお姉さんに「ボブさんの演奏してる曲だから、かけてあげてね」とお願いした。何回も何回もずっと彼女は聴いていた。繰り返し繰り返し何回も。

ボブから国際電話が私にかかり、外にいた私は直ぐ様、まりあの病室に飛び込んで、彼女の耳にボブの声を聞かせてあげた。
すでに意識はなく、呼吸のため上下する顎。目は開いているけれど、宙を見据えて瞬きもしない。

「ボブだよ。わからないかな…」

3分くらい話し続けてるボブ。
その時、ゆっくり瞳が動いて、片方の頬がピクリ！
「あ、聞こえてる！」
ぜったい聞こえてる。確信しました。

電話が終わると私はまりあちゃんの手を握って反応を確かめてみた。残念ながら何もなかったけれど、手はとっても暖かった。

by Mari

Prayer Request

As of July 26, Maria is in a coma in the Kiyose Hospice.
Please send her love and a prayer for her peaceful transition.

Just before Slipping into a Coma （昏睡）

This is Mari's account of Maria just before slipping into a coma.

Maria slipped into a coma in the early evening Monday. I visited her around 3 o'clock that day. Though Maria was barely able to speak, she could communicate her intent. I could see Maria's playful smile.

I left the hospice around 5 o'clock. Before I left I kissed on her cheek and Maria still tried to be funny. Then in a voiceless voice, she said, "This is the last time to see you, Mari." I said, "No, it isn't. I will come to see you again tomorrow. See you tomorrow." I left her room, nodding in affirmation and waving a hand. I had no doubt that I would see her again the next day.

After I left, Maria called for Yuri and said, "Tell Mr. Sasamoto, Mr. Kojima and Sayaka that I won't be able to see them anymore. I'm sorry."

Knowing that it was her time, Maria cared about her friends to the last minutes.

Then Maria talked with the physician a little. The doctor asked her, "Do you want to eat dinner?" Maria said, "I would like to."

While preparing her for the last meal, she got tired and fell asleep. She kept on sleeping for the next 4 days.

by Mari

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昏睡

まりあちゃんが、眠り始めたのは月曜日の夕方、私はその日の3時くらいにお見舞いに行き、ずいぶん話せなくはなっていたけれど、それでも十分に意志の疎通ができ、茶目っ気たっぷりなまりあちゃんの笑顔に触れることができた。

私が帰ったのは夕方5時くらい。帰りぎわに頬にキスしたら、おどけて見せてくれた。その後、声にならない声で「まりちゃんとは、これで最後ね」と言った。私は「そんなことないわよ！また明日も来るから、明日ね！」うんうんと頷いて手を振ってお部屋を出た。明日もまた会えると信じていた。

私が帰ったあと、ゆりさんを呼んで「笹本さんと小島さんとさやかちゃんに伝えて。ごめんなさい、お見舞いはもう無理です。と」
もう、悟っていたまりあちゃんの最後の最後の気遣い。

そのあとドクターと少し話し、「夕飯をたべますか？ 」と聞くと「食べたい」と答えた。

ベットを起こしたり、準備をする間に疲れ切って眠り始め、それからずっとずっと4日間、眠り続けた。

by Mari

Through the Door in Your Heart

In her last days, Maria was on morphine to relieve her pain and suffering.
Two days before she slipped into a coma, she said to her sister, "Bob came in my room through the door." When her sister said "Good for you," Maria smiled.

In Fall

July 22

Since Maria was admitted to the hospital on May 14, she hasn't been back to her apartment in Azabu Juban.  Maria expressed again and again her strong wish to go home to her apartment, even temporarily.  As her condition deteriorates, it has become more and more difficult.

On July 22,  10 days after her transfer to the hospice, her wish was finally granted.  She was able to spend 3 hours in her apartment.

Maria chose her last outfit from her wardrobe.

It was a fall dress.

The doctor said that she would not make August.

The Day of Two Eels

July 21

Ms. Grasshopper visted Maria.  Maria had a good appetite and ate up a serving of grilled eel, saying "yummy! "   Her sisters came late in the afternoon.  They also brought grilled eel, and Maria ate it up again.  

Her sisters stayed over at the hospice.

Maria is on morphene and she is not feeling pain, nor suffering.  She is alert and able to communicate.  Her spirit is up.

However, the doctor warned that her respiratory muscles wouldn't last another month.

New York

July 18

It was early April in New York.
3 months has past, the seasons has past, and scenery has past.
Now thunder storms and a hot summer.
It's July
here, there, and
in New York, where my ex-husband is.
Though the photos are 3 months old,
When you have time
Please take a look at the photos of Manhattan and
Maria.

Poem by Maria Franki
Edited and translated by J.Ujiie

Hospice

July 12

On July 12, after 2 months in the hospital, Maria was transferred from the hospital in central Tokyo to a hospice operated by the Salvation Army in an outer borough surrounded by trees.

After arriving at the hospice, Maria ate a meal and strolled outside in a reclining wheelchair.   She was rejoiced.  The sparkle returned to her eyes.  The staff of the hospice were knowledgable and caring.    Maria shed a tear of gratitude.  

Looking for Maria's Last Home

July 7

Maria's Sisters and a friend of hers, along with Ms Grasshopper and the camera woman visited a Hospice in an outer borough to see if it would fit Maria's needs.

They found it a wonderful place to be in, with a window to look out to the garden with trees.  The hospice had a facility for visitors to stay overnight.  Even though it was more than one hour by train from the central Tokyo, Maria's friends thought this place could be her last home, and friends could visit more freely than in the hospital because of less restrictions.